FRA F6180.4j Sample Car Checklist for: Tank Cars without End Sills (S

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Railroad Administration

Sample Car Inspection Checklist for:
Tank cars without end sills - §231.9

Inspector(s):

Inspection Location:

Builder:

Car Initials & Number:

Item
Hand
Brake

Brake
Step

Car Type:

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application
All brackets used solely to support safety appliances are mechanically affixed, except tank car tanks 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 Each 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 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 6180.4j

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)
231.9(a)(3)
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

Item
Running
Boards

Sill Steps

Side
Handholds

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application
All brackets used solely to support safety appliances are mechanically affixed, except tank car tanks per MP&E TB 98-14

CFR
Reference*

One.
Minimum width on sides, 10 inches. Minimum width on ends, 6 inches.
Continuous around sides and ends of tank.
If running boards are applied below center of tank, outside edge of running boards shall
extend not less than 7 inches beyond bulge of tank.
G Running boards at ends of car shall be not less than 6 inches from a point vertically above
the inside face of knuckle when closed with coupler horn against the buffer block, end sill
or back stop.
G Running boards shall be securely fastened to tank or tank bands.

231.9(c)(1)
231.9(c)(2)
231.9(c)(3)
231.9(c)(4)(i)

G Four sill steps. (If tank has high running boards, making ladders necessary, sill steps must
meet ladder requirements)
G Minimum cross-sectional area ½ x 1½ 2 inches, or equivalent 3 of wrought iron or steel.
G Minimum length of tread, ten inches.
G Minimum clear depth, eight inches. 4
G One near each end on each side, flush with outside edge of running board as near end of
car as practicable.
G Tread shall be not more than 24, inches above the top of rail.
G Steps exceeding 18 inches in depth shall have an additional tread and be laterally braced.
G 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.

231.9(d)(1)

Four or more.
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 over sill step on running board, not
more than 2 inches back from outside edge of running board, projecting downward or
outward.
Where such side handholds are more than 18 inches from end of car, an additional
handhold must be placed near each end on each side not more than 30 inches above
center line of coupler.
Clearance of outer end of handhold shall be not more than 12 inches from end of car.
If safety railings are on tank, four additional vertical handholds shall be applied, one over
each sill step on tank.
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.

231.9(e)(1)
231.1(h)(2)

G
G
G
G

G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G

FRA F 6180.4j

Page 2 of 5

231.9(c)(4)(ii)
231.9(c)(4)(iii)

231.1(d)(2)
231.9(d)(3)(i)
231.9(d)(3)(ii)
231.9(d)(4)(i)
231.9(d)(4)(ii)

231.9(e)(3)(i)
231.9(e)(3)(ii)
231.9(e)(3)(iii)
231.9(e)(3)(iv)
231.1(h)(4)

Notes

Item
End
Handholds

Safety
Railings

Uncoupling
Levers

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application
All brackets used solely to support safety appliances are mechanically affixed, except tank car tanks per MP&E TB 98-14

CFR
Reference*

Four.
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.
G Minimum clearance, two inches.
G Horizontal, one near each side on each end of car on running board, not more than 2
inches back from edge of running board projecting downward or outward, or on end of tank
not more than 30 inches above center line of coupler.
G 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.

231.9(f)(1)
231.1(i)(2)(i)

G One.
G Minimum diameter, f of an inch, wrought iron or steel. Minimum clearance, 2½ inches.
G Safety railings shall be continuous around sides and ends of car, not less than 30 nor more
than 60 inches above running board.
G Safety railings shall be securely fastened to tank or tank bands and secured against end
shifting.

231.9(g)(1)
231.9(g)(2)
231.9(g)(3)

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.
G Except that minimum length of uncoupling lever shall be 42 inches, measured from center
line of end of car to handle of lever. (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.
G Except that uncoupling lever shall be not more than 30 inches above center line of coupler.

231.1(k)(1)

G
G
G
G

FRA F 6180.4j

Page 3 of 5

231.1(i)(2)(ii)
231.1(i)(2)(iii)
231.9(f)(3)(i)
231.1(i)(4)

231.9(g)(4)

231.1(k)(2)(i)
231.9(h)(2)
231.1(k)(2)(ii)
231.1(k)(2)(iii)
231.1(k)(2)(iv)
231.1(k)(2)(v)
231.1(k)(3) &
231.9(h)(3)

Notes

Item

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application
All brackets used solely to support safety appliances are mechanically affixed, except tank car tanks per MP&E TB 98-14

End
Ladder
Clearance

G No part of car above buffer block within 30 inches from side of car, except brake shaft,
brake-shaft brackets, 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 back stop, and no other part of end of
car or fixtures on same, above buffer block, other than exceptions herein noted, shall
extend beyond the 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

231.9(i)(1)

231.31(a)(1)

G General Arrangement Photo Sheet ~ No Deviations Noted (six 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 6180.4j

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 6180.4j

Page 5 of 5