49 CFR § 230.38 - Telltale holes.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s230.38"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 230.38 - Telltale holes."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "230.38"
section_name: "Telltale holes."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
part_number: "230"
part_name: "STEAM LOCOMOTIVE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE STANDARDS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 20103, 20107, 20702; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note; and 49 CFR 1.89."
regulatory_source: "64 FR 62865, Nov. 17, 1999, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "230"
---


# 230.38 Telltale holes.

(a) *Staybolts less than 8 inches long.* All staybolts shorter than 8 inches, except flexible bolts, shall have telltale holes 
3/16 inch to 
7/32 inch diameter and at least 1
1/4 inches deep in the outer end.

(b) *Reduced body staybolts.* On reduced body staybolts, the telltale hole shall extend beyond the fillet and into the reduced section of the staybolt. Staybolts may have through telltale holes.

(c) *Telltale holes kept open.* All telltale holes, except as provided for in § 230.41, must be kept open at all times.