[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 182 (Thursday, September 19, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76912-76913]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-21395]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2018-0086]


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 dated April 23, 
2024, Texas & Eastern Railroad (TESR) petitioned the Federal Railroad 
Administration (FRA) to extend a waiver of compliance from certain 
provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations contained at 49 
CFR parts 215 (Railroad Freight Car Safety Standards) and 224 
(Reflectorization of Rail Freight Rolling Stock). FRA assigned the 
petition Docket Number FRA-2018-0086.
    Specifically, TESR requested to extend the previous special 
approval pursuant to 49 CFR 215.203, Restricted cars, in this docket 
for 14 cars, which are more than 50 years from the dates of original 
construction. Petitioner also seeks relief from Sec.  215.303, 
Stenciling of restricted cars, and part 224, reflectorization 
requirements, to use the cars as operating historic artifacts.
    In support of its request, TESR stated that tourist passenger 
operations run up to 30 miles per hour, and that TESR ``exercises 
complete control of the operation and maintenance'' of the subject 
cars. TESR added that the cars have not been interchanged in regular 
freight operations with other railroads and are primarily used for 
mobile storage. They are also used with steam and diesel locomotives in 
trains for photography, historic documentation, and film production. 
TESR explained

[[Page 76913]]

that the extension of relief will allow the flexibility for the 
railroad to make up and operate historic trains at any time.
    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 November 18, 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. 2024-21395 Filed 9-18-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P