[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 153 (Thursday, August 8, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 65010]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-17566]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2018-0084]


Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance

    Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this 
document provides the public notice that by letter received June 3, 
2024, Texas State Railroad/Texas & Eastern Railroad (Petitioner) 
petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to extend the 
existing 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-2018-0084.
    Specifically, Petitioner requests continued relief from Sec.  
240.201, Implementation, which requires that only certified persons 
operate locomotives and trains. The relief would allow noncertified 
persons to operate a historic locomotive as part of a visitor 
experience or ``Hand on the Throttle'' program. In support of its 
petition, Petitioner notes that the relief would only apply to persons 
participating in the program, and that participants would be 18 years 
of age or older and under the direct supervision of a certified and 
qualified locomotive engineer. Further, all movements would take place 
during daylight hours and at restricted speed with no opposing train 
movements, and no public grade crossings will be occupied. 
Additionally, derail protection will be in place at each end of the 
track limits.
    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 www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
    Communications received by October 7, 2024 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 the U.S. Department of 
Transportation's (DOT) 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), 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. 2024-17566 Filed 8-7-24; 8:45 am]
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