Notice2026-07928

Notice of Petition for Waiver of Compliance

Primary source

Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.

Published
April 23, 2026

Issuing agencies

Transportation DepartmentFederal Railroad Administration

Abstract

This document provides the public notice that the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Development Corporation (WMSR) petitioned FRA for relief from certain regulations concerning a locomotive's fifth annual inspection.

Full Text

<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 78 (Thursday, April 23, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 78 (Thursday, April 23, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21867-21868]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07928]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2026-0793]


Notice of Petition for Waiver of Compliance

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document provides the public notice that the Western 
Maryland Scenic Railroad Development Corporation (WMSR) petitioned FRA 
for relief from certain regulations concerning a locomotive's fifth 
annual inspection.

DATES: FRA must receive comments on the petition by June 22, 2026. FRA 
will consider comments received after that date to the extent 
practicable.

ADDRESSES: 
    Comments: Comments related to this docket may be submitted by going 
to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and following the online instructions 
for submitting comments.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and 
docket number. All comments received will be posted without change to 
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>; this includes any personal information. 
Please see the Privacy Act heading in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section of this document for Privacy Act information related to any 
submitted comments or materials.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and follow the 
online instructions for accessing the docket.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Barron, Railroad Safety 
Specialist, FRA Motive Power & Equipment Division, telephone: 202-493-
1367, email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#533e3a303b32363f7d313221213c3d13373c277d343c25"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="04696d676c6561682a666576766b6a44606b702a636b72">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that by 
letter dated March 17, 2026, WMSR petitioned FRA for a waiver of 
compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety 
regulations contained at 49 CFR part 230 (Steam Locomotive Inspection 
and Maintenance Standards). FRA assigned the petition Docket Number 
FRA-2026-0793.
    Specifically, WMSR seeks relief from the requirements of Sec.  
230.16(a)(2), Annual inspection--fifth annual inspection, for 
locomotive No. 1309. In its petition, WMSR requests a six-month 
extension on the deadline of No. 1309's fifth annual inspection, moving 
the deadline to November 1, 2026. WMSR states that the extension will 
``alleviate crucial shop scheduling obstacles'' and enable continuation 
of operations

[[Page 21868]]

through an important revenue season. The petition adds that the 
locomotive will operate no more than 100 service days during the 
extension. Further, WMSR intends to complete an annual inspection by 
its current deadline, May 8, 2026.
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications 
concerning the petition, is available for review online at 
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>.
    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.
    Communications received by June 22, 2026 will be considered by FRA 
before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be 
considered if practicable.

Privacy Act

    Anyone can search the electronic form of any written communications 
and comments received into any of FRA's 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 inform 
its processes. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any 
personal information the commenter provides, to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>, as 
described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can 
be reviewed at <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/privacy">https://www.transportation.gov/privacy</a>. See also <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice">https://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice</a> for the privacy notice of 
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2026-07928 Filed 4-22-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P


</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>
Indexed from Federal Register on April 23, 2026.

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.