FRA F 6180.4e Sample Car Checklist for: Fixed-end Low-side Gondola and

Sample Car Inspection Checklist for:
Fixed-end low-side gondola and low-side hopper cars §231.4
(Cars with sides 36 inches or less above the floor are low-side cars)

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Railroad Administration

Inspector(s):

Inspection Location:

Builder:

Car Initials & Number:

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Item
Hand
Brake

Brake
Step

Car Type:

(All brackets used solely to support safety appliances are mechanically fastened per MP&E TB 98-14)

Except for box and other house cars that comply with either 231.27 or 231.28, each box and
other house car shall be equipped to meet the following specifications:
G One efficient handbrake which shall operate in harmony with the power brake installed on
the car.
G Each such handbrake shall provide the same degree of safety as the design shown on plate
A.
G Or provide the same degree of safety as that specified in 231.27.
G The brake shaft shall be not less than 1¼ inches in diameter, of wrought iron or steel
without weld.
G The brake wheel may be flat or dished, not less than 15 inches in diameter of malleable
iron, wrought iron, or steel
G The handbrake shall be so located that it can be safely operated while car is in motion.
G The brake shaft shall be located on end of car to the left of, and not more than 22 inches
from center.
G There shall be not less than four inches clearance around rim of brake wheel.
G Outside edge of brake wheel shall be not less than four inches from a vertical plane parallel
with end of car and passing through the inside face of knuckle when closed with coupler
horn against the buffer block or end sill.
G Brake chain shall be of not less than d, preferably 7/16, inch wrought iron or steel, with a
link on the brake rod end of not less than 7/16 inch wrought iron or steel. 1
G Brake wheel shall be held in position on brake shaft by a nut on a threaded extended end of
brake shaft; said threaded portion shall be not less than three-fourths of an inch in diameter;
said nut shall be secured by riveting over or by the use of a lock nut or suitable cotter.

G If brake step is used, it shall be not less than 28 inches in length.
G Outside edge shall be not less than eight inches from face of car and not less than four
inches from a vertical plane parallel with end of car and passing through the inside face of
knuckle when closed with coupler horn against the buffer block or end sill.
G Brake step shall be supported by not less than two metal braces having a minimum
cross-sectional area d x 1½ inches or equivalent, which shall be securely fastened to body
of car with not less than ½ inch bolts or rivets.

FRA F 6180.4e

Page 1 of 5

OMB No. 2130-XXXX
Rev. 06/24/2004

Date:

Region:

Cars to be Built:

Builder Job #

CFR
Reference*

231.1(a)(1)
231.1(a)(1)(i)
231.1(a)(1)(ii)
231.1(a)(2)(i)
231.1(a)(2)(ii)
231.4(a)(3)(i)
231.4(a)(3)(ii)
231.1(a)(4)(i)
231.1(a)(4)(ii)
231.1(a)(4)(vi)
231.1(a)(4)(xiii)

231.1(b)

231.1(b)(1)

Notes

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Item
Sill
Steps

(All brackets used solely to support safety appliances are mechanically fastened per MP&E TB 98-14)

G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G

Side
Handholds

Four sill steps
Minimum cross-sectional area ½ x 1½ 2 inches, or equivalent 3 of wrought iron or steel.
Minimum length of tread, ten inches.
Minimum clear depth, eight inches. 4
One near each end of each side of car, so that there shall be not more than 18 inches from
end of car to center of tread of sill step.
Outside edge of tread of step shall be not more than four inches inside of face of side of car.
Tread shall be not more than 24, inches above the top of rail.
Sill steps exceeding 21inches in depth shall have an additional tread.
Sill steps shall be securely fastened with not less than ½ inch bolts with nuts outside (when
possible) and riveted over, or with not less than ½ inch rivets.

Number ~ Four. (Tread of side ladder is a side handhold.)
Minimum diameter, e of an inch, wrought iron or steel. 2
Minimum clear length, 16 inches
Minimum clearance, two inches.
Horizontal, one near each end on each side of car, not less than 24 nor more than 30
inches above center line of coupler, if car construction will permit, but handhold shall not
project above top of side. Clearance of outer end of handhold shall be not more than 8
inches from end of car.
G Side handholds shall be securely fastened with not less than ½ inch bolts with nuts outside
(when possible) and riveted over, or with not less than ½ inch rivets.

G
G
G
G
G

FRA F 6180.4e

Page 2 of 5

CFR
Reference*
231.1(d)(1)
231.1(d)(2)
231.1(d)(3)(i)
231.1(d)(3)(ii)
231.1(d)(3)(iii)
231.1(d)(4)(i)
231.1(d)(4)(ii)
231.1(h)(1)
231.1(h)(2)
231.4(d)(3)(i)

231.1(h)(4)

Notes

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Item
Horizontal
End
Handholds

(All brackets used solely to support safety appliances are mechanically fastened per MP&E TB 98-14)

G
G
G
G
G
G

G
G

G
Uncoupling
Levers

Eight or more, four on each end of car. (Tread of end ladder is an end handhold.)
Minimum diameter, e of an inch, wrought iron or steel. 2
Minimum clear length, 16 inches, preferably 24 inches.
A handhold 14 inches in length may be used where it is impossible to use one 16 inches in
length.
Minimum clearance, two inches.
One near each side on each end of car, not less than 24 nor more than 30 inches above
center line of coupler, except as provided above, when tread of end ladder is an end
handhold. Clearance of outer end of handhold shall be not more than eight inches from side
of car.
One near each side of each end of car on face of end sill or sheathing over end sill,
projecting outward or downward. Clearance of outer end of handhold shall be not more than
16 inches from side of car.
On each end of cars with platform end sills 6 or more inches in width, measured from end
post or siding and extending entirely across end of car, there shall be one additional end
handhold not less than 24 inches in length, located near center of car, not less than 30 nor
more than 60 inches above platform end sill.
Horizontal end handholds shall be securely fastened with not less than ½ inch bolts with
nuts outside (when possible) and riveted over, or with not less than ½ inch rivets.

G Two uncoupling levers.
G May be either single or double, and of any efficient design.
G Handles of uncoupling levers, except those shown on Plate B or of similar designs, shall be
not more than six inches from side of car. (Plate B is the primary application you will see)
G Uncoupling levers of design shown on plate B and of similar designs shall conform to the
following prescribed limits:
G Handles shall be not more than 12 inches from sides of car. Center lift arms shall be not
less than 7 inches long.
G Center of eye at end of center lift arm shall be not more than 3 ½ inches beyond center of
eye of uncoupling pin of coupler when horn of coupler is against the buffer block or end sill.
(See plate B.)
G End of handles shall extend not less than four inches below bottom of end sill or shall be so
constructed as to give a minimum clearance of two inches around handle. Minimum drop of
handles shall be 12 inches; maximum, 15 inches overall (see Plate B).
G One on each end of car. When single lever is used, it shall be placed on left side of end of
car.

FRA F 6180.4e

Page 3 of 5

CFR
Reference*
231.1(i)(1)
231.1(i)(2)(i)
231.1(i)(2)(ii)
231.1(i)(2)(iii)
231.1(i)(3)(i)

231.1(i)(3)(ii)
231.1(i)(3)(iii)

231.1(i)(4)
231.1(k)(1)
231.1(k)(2)(i)
231.1(k)(2)(ii)
231.1(k)(2)(iii)
231.1(k)(2)(iv)
231.1(k)(2)(v)
231.1(k)(3)

Notes

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Item

(All brackets used solely to support safety appliances are mechanically fastened per MP&E TB 98-14)

End
Ladder
Clearance

G No part of car above end sills within 30 inches from side of car, except buffer block, brake
shaft, brake step, brake wheel or uncoupling lever shall extend to within 12 inches of a
vertical plane parallel with end of car and passing through the inside face of knuckle when
closed with coupler horn against the buffer block or end sill, and no other part of end of car
or fixtures on same above end sills, other than exceptions noted in this subparagraph, shall
extend beyond the outer face of buffer block.

Other
CFR
Sections

G Inspect all components to ensure compliance with the regulations.
G Ensure all brake components are located so that an inspection can be safely conducted
without an inspector placing himself in a precarious or unsafe position, (TB MP&E 98-32).

Misc.

G Check for any sharp or protruding objects or areas on the equipment that may create a
safety concern or personal injury.
G Check for potential pinch points at all safety appliance arrangements.
G Check to ensure that all brackets used solely to support a safety appliance are mechanically
fastened. The use of weld on brackets is prohibited.
G Check to ensure compliance with all applicable federal regulations.
G Verify coupler height 31½ inch minimum, 34½ inch maximum.

Digital
Photos

CFR
Reference*

Notes

231.4(g)(1

231.31(a)(1)

G General Arrangement Photo Sheet ~ No Deviations Noted (6 photos minimum, A & B ends,
each corner at 45 degree angle)
G Deviation Photo Sheet ~ Deviations Noted: As many photos as necessary to fully depict,
document and illustrate CFR deviations (e.g. 215, 229, 231 & 232)

* The CFR reference sections noted throughout the check list refers to the actual regulatory requirement.
Footnotes:
1 TB MP&E 98-53 ...d inch alloy chain and ½ inch steel alloy chain currently being used by new car manufacturers exceed the specifications.
2 TB MP&E 98-18 Ladder treads, handholds of circular cross-section, 13/16 inch diameter and sill steps, e inch thick and 2 inches wide, when constructed of
6061-T6 aluminum alloy exceeds the current Federal Railroad Administration's requirements.
3 Equivalent must meet or exceed the cross sectional area the result of which may not be less than ¾ inch.
4 TB MP&E 98-13 Clear depth means a vertical space the width of, and above the sill step material or strap and should be clear and unobstructed for 8 inches
5 Variance allowed due to construction of car. Note exception on F6180.4.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Equipment that is not adequately addressed in Part 231. For examples: There are no ladder requirements in §§231.29 or 231.30. However,
if additional safety appliances are used on any type of equipment, (i.e., §231.18 Cars of special construction), they must meet the dimension, location, and a manner of
application requirements. This logic holds true regardless of the equipment inspected. When applying §231.6 during a sample-car inspection on an auto rack, you will
encounter components not mentioned in that section such as ladders, stenciling, end ladder clearance, etc. These additional components must meet the appropriate
requirements. If there is any doubt, consult your regional specialist.

FRA F 6180.4e

Page 4 of 5

Pubic reporting burden for this information collection is estimated to average 60 minutes per response. This estimate includes the time for reviewing each page of the
checklist. According to the paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control
number. The valid OMB control number for this collection of information is 2130-XXXX.

FRA F 6180.4e

Page 5 of 5