Petition for Waiver of Compliance

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

Petition for Waiver of Compliance

In accordance with Title 49 CFR 211.9 and 211.41, notice is hereby

given that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has received a

waiver request from Long Island Railroad (LIRR)--in addition to the

previously announced CSX Transportation (CSXT), Burlington Northern

Santa Fe, New York Air Brake Corporation (NYAB), and National Railroad

Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) requests--for a waiver of compliance

with a requirement of Federal rail safety standards. The petitions are

described below, including the regulatory provisions involved and the

nature of the relief being requested;

Long Island Railroad (LIRR);

CSX Transportation (CSXT);

Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF);

New York Air Brake Corporation (NYAB); and

National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)

Waiver Petition Docket Number H-95-3

The LIRR, CSXT, BNSF, NYAB and Amtrak individually seek temporary

waivers of compliance with Section 229.29 of the Locomotive Safety

Regulations (Title 49 CFR Part 229).

Because these petitions apply to the same type of brake equipment

and for the same time interval, FRA is combining them under Docket

Number H-95-3.

Section 229.29 stipulates that all brake valves must be cleaned,

tested and inspected every 736 calendar days. On January 29, 1985, FRA

published a notice granting approval for the 26-L type air brake

equipment to be cleaned, inspected and tested every 1104 calendar days,

(Vol.50, No. 19, Page 3910). 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

[[Page 17750]]

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.

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 manually initiated self-test program tests all electronic

and pneumatic interface functions. Detected faults are displayed on the

system unit. In-service faults are detected and stored in nonvolatile

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 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, FRA, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW.,

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 (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) in Room 8201, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh

Street SW., Washington, D.C. 20590.

Issued in Washington, DC on April 16, 1996.

Phil Olekszyk,

Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Compliance and Program

Implementation.

[FR Doc. 96-9737 Filed 4-19-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-06-P