[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 22, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 84443]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24455]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2024-0097]


Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this 
document provides the public notice that by letter dated August 5, 
2024, SMS Rail Service (SLRS) petitioned the Federal Railroad 
Administration (FRA) for a special approval pursuant to 49 CFR part 215 
(Railroad Freight Car Safety Standards), and a waiver of compliance 
from both 49 CFR part 215 and 49 CFR part 223 (Safety Glazing 
Standards--Locomotives, Passenger Cars and Cabooses). FRA assigned the 
petition Docket Number FRA-2024-0097.
    Specifically, SLRS requests a special approval pursuant to Sec.  
215.203, Restricted cars, for 3 cars (SLRS 51651, SLRS 17695, and SLRS 
10301) that are more than 50 years from the dates of original 
construction. SLRS also seeks relief from Sec.  215.303, Stenciling of 
restricted cars, and 49 CFR part 223 for safety glazing, on the 3 cars. 
The cars will operate on SLRS trackage in differing capacities in 
tourist excursion service. SLRS 51651 will primarily be used to store 
seasonal supplies and SLRS 17695 will primarily be used in maintenance-
of-way service.
    In its petition, SLRS stated that ``the cars have been restored to 
their original, as-built appearance for tourist excursion and 
educational purposes'' and that the adding the stenciling and safety 
glazing required by the regulations would ``detract from the historical 
and educational impression [the] cars are intended to preserve.''
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications 
concerning the petition, is available for review online at 
www.regulations.gov.
    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 and a public hearing, 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 and may be submitted at www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
    Communications received by December 23, 2024 will be considered by 
FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date 
will be considered if practicable. Anyone can search the electronic 
form of any written communications and comments received into any of 
the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) dockets by the name of 
the individual submitting the comment (or signing the document, if 
submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better 
inform its processes. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including 
any personal information the commenter provides, to 
www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/
ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at https://www.transportation.gov/privacy. See also https://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice for the 
privacy notice of regulations.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-24455 Filed 10-21-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P