FRA F 6180.4o Sample Car Inspection Checklist for: Passenger-train Car

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Railroad Administration

Sample Car Inspection Checklist for:
Passenger-train cars without end platforms - §231.14

Inspector(s):

Inspection Location:

Builder:

Car Initials & Number:

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Item
Hand
Brake

Sill
Step

Side
Handholds

FRA F 6180.4o

Car Type:

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

Date:

Region:

Cars to be Built:

Builder Job #

CFR
Reference*

G Each passenger-train car shall be equipped with an efficient hand brake, which shall
operate in harmony with the power brake thereon.
G Each hand brake shall be so located that it can be safely operated while car is in motion.
Except for a private cars, all passenger equipment, including MU locomotives, shall be
equipped with a hand brake that meets the requirements for hand brakes contained in Part
231 of this chapter and that can:
G Be applied or activated by hand.
G Be released by hand.
G Hold the loaded unit on the maximum grade anticipated by the operating railroad.

231.14(a)(1)

G
G
G
G
G

Four.
Minimum length of tread, 10 inches.
Minimum cross-sectional area, ½ x 1½ inches 1or equivalent 2 , wrought iron or steel.
Minimum clear depth, 8 inches 3.
One near each end on each side not more than 24 inches from corner of car to center of
tread of sill step.
G Outside edge of tread of step shall be not more than two inches inside of face of side of car.

231.14(b)(1)
231.14(b)(2)

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.

231.14(b)(3)(iii)
231.14(b)(4)(i)
231.14(b)(4)(ii)

G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G

231.14(c)(1)
231.14(c)(2)

Four.
Minimum diameter, e of an inch, wrought iron or steel 1.
Minimum clear length, 16 inches.
Minimum clearance, two inches.
Horizontal or vertical, one near each end on each side of car over sill step.
If horizontal, not less than 24 nor more than 30 inches above center line of coupler.
If vertical, lower end not less than 18 nor more than 24 inches above center line of coupler.
Side handholds shall be securely fastened with bolts, rivets or screws.

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OMB No. 2130-XXXX

231.14(a)(2)
238.231(h)(2)

238.231(h)(2)(i)
238.231(h)(2)(ii)
238.231(h)(2)(iii)

231.14(b)(3)(i)
231.14(b)(3)(ii)

231.14(c)(3)
231.14(c)(3)(i)
231.14(c)(3)(ii)
231.14(c)(4)

Notes

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Item
End
Handholds

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

G
G
G
G
G

Four.
Minimum diameter, e of an inch, wrought iron or steel 1.
Minimum clear length, 16 inches.
Minimum clearance, two inches.
Horizontal, one near each side on each end projecting downward from face of end sill or
sheathing.
Clearance of outer end of handholds shall be not more than 16 inches from side of car.
Handholds shall be flush with or project not more than 1 inch beyond face of end sill.
End handholds shall be securely fastened with bolts or rivets.
When marker sockets or brackets are located so that they can not be conveniently reached
from platforms, suitable steps and handholds shall be provided for men to reach such
sockets or brackets.

231.14(d)(1)
231.14(d)(2)

On cars with projecting end sills:
G Four.
G Minimum diameter, e of an inch, wrought iron or steel 1.
G Minimum clearance, two inches.
G One on each side of each end, extending horizontally from doorpost or vestibule frame to a
point not more than six inches from corner of car, then approximately vertical to a point not
more than six inches from top of platform end sill, horizontal portion shall be not less than
30 nor more than 60 inches above platform end sill.
G End handrails shall be securely fastened with bolts, rivets or screws.

231.14(e)
231.14(e)(1)
231.14(e)(2)

G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G

231.14(f)(1)
231.14(f)(2)

G
G
G
G

End
Handrails

Side-door
Steps

FRA F 6180.4o

CFR
Reference*

One under each door.
Minimum length of tread, 10 inches.
Minimum cross-sectional area, ½ x 1½ inches or equivalent, wrought iron or steel.
Minimum clear depth, 8 inches 2 .
Outside edge of tread of step not more than two inches inside of face of side of car.
Tread not more than 24 inches above the top of rail.
Steps exceeding 18 inches in depth shall have an additional tread and be laterally braced.
Side-door 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.
G A vertical handhold not less than 24 inches in clear length shall be applied above each
side-door step on door post.

Page 2 of 3

231.14(d)(3)

231.14(d)(4)(i)
231.14(d)(4)(ii)
231.14(d)(4)(iii)

231.14(e)(3)

231.14(e)(4)

231.14(f)(3)
231.14(f)(4)(i)
231.14(f)(4)(ii)
231.14(f)(4)(iii)

Notes

Item
Uncoupling
Levers

Other

Digital
Photos

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application
(All brackets used solely to support safety appliances are mechanically fastened per MP&E TB 98-14)

G Uncoupling attachments shall be applied so they can be operated by a person standing on
the ground.
G Minimum length of ground uncoupling attachment, 42 inches, measured from center line of
end of car to handle of attachment.
G On passenger-train cars used in freight or mixed-train service, the uncoupling attachment
shall be so applied that the coupler can be operated from left side of car.
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).
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 ~ allow up to, but no more
than one inch over the maximum height for settling of new truck components.

CFR
Reference*

Notes

231.14(g)(1)
231.14(g)(2)
231.14(g)(3)

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. 221, 223, 229, 238 & 239)

* The CFR reference sections noted throughout the check list refers to the actual regulatory requirement.
Footnotes:

1 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.
2 Equivalent is determined by multiplying the cross sectional area the result of which may not be less than ¾ inch.
3 TB MP&E 98-13 Clear depth means a vertical space the width of, and above the sill/side step material or strap and should be clear and unobstructed for 8
inches.
Pubic reporting burden for this information collection is estimated to average 30 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 6180.4o

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