Section 231.15 - Steam locomotives used in road service(a)Tender till-steps -(1)Number. Four on tender.(2)Dimensions.(i) Bottom tread not less than 8 by 12 inches, metal. (May have wooden treads.)(ii) If stirrup steps are used, clear length of tread shall be not less than 10, preferably 12, inches.(3)Location. One near each corner of tender on sides.(4)Manner of application. Tender sill-steps shall be securely fastened with bolts or rivets.(b)Pilot sill-steps - (2)Dimensions. Tread not less than 8 inches in width by 10 inches in length, metal. (May have wooden treads.)(3)Location. One on or near each end of buffer-beam outside of rail and not more than 16 inches above rail.(4)Manner of application. Pilot sill-steps shall be securely fastened with bolts or rivets.(c)Pilot-beam handholds -(2)Dimensions. Minimum diameter, five-eighths of an inch, wrought iron or steel. Minimum clear length, 14, preferably 16, inches. Minimum clearance, 21/2 inches.(3)Location. One on each end of buffer-beam. If uncoupling lever extends across front end of locomotive to within 8 inches of end of buffer-beam, and is seven-eighths of an inch or more in diameter, securely fastened, with a clearance of 21/2 inches, it is a handhold.)(4)Manner of application. Pilot-beam handholds shall be securely fastened with bolts or rivets.(d)Side handholds -(2)Dimensions. Minimum diameter, if horizontal, five-eighths of an inch; if vertical, seven-eighths of an inch, wrought iron or steel. Horizontal, minimum clear length, 16 inches. Vertical, clear length equal to approximate height of tank. Minimum clearance, 2, preferably 21/2, inches.(3)Location.(i) Horizontal or vertical. If vertical, one on each side of tender within 6 inches of rear or on corner; if horizontal, same as specified for "Box and other house cars" (see § 231.1(h)(3) ).(ii) One on each side of tender near gangway; 1 on each side of locomotive at gangway; applied vertically.(4)Manner of application. Side handholds shall be securely fastened with not less than 1/2-inch bolts or rivets.(e)Rear-end handholds -(2)Dimensions. Minimum diameter, five-eighths of an inch, wrought iron or steel. Minimum clear length, 14 inches. Minimum clearance, 2, preferably 21/2, inches.(3)Location. Horizontal, one near each side of rear end of tender on face of end sill. Clearance of outer end of handhold shall be not more than 16 inches from side of tender.(4)Manner of application. Rear-end handholds shall be securely fastened with not less than 1/2-inch bolts or rivets.(f)Uncoupling levers -(1)Number. Two double levers, operative from either side.(2)Dimensions. Rear-end levers shall extend across end of tender with handles not more than 12, preferably 9, inches from side of tender with a guard bent on handle to give not less than 2 inches clearance around handle.(3)Location. One on rear end of tender and one on front end of locomotive. Handles of front-end leavers shall be not more than 12, preferably 9, inches from ends of buffer-beam, and shall be so constructed as to give a minimum clearance of 2 inches around handle.(4)Manner of application. Uncoupling levers shall be securely fastened with bolts or rivets.(g)Couplers. Locomotives shall be equipped with automatic couplers at rear of tender and front of locomotive.