Addendum to a Test Program for a Conditional Waiver; National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number H-95-1]

Addendum to a Test Program for a Conditional Waiver; National

Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)

In accordance with 49 CFR Part 211, notice is hereby given that

Amtrak has requested an addendum to the previously granted temporary

waiver of compliance with specific requirements of certain parts of

Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations in order to conduct a

limited demonstration of a passenger trainset, the IC3 ``Flexiliner''.

Amtrak was granted conditional waivers from sections of Railroad

Safety Appliance Standards (49 CFR Part 231), Railroad Safety Glazing

Standards (49 CFR Part 223) and Railroad Track Safety Standards (49 CFR

Part 213) (see FR 28011, May 26, 1995, for complete description). The

waivers permit Amtrak, and a number of potential sponsors, including

state departments of transportation and commuter agencies, to

demonstrate and operate in revenue service the Flexiliner trainset, a

three-car, articulated, diesel hydraulic, multiple unit trainset built

by ABA Scandia A/S for the Danish State Railway (DSB).

The conditional waiver pertained to one 3-unit IC3 Flexiliner

trainset, and since that time a second trainset has been added. Amtrak

says this is necessary because of the limited amount of seating

available on one trainset, and the expected passenger loads on the

proposed routes require more seating.

Amtrak requested relief from the Railroad Locomotive Safety

Standard, 49 CFR 229.131, Sanders, which requires that each locomotive

shall be equipped with operable sanders that deposit sand on each rail

in front of the first powered operated wheel set in the direction of

movement. The IC3 Flexiliner trainsets are not equipped with sanders.

They are equipped with magnetic track brakes which are activated when

the train brakes are applied in emergency. Air pressure forces the

brakes to the rail and battery voltage causes a strong magnetic field

to develop a significant retardation force. Magnetic track brakes are

common in Europe and were used in this country on the X2000 and ICE

trainsets during their recent demonstration trials.

Due to the impending arrival of the IC3 Flexiliner trainsets at the

Port of Baltimore, Maryland, FRA has, on a temporary basis,

conditionally waived compliance with the relevant portions of the rail

safety regulations. FRA has, however, reserved the right to withdraw

such approval upon receipt by FRA of public comment raising substantial

issues of safety.

Interested parties are invited to participate in this proceeding by

submitting written views, data, or comments. FRA does not anticipate

scheduling a public hearing in connection with this proceeding 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-95-1)

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 30 days of the date of publication of this notice will be

considered 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, D.C. on June 10, 1996.

Phil Olekszyk,

Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Compliance and Program

Implementation.

[FR Doc. 96-15116 Filed 6-13-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-06-P