Section 231.31 - Drawbars for freight cars; standard height(a) Except on cars specified in paragraph (b) of this section- (1) On standard gage (561/2-inch gage) railroads, the maximum height of drawbars for freight cars (measured perpendicularly from the level of the tops of the rails to the centers of the drawbars) shall be 341/2 inches, and the minimum height of drawbars for freight cars on such standard gage railroads (measured in the same manner) shall be 311/2 inches.(2) On 36-inch gage railroads, the maximum height of drawbars for freight cars (measured perpendicularly from the level of the tops of the rails to the centers of the drawbars) shall be 26 inches, and the minimum height of drawbars for freight cars on such 36-inch gage railroads (measured in the same manner) shall be 23 inches.(3) On 24-inch gage railroads, the maximum height of drawbars for freight cars (measured perpendicularly from the level of the tops of the rails to the centers of the drawbars) shall be 171/2 inches, and the minimum height of drawbars for freight cars on 24-inch gage railroads (measured in the same manner) shall be 141/2 inches.(4) On railroads operating on track with a gage other than those contained in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this section, the maximum and minimum height of drawbars for freight cars operating on those railroads shall be established upon written approval of FRA.(b) This section shall not apply to a railroad all of whose track is less than 24 inches in gage. 66 FR 4192 , Jan. 17, 2001