[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 149 (Thursday, August 4, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-19032]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: August 4, 1994]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Petition for Waivers of Compliance
In accordance with 49 CFR 211.9 and 211.41, notice is hereby given
that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has received from the
Burlington Northern Railroad a request for waiver of compliance with
certain requirements of the Federal rail safety regulations. The
petition is described below, including the regulatory provisions
involved, the nature of the relief being requested and the petitioner's
arguments in favor of relief.
Burlington Northern Railroad (BN)
(FRA Waiver Petition Docket Number SA-94-5)
The BN seeks a waiver of compliance from certain sections of the
Railroad Safety Appliance Standards (49 CFR Part 231). BN states that
it will be building one trainset of its ``trough train'' equipment.
This train will be composed of 22 13-section cars. The parking brakes
on these cars are of conventional design, but their location is not
standard. The unique size and design of one 13-section car does not
allow the conventional application of a handbrake.
BN requests a waiver from 49 CFR 231.1(a)(1), 231.1(a)(3)(i), and
231.1(a)(3)(ii). Section 231.1(a)(1) requires that there be one
efficient handbrake which shall operate in harmony with the power brake
installed on the car.
BN states that the 13-section trough train car has 14 truck
assemblies; 2 single axle trucks and 12 two axle trucks. It is
impossible to brake a minimum of half the total axles under the 13-
section car from one parking brake location. A much more positive brake
is provided by the proposed system that has each parking brake holding
2 two axle trucks. No active linkage cross any articulation under this
system. The system uses a minimum of 4 parking brakes that brake 16
axles out of the 24 axle total. The 13-section trough train car
requires more than one parking brake per car to safely hold the car
when stopped. There are many cars that operate successfully with more
than one handbrake, such as heavy duty flat cars, articulated
intermodal cars and stand alone intermodal cars connected into groups
with drawbars.
Section 231.1(a)(3)(i) requires that the handbrake be so located
that it can be safely operated while the car is in motion. BN states
that the long length of a trough train car (278 feet) necessitates
multiple parking brakes to hold the car safely on grades and direct
simple parking brake connections to the individual trucks and axles,
requires that multiple parking brakes be applied along the length of
the car. Four parking brakes per car is proposed. The location of the
parking brakes does not lend itself to making provisions for the brake
to be operated while the car is in motion. The design of the car will
not allow the application of a standard handbrake to safely allow a man
to ride the car while setting the brake. These cars are specifically
designed for unit train operation and will be used in services where
the train is loaded and unloaded in full trains or large blocks of
cars, while coupled to and under the control of a locomotive. The
parking brakes are designed to hold the car once stopped, on any
practical grade for whatever reason. The safety of employees is
enhanced by allowing them to apply the brake from the ground, without
the need to climb onto the equipment.
The BN has had a policy in effect for several years that prohibits
anyone from mounting or dismounting any freight car, caboose, or
locomotive while it is moving. The application of parking brakes on
this type of car will only be done while the car is stopped. A waiver
is requested that allows the operation of the parking brake only when
the car is stopped.
Section 231.1(a)(3)(ii) requires that the brake shaft be located on
end of car, to the left of and not less than 17 nor more than 22 inches
from center.
BN states that due to the design of the car and the need to operate
the parking brake from the ground, it is imperative that the brake
wheel and mechanism be mounted in such a way as to make its operation
as safe as possible. The brake wheel and mechanism has been mounted as
low as the car design will allow (approximately 3-foot 10 inches from
the top of the rail to the bottom of the wheel rim) and as close to the
side of the car as possible (52 inches to the center of the brake shaft
from the center of the car.) This location allows the brake to be
easily operated from the ground while the car is stopped.
The BN states the trough train provides the latest advancements in
slackless technology, car geometry, aerodynamics and safety.
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 (e.g., Waiver Petition Docket Number SA-94-5
and must be submitted in triplicate to the Docket Clerk, Office of
Chief Counsel, FRA, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20590. Communications received before September 6,
1994 will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Comments
received after that date will be considered as far as practicable. All
written communications concerning these proceedings are available for
examination during regular business hours (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) in Room
8201, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C.
20590.
Issued in Washington, D.C. on August 1, 1994.
Phil Olekszyk
Acting Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Compliance and Program
Implementation.
[FR Doc. 94-19032 Filed 8-3-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
