FRA F 6180.4m Sample Car Inspection Checklist for: Box and Other House

Sample Car Inspection Checklist for:
Box and other house cars with roof hatches- § 231.28
(Built or placed in service after October 1, 1966)

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Railroad Administration

Inspector(s):

Inspection Location:

Builder:

Car Initials & Number:

Car Type:

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Item

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

General

The specifications of §231.27 shall apply:

Hand
Brake

One handbrake on end of car - ascertain the following:
G The handbrake may be of any efficient design, but must provide the same degree of safety
as, or a greater degree of safety than, the following;
G Each box or other house car without roof hatches shall be equipped with an efficient vertical
hand brake shall operate in harmony with power brake.
G The handbrake may be of any efficient design, but must provide a total braking force
applied to brake shoes not less than the total force applied to the brake shoes by the brake
cylinders at 50 pounds per square inch.
G The brake wheel may be deep or shallow, of malleable iron, wrought iron, steel, or other
material of equivalent strength.
G Overall diameter of brake wheel nominally 22 inches.
G Brake wheel and drum shall be arranged so that both will revolve when applying and
gradually releasing the handbrake. Handbrake shall be provided with means to prevent
application of the brake by winding in a counterclockwise direction.
G All hand brake chains shall be not less than 9/16 inch BBB coil chain. 1
G All handbrake rods shall be not less than ¾ inch diameter.
G The handbrake shall be so located that it can be safely operated from horizontal end
platform while car is in motion.
G The brake shaft shall be located on end of car, to the left of and not less than 17 nor more
than 22 inches from center.
G The brake shaft shall be located not less than 26 nor more than 40 inches above top of
end-platform tread.
G Brake wheel shall be held in position on brake shaft by a nut on a threaded extended end of
brake shaft; said thread portion shall be not less than ¾ of an inch in diameter; said nut
shall be secured by riveting over or by the use of a locknut or suitable cotter.
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 Handbrake housing shall be securely fastened to car.

FRA F 6180.4m

Page 1 of 10

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

Date:

Region:

Cars to be Built:

Builder Job #

CFR
Reference*

Notes

231.27(a)
231.27(a)(1)(i)
231.27(a)(1)(ii)
231.27(a)(2)(i)
231.27(a)(2)(ii)
231.27(a)(2)(iv)
231.27(a)(2)(vi)
231.27(a)(2)(vii)
231.27(a)(3)(i)
231.27(a)(3)(ii)

231.27(a)(4)(i)
231.27(a)(4)(ii)
231.27(a)(4)(iii)

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Item
Running
Boards

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

G Same as specified below, except the end of longitudinal running board shall be not less
than six inches from a vertical plane parallel with end of car and passing through the inside
face of knuckle when closed with coupler horn against buffer block or end sill.
G One longitudinal running board. On outside-metal-roof cars two latitudinal extensions.
(Newer covered hoppers utilize two longitudinal running boards, one on each side of the
roof hatches, rather than one down the middle of car.)
G Longitudinal running board shall be not less than 18 and preferably 20 inches in width.
Latitudinal extensions shall be not less than 24 inches in width.
G Full length of car, center of roof. On outside-metal-roof cars there shall be two latitudinal
extensions from longitudinal running board to ladder locations, except on refrigerator cars
where such latitudinal extensions cannot be applied on account of ice hatches.
G Running board shall be continuous from end to end and not cut or hinged at any point:
Provided, that the length and width of running board may be made up of a number of pieces
securely fastened to saddle-blocks with screws, bolts, or rivets.
G The ends of longitudinal running board shall be not less than 6 nor more than 10 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 endsill; and if more than 4 inches
from edge of roof of car, shall be securely supported their full width by substantial metal
braces. (For running board extensions, see MP&E TB 98-23)
G Running board shall be securely fastened to car and be made of wood or of material which
provides the same as or a greater degree of safety than wood of 1c inches thickness.
When made of material other than wood the tread surface shall be of anti-skid design and
constructed with sufficient open space to permit the elimination of snow and ice from the
tread surface.

FRA F 6180.4m

Page 2 of 10

CFR
Reference*
231.28(a)
231.1(c)(1)
231.1(c)(2)
231.1(c)(3)
231.1(c)(4)(i)
231.1(c)(4)(ii)

231.1(c)(4)(iii)

Notes

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Item
End
Platforms

Sill
Steps

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

CFR
Reference*

Two end platforms.
Width not less than eight inches; length, not less than 60 inches. 6
Centered on each end of car.
Not more than eight inches above top of center sill.
Each end platform shall be securely supported by not less than three metal braces having a
minimum cross sectional area of d x 1½ inches or equivalent, which shall be securely
fastened to body of car with not less than ½ inch bolts or rivets.
G Where conventional draft gear or cushioning device having longitudinal travel less than six
inches is used the outside edge of each end platform shall be not less than 12 inches from
a vertical plane parallel with end of car and passing through the inside face of knuckle when
closed with coupler horn against buffer block. Where cushioning device having longitudinal
travel six inches or more is used the outside edge of each end platform shall be not less
than six inches from a vertical plane parallel with end of car and passing through the inside
face of knuckle when closed with end sill and cushioning device at full buff. Tread surface
shall be of anti-skid design and constructed with sufficient open space to permit the
elimination of snow and ice from the tread surface.

231.27(b)(1)
231.27(b)(2)
231.27(b)(3)

G Four sill steps.
G Minimum cross-sectional area ½ x 1½ 2 inches, or equivalent 3 of wrought iron, steel, or
other material of equivalent strength.
G Minimum length of tread, ten inches.
G Minimum clear depth, eight inches. 4
G One near each end of each side of car, so that there shall be no more than 18 inches from
end of car to center of tread of sill step.
G Outside edge of tread of step shall be not more than four inches inside of face of side of
car.
G Tread shall be not more than 24, inches above the top of rail.
G Sill steps exceeding 21 inches in depth shall have an additional tread.
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.

231.27(c)(1)
231.27(c)(2)

G
G
G
G
G

FRA F 6180.4m

Page 3 of 10

231.27(b)(4)(i)
231.27(b)(4)(ii)

231.27(c)(3)(i)
231.27(c)(3)(ii)
231.27(c)(3)(iii)
231.27(c)(4)(i)
231.27(c)(4)(ii)

Notes

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Item
Ladders

(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
G
G
G
G
G
End Ladder
Clearance

Two.
Minimum clear length of tread 16 inches.
Maximum spacing between treads 19 inches.
One on each end of car not more than eight inches from left-hand side.
Top ladder tread shall be located not less than 12 nor more than 18 inches from roof at
eaves. 5
Spacing of side ladder treads shall be uniform within a limit of two inches from top ladder
tread to bottom tread of ladder
Maximum distance from bottom tread of side ladder to top tread of sill step, 21 inches.
End ladder treads shall be spaced to coincide with treads of side ladders, a variation of two
inches being allowed. Where construction of car will not permit the application of a tread of
end ladder to coincide with bottom tread of side ladder, the bottom tread of end ladder must
coincide with second tread from bottom of side ladder.
Iron or steel treads, minimum diameter e of an inch. 2
Minimum clearance of treads, two inches.
One on each side, not more than eight inches from right end of car; one on each end, not
more than eight inches from left side of car; measured from inside edge of ladder stile or
clearance of ladder treads to corner of car.
Metal ladders without stiles near corners of cars shall have foot guards or upward
projections not less than two inches in height near inside end of bottom treads.
Stiles of ladders, projecting two or more inches from face of car, will serve as foot guards.
Ladders 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 No part of car above end sills within 30 inches from side of car, except buffer block, brake
shaft, brake wheel, end platform, horizontal end handholds, 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 the coupler horn against the buffer block or end sill and
cushioning device (if used) at full buff, and no other part of end of car or fixtures on same
above end sill, other than exceptions herein noted, shall extend beyond outer face of buffer
block.

FRA F 6180.4m

Page 4 of 10

CFR
Reference*
231.28(b)(1)
231.28(b)(2)(i)
231.28(b)(2)(ii)
231.28(b)(3)
231.1(e)(2)(ii)
231.1(e)(2)(iii)
231.1(e)(2)(iv)
231.1(e)(2)(v)

231.1(e)(2)(vii)
231.1(e)(2)(viii)
231.1(e)(3)(i)
231.1(e)(4)(i)
231.1(e)(4)(ii)
231.1(e)(4)(iii)
231.27(d)

Notes

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Item
Roof
Handholds

Side
Handholds

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

CFR
Reference*

G Two, one over each ladder.
G Minimum diameter, e of an inch, wrought iron or steel. Minimum clear length, 16 inches.
Minimum clearance, 2 inches.
G One, on roof of car parallel to treads of each ladder, not less than eight nor more than 15
inches from edge of roof, except on refrigerator cars where ice hatches prevent, when
location may be nearer edge of roof.
G Roof 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.

231.28(c)(1)
231.1(g)(2)

G 16 Side handholds.
G Minimum diameter, e of an inch. 2
G Minimum clear length, 16 inches, wrought iron, steel, or other material of equivalent
strength
G Minimum clearance, two inches.
G Horizontal; four near each end and on each side of car spaced not more than 19 inches
apart.
G Bottom handhold shall be located not more than 21 inches from top tread of sill step.
G Top handhold (applies only to top handhold), shall coincide in height with top end handhold,
a variation of two inches being allowed.
G Spacing of side handholds shall be uniform within a limit of two inches from top handhold to
bottom handhold.
G Clearance of outer ends of handholds shall be not more than eight 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 Each bottom handhold shall have foot guard or upward projection not less than two inches
in height near inside end.

231.27(e)(1)
231.27(e)(2)

FRA F 6180.4m

Page 5 of 10

231.28(c)(3)
231.1(g)(4)

231.27(e)(3)

231.27(e)(4)

Notes

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Item
End
Handholds

Horizontal
End
Platform
Handholds

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

CFR
Reference*

16 End handholds. (Treads of end ladders are end handholds.)
Minimum diameter, e of an inch. 2
Minimum clear length, 16 inches.
Minimum clearance, two inches.
Horizontal; four near each side on each end of car spaced not more than 19 inches apart.
Bottom handhold shall be located not more than 21 inches from top tread of sill step.
Top handhold shall coincide in height with end platform handhold, a variation of two inches
being allowed.
G Clearance of outer ends of handholds shall be not more than eight inches from side of car.
G 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 Each bottom handhold shall have foot guard or upward projection not less than two inches
in height near inside end.

231.27(f)(1)
231.27(f)(2)(i)
231.27(f)(2)(ii)
231.27(f)(2)(iii)
231.27(f)(3)

G Two horizontal end-platform handholds
G Minimum diameter, e of an inch, wrought iron, steel, or other material of equivalent
strength. 2
G Minimum clearance two inches.
G Minimum clear length 60 inches. When security of attachment requires, an extra supporting
leg may be applied near center of clear length. 6
G One on each end of car above end platform.
G Outer legs shall be not more than six inches from inner legs of top end handholds.
G Height above tread of end platform: Not less than 48 nor more than 60 inches.
G End-platform 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.

231.27(g)(1)
231.27(g)(2)(i)

G
G
G
G
G
G
G

FRA F 6180.4m

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231.27(f)(4)

231.27(g)(2)(ii)
231.27(g)(2)(iii)
231.27(g)(3)
231.27(g)(4)

Notes

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Item
Uncoupling
Levers

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

G Two uncoupling levers
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.
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.
G 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 6180.4m

Page 7 of 10

CFR
Reference*
231.27(h)(1)
231.27(h)(2)(i)
231.27(h)(2)(ii)
231.27(h)(2)(ii)(a)
231.27.(h)(2)(ii)(c)
231.27(h)(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)

CFR
Reference*

Notes

Existing Box and Other
House Cars
with Roof Hatches

Existing box and other house cars with roof hatches - §231.28(e)
Note: Box and other house cars with roof hatches built on or before April 1, 1966, or under construction prior thereto and placed in service before October 1,
1966, shall be deemed equipped as nearly as possible within the intent of §231.1 and of this section, except:

Painting and
Marking

G Equipped as specified in §231.1, except the side ladder treads above the fourth tread from
bottom of side ladder near "A'' end of car and roof handhold over the side ladder near "A''
end shall be removed.
G One end platform handhold shall be provided on each end of car as specified in §231.27(i),
and when handbrake is operated near roof of car a brake step shall be provided as
specified by §231.1 or when handbrake is operated from approximate level of top of end sill
the roof handhold over side ladder near "B'' end and treads above the fourth tread from
bottom of side ladder near "B'' end shall be removed and a brake step as specified in
§231.1, shall be used with top of tread surface level with or not more than four inches below
adjacent end handhold.
G Reference §231.27 regarding compliance with end and side ladders requirements.

231.28(e)(1)

Box and other house cars with roofs 16 feet and 10 inches or more above top of rail shall be
painted and marked as follows:
G That portion of each end of the car which is more than 15 feet above top of rail shall be
painted with contrasting reflectorized paint and bear the words "excess height car'' in
lettering not less than three inches high.
G On each side sill near end corner there shall be painted or otherwise displayed a yellow
rectangular area with a ¾ inch black border containing the words "this car excess height'' in
lettering not less than 1½ inches high.

231.27(j)

FRA F 6180.4m

Page 8 of 10

231.28(e)(2)

231.27(j)(1)
231.27(j)(2)

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Item

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

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

231.31(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.
6 TB MP&E 98-19 Due to the structure of pressure differential cars, FRA will not take exception to end platforms and end platform handholds less than 60
inches.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Equipment that is not adequately addressed in Part 231. For example, 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 6180.4m

Page 9 of 10

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 6180.4m

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