[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 1 (Thursday, January 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 145]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-33303]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[FRA Waiver Petition Docket No. PB-95-4]


Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    In accordance with Part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR), notice is hereby given that the Federal Railroad Administration 
(FRA) received a request for a waiver of compliance with certain 
requirements of its safety standards. The individual petition is 
described below, including the party seeking relief, the regulatory 
provisions involved, the nature of the relief being requested, and the 
petitioner's arguments in favor of relief.

Northeast Illinois Railroad Corporation

    Northeast Illinois Railroad Corporation (Metra) seeks a permanent 
waiver of compliance from certain provisions of 49 CFR Part 232, 
Section 17, on passenger cars equipped with 26-C brake equipment by 
extending the clean, oil, test and stencil (COT&S) period from 36 to 48 
months, and on passenger cars that are equipped with PS-68 brake 
systems by eliminating the required 12 cycle of single car testing. 
According to Metra's waiver request, their entire car fleet is equipped 
with the 26-C brake valve and is captive to the Chicago metropolitan 
area. Each Metra car is placed in a yard at least once each week. Their 
passenger locomotive fleet is equipped with Graham-White Air Dryers 
which provide a source of clean, dry air to the brake system. When on 
repair tracks or upon completion of COT&S, Metra cars are tested under 
Metra's Code of Tests for Passenger Cars. The Metra's Code of Tests for 
Passenger Cars is based upon Association of American Railroad's (AAR) 
Standard S-044 with the following enhancements:
     Main reservoir pipe and reservoir leakage test (Part 2.2);
     Test for auxiliary brake pipe reduction devices (Part 
2.5);
     Lift interlock pressure setting test (required feature 
covered by the American Disabilities Act) (Part 2.10);
     Test for cars equipped with the 26-C service portion 
valves and ABDXL emergency portion valves (Part 2.16); and
     Test for the car handbrake (Part 2.17).
    The passenger cars operated on the Burlington Northern are equipped 
with a PS-68 brake system, which has 26-C brake equipment as its 
foundation. The PS-68 brake system is governed by a 48 month COT&S 
cycle, per AAR Standard S-045. In date, testing has been performed as 
the cars are repaired in maintenance shops. According to Metra, the car 
is dependable and safe, and their experience with this equipment does 
not support a benefit for the additional 12 month cycle of single car 
testing.
    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 PB-95-4) 
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 within 30 days of the 
date 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.) at FRA's temporary docket room located at 1120 Vermont 
Avenue, N.W., Room 7051, Washington, D.C. 20005.

    Issued in Washington, D.C. on December 20, 1996.
Phil Olekszyk,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Compliance and Program 
Implementation.
[FR Doc. 96-33303 Filed 12-31-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P