Exemption petitions, etc.: Union Pacific Railroad Co.,

[Federal Register: June 9, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 110)]

[Notices]

[Page 31582]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr09jn98-148]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

Petition for Waivers 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 a request for a waiver of compliance with certain requirements of the Federal safety laws and 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.

Union Pacific Railroad Company

FRA Docket Number H-98-3

The Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) seeks a temporary waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the Locomotive Safety Standards (49 CFR 229) for approximately 30 trains to be determined prior to commencement of the test. UP is seeking relief, for a six month test period, from the requirements of Section 229.21 that requires each locomotive in use to be inspected once each calendar day, and Section 229.9(b)(1), which provides that if a locomotive develops a non- complying condition enroute, it may continue to utilize its propelling motors only until the next calendar day inspection if the calendar day inspection is earlier than the nearest forward repair point.

Under the purposed waiver the UP would have mechanical department employees perform locomotive inspections prior to each trip, with the next inspection not being due until the locomotive reaches its final destination. If a locomotive develops a non-complying condition enroute and all provisions of 229.9 are otherwise met the locomotive may continue to the next point to where repairs can be made. Locomotives not receiving an inspection by mechanical department employees will continue to require a calendar day inspection.

Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings by submitting written reviews, 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-98-3,) and must be submitted in triplicate to the Docket Clerk, Chief Counsel, Federal Railroad Administration, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Mail Stop 25, Washington, DC 20590. Communications received within 45 days from the 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.) at FRA's temporary relocation 1120 Vermont Ave. NW, room 7051, Washington, DC 20005.

Issued in Washington, D.C. on June 3, 1998. Grady C. Cothen, Jr., Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Standards and Program Development.

[FR Doc. 98-15186Filed6-8-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-06-P