[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 198 (Monday, October 16, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 71395]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22739]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2018-0033]


Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this 
document provides the public notice that on July 25, 2023, the Michigan 
State Trust for Railway Preservation, Inc. (MSTRP), doing business as 
The Steam Railroading Institute, petitioned the Federal Railroad 
Administration (FRA) for an extension of a waiver of compliance from 
certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations contained 
at 49 CFR part 240 (Qualification and Certification of Locomotive 
Engineers). The relevant Docket Number is FRA-2018-0033.
    Specifically, MSTRP requests to extend its relief from Sec.  
240.201(d), which requires that only certified persons operate 
locomotives and trains. The current relief allows noncertified persons 
to operate a locomotive as part of a ``Hands on the Throttle'' program 
on Great Lakes Central Railroad owned and operated tracks. In support 
of its petition, MSTRP notes that the relief would only apply to 
persons participating in the program, and that participants would have 
a valid driver's license and be under the direct supervision of a 
certified and qualified locomotive engineer. Further, all movements 
would take place during daylight hours and at restricted speed. MSTRP 
states that the program generates interest in steam locomotive 
technology to preserve knowledge and heritage of railroading into the 
future.
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications 
concerning the petition, is available for review online at 
www.regulations.gov.
    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 and a public hearing, 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 at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
    Communications received by December 15, 2023 will be considered by 
FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date 
will be considered if practicable. Anyone can 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.). Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), the U.S. 
Department of Transportation (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 https://www.transportation.gov/privacy. See also https://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice for the 
privacy notice of regulations.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-22739 Filed 10-13-23; 8:45 am]
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