Petition for Waiver of Compliance

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

Petition for Waiver of Compliance

In accordance with 49 CFR Sections 211.9 and 211.41, notice is

hereby given that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has

received from the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK) a

request for a waiver of compliance with a requirement of Federal rail

safety standards. The petition is described below, including the

regulatory provisions involved and the nature of the relief being

requested.

National Railroad Passenger Corporation Waiver Petition Docket

Number H-95-3

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK) seeks a waiver

of compliance with certain provisions of the Locomotive Safety

Regulations (49 CFR Part 229). AMTRAK is requesting a temporary waiver

of compliance with Section 229.29, for eleven locomotives equipped with

the New York Air Brake Company/Knorr Brake Corporation Computer

Controlled Brake (CCB). Section 229.29 stipulates that all brake valves

must be cleaned, tested and inspected every 736 calendar days. On

January 29, 1985, FRA granted approval for the 26-L type air brake

equipment to be cleaned, inspected and tested every 1,104 calendar

days. The petition requests that the CCB brake valves be maintained on

a 5-year test interval.

The CCB brake equipment combines certain pneumatic features of the

26L brake with microprocessor controls. The CCB pneumatic and electro-

pneumatic devices rely on poppet valve and seat technology which has

been proven in service in other Knorr brake equipment.

Locomotive AMTRAK 809 was equipped with the CCB brake equipment

when built by General Electric Company (GE) in 1993. It was placed in

service on August 31, 1993, and has since accumulated over 260,000

miles in intercity revenue operation both as a lead and trail unit.

Early software logic defects were corrected as they occurred and the

CCB system has been reliable since. Amtrak is requesting the waiver for

this locomotive and for 10 additional P40 locomotives (Amtrak 700-709)

now being delivered by GE.

The CCB system consists of a console desk controller, an electronic

control system unit and a pneumatic interface unit. The electronic

control system unit contains the logic processor (computer), power

supply, input/output interfaces, diagnostic program and brake operation

programs. The desk console controller contains the standard automatic

and independent brake operating handles. The console controller also

contains a direct connection to brake pipe which is utilized for

emergency brake applications. The pneumatic interface unit contains the

connections to the standard train line and locomotive multiple unit

pneumatic lines. The pneumatic unit contains all of the devices which

are driven by the electronic control system to perform all functions

currently carried out by the 26-L brake system.

The brake system includes advanced diagnostics and a self test

program. The self test program is manually initiated and provides a

test of all electronic and pneumatic interface functions. Any faults

detected are displayed on the system unit. In-service faults are

detected and stored in non-volatile memory. The railroad states that

safety is enhanced by the CCB Equipment in (1) constant vigilance for

deviation from performance by the microcomputer, (2) the control of

faults to a known safe

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condition, and (3) the capability of warning the operator of a fault

condition. These features are not available in the existing 26-L Brake

Equipment. Life of all components are rated in excess of 5-years.

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-95-3)

and must be submitted in triplicate to the Docket Clerk, Office of

Chief Counsel, Federal Railroad Administration, Nassif Building, 400

Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590. Communications received

within 45 days of the date of publication 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 a.m.-5 p.m.) in Room 8201,

Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590.

Issued in Washington, DC on July 26, 1995.

Phil Olekszyk,

Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Compliance and Program

Implementation

[FR Doc. 95-18680 Filed 7-28-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-06-P