[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 187 (Monday, September 28, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 51635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25876]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Waiver Petition Docket No. H-98-2]
Petition for Waiver of Compliance; Amendment to Notice
In accordance with Part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR), notice is hereby given that the Federal Railroad Administration
(FRA) received from the National Railroad Passenger Corporation
(Amtrak) a request for waiver of compliance with certain requirements
of 49 CFR Part 213: TRACK SAFETY STANDARDS.
On July 15, 1998, FRA advised that Amtrak sought to conduct testing
and demonstrations of the Spanish Talgo trainset at operating speeds up
to 125 mph and up to four inches of cant deficiency on the Northeast
Corridor and requested relief from the requirements of the track safety
standards. Amtrak does not seek to operate the Talgo in revenue service
on the Northeast Corridor. See Federal Register Notice, Docket No. H-
98-2, Volume 63, No. 135. This notice advises that relief from the
requirements of 49 CFR 213.9, Classes of track, to operate at more than
110 mph is no longer necessary because the track safety standards have
recently been revised permitting speeds up to 200 mph in accordance
with the provisions of Subpart G. In addition, relief from the
requirements of Section 213.57, Curves; Elevations and Speed
Limitations, is not necessary since the level of cant deficiency
(unbalance) may exceed 3 inches under the new standards. See Sections
213.307, Class of Track: operating speed limits; and 213.329, Curves,
elevation and speed limitations; Federal Register Volume 63, Number
119, dated June 22, 1998. These provisions become effective on
September 21, 1998.
However, in order to conduct the testing and demonstrations, FRA
notes that relief from Section 213.345(b), Vehicle Qualification
Testing, is necessary. This section in part requires the use of
instrumented wheelsets to measure wheel/rail forces. Amtrak advises
that no instrumented wheels are available for the unique wheel/axle
arrangement on the Talgo cars where each wheel is individually mounted.
Instead, Amtrak proposes to conduct simulation studies and install
strain gauges in the track itself to confirm that the wheel/rail forces
are within acceptable limits.
Amtrak anticipates the testing and demonstrations will be completed
within three days after commencement. Following the successful
completion of the testing, Amtrak seeks to conduct three ``VIP''
demonstration trips between Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania.
Amtrak and the State of Washington jointly purchased a total of
three Talgo trainsets which are currently in production in Seattle,
Washington. The Amtrak and Washington State contracts require Talgo to
demonstrate lateral stability at speeds up to 125 mph before the cars
can be accepted, and Amtrak states that this testing can only be
accomplished on the Northeast Corridor.
Amtrak states that Talgo trainsets routinely operate at up to 125
mph and seven inches of cant deficiency in Spain. In addition, the
Talgo was tested in 1997 at up to eight inches of cant deficiency in
the Pacific Northwest.
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 H-98-2)
and must be submitted in triplicate to the Docket Clerk, Office of
Chief Counsel, FRA, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Mail
Stop 10, Washington, D.C. 20590. Communications received within 30 days
of the date of this notice 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.) at FRA's temporary docket room located at 1120
Vermont Avenue, N.W., Room 7051, Washington, D.C. 20005.
Issued in Washington, D.C. on September 23, 1998.
Grady C. Cothen, Jr.,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Standards and Program
Development.
[FR Doc. 98-25876 Filed 9-25-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
