231.30—Locomotives used in switching service.

(a) General requirements. (1) Except for steam locomotives equipped as provided in § 231.16 of this part, all locomotives used in switching service built after March 31, 1977, must be equipped as provided in this section.

(2) Except for steam locomotives equipped as prescribed in § 231.16 of this part, all locomotives built prior to April 1, 1977, used in switching service after September 30, 1979, shall be equipped as provided in this section. Each carrier shall so equip forty percent (40 percent) of such locomotives by October 1, 1977, seventy percent (70 percent) by October 1, 1978, and all such locomotives by October 1, 1979.

(3) Locomotives without corner stairway openings may not be used to perform any switching service after September 30, 1979 except passenger car switching service at passenger stations.

(b) Definitions. (1) Locomotive used in switching service means a locomotive regularly assigned to perform yard switching service.

(2) Switching service means the classification of cars according to commodity or destination; assembling of cars for train movements; changing the position of cars for purposes of loading, unloading, or weighing, placing of locomotives and cars for repair or storage; or moving of rail equipment in connection with work service that does not constitute a road movement. However, this term does not include movement of a train or part of a train within yard limits by the road locomotive and the placement of locomotives or cars in a train or their removal from a train by the road locomotive while en route to the train's destination.

(3) Safety tread surface means that portion of anti-skid surface of a switching step that actually is contacted by a shoe or boot.

(4) Uncoupling mechanism means the arrangement for operating the coupler lock lift, including the uncoupling lever and all other appurtenances that facilitate operation of the coupler.

(c) Switching step— (1) Number. Each locomotive used in switching service must have four (4) switching steps. (See Plate A)

(2) Dimensions. Each such switching step must have—

(i) On locomotives built after March 31, 1977, a minimum width of twenty-four (24) inches and a minimum depth of twelve (12) inches, except when necessary to accommodate the turning arc of a six-wheel truck and its appurtenances, the inside edge of the switching step shall have a minimum width of seventeen (17) inches (See Plate B);

(ii) On locomotives built prior to April 1, 1977, a minimum width of eighteen (18) inches, and a minimum depth of eight (8) inches;

(iii) A backstop, solid or perforated, with minimum height of backstop of six (6) inches above the safety tread surface; and

(iv) A height of not more than nineteen (19) inches, preferably fifteen (15) inches, measured from top of rail to the safety tread surface.

(3) Location. Switching steps must be located on each side near each end of a locomotive used in switching service. The bottom step of the stairway at these locations may also serve as a switching step if it meets all of the requirements of this section.

(4) Manner of application. (i) Switching steps must be supported by a bracket at each end and fastened to the bracket by two bolts or rivets of at least one-half ( 1/2) inch diameter or by a weldment of at least twice the strength of a bolted attachment.

(ii) Vertical clearance must be unobstructed, except for minor intrusions created by mechanical fasteners or a small triangular gusset plate at the platform level walkway, and free for use for at least a distance of eighty-four (84) inches over a portion of the switching step that is not less than seven (7) inches deep by eighteen (18) inches wide on locomotives built prior to April 1, 1977, and of not less than seven (7) inches deep by twenty-four (24) inches wide on locomotives built after March 31, 1977.

(5) Material. (i) Steel or other material of equivalent or better strength and deflection characteristics, anti-skid, safety design, having at least fifty percent (50%) of the tread surface as open space must be used.

(ii) When the step material creates a second level safety tread surface, the maximum difference in surface levels may not exceed three-eighths ( 3/8) of an inch.

(iii) The safety tread surface must extend to within one-half ( 1/2) inch of each edge of the step.

(6) Visibility. The outer edge of each switching step that is not illuminated must be painted a contrasting color. On locomotives built after March 31, 1977, switching steps shall be illuminated; on multiple-unit locomotive consists used in switching service, only the front switching steps of the leading unit and the rear switching steps of the trailing unit must be illuminated.

(d) End footboards and pilot steps. (1) Except for steam locomotives equipped as provided in § 231.16, locomotives used in switching service built after March 31, 1975, may not be equipped with end footboards or pilot steps.

(2) Except for steam locomotives equipped as provided in § 231.16, locomotives used in switching service built before April 1, 1975, may not be equipped with end footboards or pilot steps after September 30, 1978. Whenever end footboards or pilot steps are removed from a locomotive, the uncoupling mechanism and horizontal end handholds of the locomotive must be modified to comply with paragraphs (f) and (g) of this section.

(e) Vertical handholds. Each switching step must be provided with two (2) vertical handholds or handrails, one on each side of the switching step stairway.

(1) On locomotives built after March 31, 1977, each vertical handhold must—

(i) Be constructed of wrought iron, steel or other material of equivalent strength and durability that is at least one (1) inch diameter and be securely fastened to the locomotive with one-half ( 1/2) inch or larger bolts or rivets;

(ii) Begin not less than six (6) inches nor more than thirty-two (32) inches above the safety tread surface of the switching step; on units with high snowplows, each must begin not more than thirty-six (36) inches above the safety tread surface of the switching step;

(iii) Extend upward from switching step surface at least forty-eight (48) inches;

(iv) Be painted in a contrasting color to a height of at least forty-eight (48) inches above the safety tread surface of the switching step; and

(v) Provide at least two and one-half (2 1/2) inches of usable hand clearance throughout its entire length.

(2) On locomotives built before April 1, 1977, each vertical handhold must—

(i) Be constructed of wrought iron, steel or other material of equivalent strength and durability that is at least seven-eighths ( 7/8) inch in diameter and be securely fastened with one-half ( 1/2) inch or larger bolts or rivets;

(ii) Begin not less than five (5) inches nor more than thirty-two (32) inches above the safety tread surface; on units with high snowplows, each must begin not more than thirty-six (36) inches above the safety tread surface;

(iii) Extend upward from safety tread surface of the switching step at least forty-eight (48) inches;

(iv) Be painted in a contrasting color to a height of at least forty-eight (48) inches above the safety tread surface of the switching step; and