N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 12, § 8-1.53 – Guide rails.

(a) The weight of steel or iron guide rails shall be not less than as given in the following table.

Weight Per Lineal Foot of Each Guide Rail


Total weight of car and load. Total weight of counterweights per pair of rails
Minimum weight of each counterweight guide rail
		Minimum weight of each car guide rail	With guide rail safeties	Without guide rail safeties
Above	To and including			1 to 1 roping	2 to 1 roping
Pounds	Pounds	Pounds	Pounds	Pounds	Pounds
0	4,000	6½	6½	6½	6½
4,000	15,000	14	14	6½	6½
15,000	Or over	30	30	6½	14

(b) Where wood guides are permitted they shall be of straight grain kiln dried maple, securely fastened to the guide posts and the sectional area of each car guide rail shall be not less than five square inches with the minimum dimension not less than one and seven-eighths inches for a total weight of car and load of 6,000 pounds. For total weight in excess of 6,000 pounds, the guide rail shall have not less than seven square inches sectional area with the minimum dimension not less than two and one-half inches. The sectional area of each counterweight guide rail shall be not less than two and one-half inches with the minimum dimension not less than one and one-half inches. (See § 8-1.39.)