[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 225 (Monday, November 23, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73037-73038]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-29686]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2015-0047]


Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    In accordance with part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR), this document provides the public notice that by a document 
dated May 8, 2015, the Stewartstown Railroad (STRT) has petitioned the 
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a waiver of compliance from 
certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations contained 
at 49 CFR part 215, Railroad Freight Car Safety Standards; Part 223, 
Safety Glazing Standards--Locomotives, Passenger Cars and Cabooses; and 
Part 224, Reflectorization of Rail Freight Rolling Stock. FRA assigned 
the petition Docket Number FRA-2015-0047.
    STRT owns 7.4 miles of railroad between Stewartstown and New 
Freedom, PA. The last revenue trains were operated in 2004. Over the 
last several years, volunteers have made repairs and upgrades to track, 
locomotives, and rolling stock. STRT initially intends to operate six-
tenths of a mile out of Stewartstown and gradually expand services as 
more track is rehabilitated to Class 1 condition. Initial service will 
be provided by a 35-ton Plymouth locomotive and Caboose PRR 478173 to 
carry passengers for tourist railroad operations conducted at speeds 
not exceeding 10 mph. Caboose PRR 478173 is the subject of the present 
waiver petition.
    STRT indicates that this car was built in February 1951, which 
makes the current date more than 50 years from the date of original 
construction, and STRT will therefore require relief from 49 CFR 
215.203, Restricted cars, to continue the car in service. Because the 
caboose is not equipped with compliant glazing, SRTR also requests 
relief from the requirements of 49 CFR 223.13, Requirements for 
existing cabooses. STRT notes that there is no history of vandalism and 
that retrofitting the caboose with compliant glazing would be cost 
prohibitive. Since STRT does not interchange equipment with any of the 
railroad, the railroad also requests relief from the requirements of 49 
CFR 215.303, Stenciling of restricted cars.

[[Page 73038]]

STRT notes that there is no freight service on this line and none is 
anticipated in the near future. As the caboose will be used only in 
excursion passenger service, the railroad requests relief from the 
requirements of 49 CFR part 224.
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications 
concerning the petition, is available for review online at 
www.regulations.gov and in person at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation's (DOT) Docket Operations Facility, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 20590. The Docket Operations 
Facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal Holidays.
    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 and may be submitted by any of the following 
methods:
     Web site: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online 
instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Operations Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 
20590.
     Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W12-140, 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal Holidays.
    Communications received by December 23, 2015 will be considered by 
FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date 
will be considered as far as practicable.
    Anyone is able to search the electronic form of any written 
communications and comments received into any of our dockets by the 
name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the document, 
if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the 
public to better inform its processes. DOT posts these comments, 
without edit, including any personal information the commenter 
provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records 
notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. 
See also http://www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice for the privacy 
notice of regulations.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 13, 2015.
Ron Hynes,
Director, Office of Technical Oversight.
[FR Doc. 2015-29686 Filed 11-20-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P