[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 187 (Monday, September 28, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 51635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25876]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration
[Waiver Petition Docket No. H-98-2]


Petition for Waiver of Compliance; Amendment to Notice

    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.
    On July 15, 1998, FRA advised that Amtrak sought to conduct testing 
and demonstrations of the Spanish Talgo trainset at operating speeds up 
to 125 mph and up to four inches of cant deficiency on the Northeast 
Corridor and requested relief from the requirements of the track safety 
standards. Amtrak does not seek to operate the Talgo in revenue service 
on the Northeast Corridor. See Federal Register Notice, Docket No. H-
98-2, Volume 63, No. 135. This notice advises that relief from the 
requirements of 49 CFR 213.9, Classes of track, to operate at more than 
110 mph is no longer necessary because the track safety standards have 
recently been revised permitting speeds up to 200 mph in accordance 
with the provisions of Subpart G. In addition, relief from the 
requirements of Section 213.57, Curves; Elevations and Speed 
Limitations, is not necessary since the level of cant deficiency 
(unbalance) may exceed 3 inches under the new standards. See Sections 
213.307, Class of Track: operating speed limits; and 213.329, Curves, 
elevation and speed limitations; Federal Register Volume 63, Number 
119, dated June 22, 1998. These provisions become effective on 
September 21, 1998.
    However, in order to conduct the testing and demonstrations, FRA 
notes that relief from Section 213.345(b), Vehicle Qualification 
Testing, is necessary. This section in part requires the use of 
instrumented wheelsets to measure wheel/rail forces. Amtrak advises 
that no instrumented wheels are available for the unique wheel/axle 
arrangement on the Talgo cars where each wheel is individually mounted. 
Instead, Amtrak proposes to conduct simulation studies and install 
strain gauges in the track itself to confirm that the wheel/rail forces 
are within acceptable limits.
    Amtrak anticipates the testing and demonstrations will be completed 
within three days after commencement. Following the successful 
completion of the testing, Amtrak seeks to conduct three ``VIP'' 
demonstration trips between Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania.
    Amtrak and the State of Washington jointly purchased a total of 
three Talgo trainsets which are currently in production in Seattle, 
Washington. The Amtrak and Washington State contracts require Talgo to 
demonstrate lateral stability at speeds up to 125 mph before the cars 
can be accepted, and Amtrak states that this testing can only be 
accomplished on the Northeast Corridor.
    Amtrak states that Talgo trainsets routinely operate at up to 125 
mph and seven inches of cant deficiency in Spain. In addition, the 
Talgo was tested in 1997 at up to eight inches of cant deficiency in 
the Pacific Northwest.
    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-98-2) 
and must be submitted in triplicate to the Docket Clerk, Office of 
Chief Counsel, FRA, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Mail 
Stop 10, 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 September 23, 1998.
Grady C. Cothen, Jr.,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Standards and Program 
Development.
[FR Doc. 98-25876 Filed 9-25-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P