[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 140 (Friday, July 22, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-17928]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 22, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration

 

Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    In accordance with 49 CFR 211.9 and 211.41, notice is hereby given 
that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has received a request 
for waivers of compliance with certain requirements of the Federal 
safety laws and regulations. The petition is described below, including 
the regulatory provisions involved, the nature of the relief being 
requested and the petitioner's arguments in favor of relief.

National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)

[Waiver Petition Docket Number PB-94-3]

    Amtrak is seeking a waiver of compliance from certain sections of 
the Railroad Power Brakes and Drawbars Regulations, 49 CFR Part 232. 
Amtrak is requesting that it be permitted to extend the clean, oil, 
test and stencil (COT&S) period from 36 months to 48 months on all 
passenger cars equipped with 26-C Brake Equipment. Section 232.17(b)(2) 
states--``Brake equipment on passenger cars must be clean, repaired, 
lubricated and tested as often as necessary to maintain it in a safe 
and suitable condition for service but not less frequently than as 
required in Standard S-045 in the Manual of Standards and Recommended 
Practices of the Association of American Railroads (AAR).'' Paragraph 
2.1.2 of Standard S-045 (AAR Manual Section A, Part III) currently 
specifies 36 months for 26-C Type Brake Equipment.
    FRA Docket Number H-91-2 authorized Amtrak to conduct a four year 
test of the 26-C Brake Equipment on 50 cars of their 103 Horizon car 
fleet built between May 1989 and January 1990. A tear down inspection 
of five representative cars was conducted after the four year service 
period. The test has now been concluded and a final report indicating 
satisfactory performance of the brake equipment over the four year test 
period has been issued. As a result of this performance, Amtrak has 
requested that the COT&S period for all cars with 26-C Brake Equipment 
be extended to 48 months.
    Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings 
by submitting written reviews, data or comments. FRA does not 
anticipate scheduling a public hearing in connection with these 
proceedings since the facts do not appear to warrant a hearing. If any 
interested party desires an opportunity for oral comment, they should 
notify FRA, in writing, before the end of the comment period and 
specify the basis for their request. All communications concerning 
these proceedings should identify the appropriate docket number (e.g., 
Waiver Petition Docket Number PB-94-3) and must be submitted in 
triplicate to the Docket Clerk, Office of Chief Counsel, FRA, Nassif 
Building, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590. 
Communications received before August 22, 1994 will be considered by 
FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date 
will be considered as far as practicable. All written communications 
concerning these proceedings are available for examination during 
regular business hours (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) in Room 8201, Nassif 
Building, 400 Seventh Street S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590.

    Issued in Washington, D.C. on July 18, 1994.
Phil Olekszyk,
Acting Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Compliance and Program 
Implementation.
[FR Doc. 94-17928 Filed 7-21-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P