[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 148 (Friday, August 1, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 44968]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-18149]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[Safety Advisory 14-3]


Vintage/Heritage Trolley Vehicle B and K Operating Controllers

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of safety advisory.

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SUMMARY: Today the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is issuing 
Safety Advisory 14-3 advising rail transit agencies that operate 
reconditioned vintage/heritage trolley vehicles manufactured prior to 
January 1, 1956, of an operating concern regarding B and K high voltage 
operating controllers. This safety advisory recommends specific and 
immediate action for rail transit agencies not overseen by the Federal 
Railroad Administration (FRA), and provides supporting technical 
resources.
    The FTA's Safety Advisory 14-3, ``Vintage/Heritage Trolley Vehicle 
B and K Operating Controllers,'' is available in its entirety on the 
agency's public Web site (http://www.fta.dot.gov/tso_15922.html).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For program matters, Thomas Littleton, 
Associate Administrator for Transit Safety and Oversight, telephone 
(202) 366-1783 or [email protected]. For legal matters, Scott 
Biehl, Senior Counsel, telephone (202) 366-0826 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Vintage/heritage trolley vehicles and their 
components may not meet modern engineering and safety standards, also 
present unique operational and maintenance challenges.
    Action Required: Recent vehicle fires involving B and K high 
voltage operating controllers represent a safety concern. As such, the 
FTA is instructing rail transit agencies operating vintage/heritage 
trolley vehicles to inspect B and K high voltage operating controllers 
for signs of heat damage, evidence of fire, arcing and flashovers. 
Agencies should take appropriate corrective actions if evidence of 
these conditions is discovered. Additionally, please notify Ms. 
Kimberly Burtch in the FTA Office of System Safety at (202) 366-0816 if 
any evidence of heat damage, fire, arcing and flashovers is discovered 
in the inspection process. The FTA's issuance of Safety Advisory 14-3 
is in accordance with the Federal Transit Administrator's authority to 
``investigate public transportation accidents and incidents and provide 
guidance to recipients regarding prevention of accident and 
incidents.'' 49 U.S.C. 5329(f)(5).

    Issued in Washington, DC, this 28th day of July, 2014.
Therese W. McMillan,
Deputy Administrator, Federal Transit Administration.
[FR Doc. 2014-18149 Filed 7-31-14; 8:45 am]
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