[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 92 (Tuesday, May 13, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26347-26348]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12417]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration
[FRA Docket No. H-97-3]


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 from the National Railroad Passenger Corporation 
(Amtrak) a request for waiver of compliance with certain requirements 
of 49 CFR part 213: Track Safety Standards.
    The purpose of Amtrak's petition is to secure approval from FRA to 
operate its Talgo trains at higher cant deficiencies in the Pacific 
Northwest. Amtrak, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF), and the 
Washington State Department or Transportation (WSDOT) have joined 
together on a program to reduce trip times of Talgo trains between 
Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon, and between Seattle, 
Washington, and Vancouver, British Columbia. Talgo trains with tilting 
passenger cars provide increased comfort at higher cant deficiencies. 
These trains have been in use since 1979 on the Spanish National 
Railway at seven inches of cant deficiency. The trains have also been 
tested under previous waivers granted by FRA, including testing at 5.5 
inches of cant deficiency in 1994 on the former Southern Pacific route 
north of St. Louis, Missouri, and in 1988 at up to 8 inches of cant 
deficiency conducted for the Coalition of Northeastern Governors.
    Title 49 CFR Section 213.57(b) prescribes a speed limit not 
distinguishing between freight and passenger rolling stock at which 
trains may operate over curved track as a function of curve radius 
(curvature) and installed superelevation.
    In general, for any combination of curvature and superelevation, 
there is a specific (``balanced'') speed at which the effect of 
centrifugal force is canceled. The track standards permit the operation 
of trains on curves at speeds producing a conservative underbalance 
(``cant deficiency'') in line with historic industry practice. The 
track safety standards also permit a maximum of three inches of cant 
deficiency;

[[Page 26348]]

however, FRA has granted waivers for qualified passenger equipment at 
higher cant deficiencies. A more detailed discussion of cant deficiency 
can be found in 52 FR 38035, October 13, 1987.
    Amtrak, BNSF, and WSDOT have worked together to accomplish the goal 
of reducing trip times. Amtrak plans to dedicate a second locomotive, 
either a P40 or P42 high-performance locomotive, to each Talgo train. 
BNSF, the track owner, has initiated a program working with the 
municipalities to reduce the number of speed restrictions. BNSF also 
lifted speed restrictions imposed decades ago and not lifted after 
track improvements were made. Another part of the program is to 
increase curve speeds from those developing three inches of cant 
deficiency on as many as 376 curves on the route.
    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-97-3) 
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 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 May 7, 1997.
Grady C. Cothen, Jr.,
Deputy Associate Administrator, for Safety Standards and Program 
Development.
[FR Doc. 97-12417 Filed 5-12-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-M