[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 78 (Monday, April 22, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17749-17750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9737]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration


Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    In accordance with Title 49 CFR 211.9 and 211.41, notice is hereby 
given that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has received a 
waiver request from Long Island Railroad (LIRR)--in addition to the 
previously announced CSX Transportation (CSXT), Burlington Northern 
Santa Fe, New York Air Brake Corporation (NYAB), and National Railroad 
Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) requests--for a waiver of compliance 
with a requirement of Federal rail safety standards. The petitions are 
described below, including the regulatory provisions involved and the 
nature of the relief being requested;

Long Island Railroad (LIRR);
CSX Transportation (CSXT);
Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF);
New York Air Brake Corporation (NYAB); and
National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)

Waiver Petition Docket Number H-95-3

    The LIRR, CSXT, BNSF, NYAB and Amtrak individually seek temporary 
waivers of compliance with Section 229.29 of the Locomotive Safety 
Regulations (Title 49 CFR Part 229).
    Because these petitions apply to the same type of brake equipment 
and for the same time interval, FRA is combining them under Docket 
Number H-95-3.
    Section 229.29 stipulates that all brake valves must be cleaned, 
tested and inspected every 736 calendar days. On January 29, 1985, FRA 
published a notice granting approval for the 26-L type air brake 
equipment to be cleaned, inspected and tested every 1104 calendar days, 
(Vol.50, No. 19, Page 3910). The petition requests that the CCB brake 
valves be maintained on a 5- year test interval.
    The CCB brake equipment combines certain pneumatic features of the 
26L

[[Page 17750]]

brake with microprocessor controls. The CCB pneumatic and electro-
pneumatic devices rely on poppet valve and seat technology which has 
been proven in service in other Knorr brake equipment.
    The CCB system consists of a console desk controller, an electronic 
control system unit and a pneumatic interface unit. The electronic 
control system unit contains the logic processor (computer), power 
supply, input/output interfaces, diagnostic program and brake operation 
programs. The desk console controller contains the standard automatic 
and independent brake operating handles. The console controller also 
contains a direct connection to brake pipe which is utilized for 
emergency brake applications. The pneumatic interface unit contains the 
connections to the standard train line and locomotive multiple unit 
pneumatic lines. The pneumatic unit contains all of the devices which 
are driven by the electronic control system to perform all functions 
currently carried out by the 26-L brake system.
    The brake system includes advanced diagnostics and a self- test 
program. The manually initiated self-test program tests all electronic 
and pneumatic interface functions. Detected faults are displayed on the 
system unit. In-service faults are detected and stored in nonvolatile 
memory. The railroad states that safety is enhanced by the CCB 
Equipment in (1) constant vigilance for deviation from performance by 
the microcomputer, (2) the control of faults to a known safe condition, 
and (3) the capability of warning the operator of a fault condition. 
These features are not available in the existing 26-L Brake Equipment. 
Life of all components are rated in excess of 5-years.
    Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings 
by submitting written views, 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 H-95-3) 
and must be submitted in triplicate to the Docket Clerk, Office of 
Chief Counsel, FRA, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., 
Washington, D.C. 20590. Communications received within 45 days of the 
date of publication of this notice 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 SW., Washington, D.C. 20590.

    Issued in Washington, DC on April 16, 1996.
Phil Olekszyk,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Compliance and Program 
Implementation.
[FR Doc. 96-9737 Filed 4-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P