Notice of Petition for Extension of Special Approval

Issuing agencies

Abstract

This document provides the public notice that the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration MARC Train Service (MACZ), petitioned FRA to extend a special approval of an alternate standard for periodic brake equipment maintenance.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 201 (Tuesday, October 20, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 201 (Tuesday, October 20, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66387-66388]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21448]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2008-0065]


Notice of Petition for Extension of Special Approval

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This document provides the public notice that the Maryland 
Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration MARC Train 
Service (MACZ), petitioned FRA to extend a special approval of an 
alternate standard for periodic brake equipment maintenance.

DATES: FRA must receive comments on the petition by December 21, 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: Steven Zuiderveen, Railroad Safety 
Specialist, FRA Motive Power & Equipment Division, telephone: 202-493-
6337, email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#94e7e0f1e2f1fabaeee1fdf0f1e6e2f1f1fad4f0fbe0baf3fbe2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fa898e9f8c9f94d4808f939e9f888c9f9f94ba9e958ed49d958c">[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 April 27, 2026, MACZ petitioned FRA for an extension of a 
special approval of an alternate standard for periodic brake equipment 
maintenance per 49 CFR parts 229 (Railroad Locomotive Safety Standards) 
and 238 (Passenger Equipment Safety Standards). The relevant Docket 
Number is FRA-2008-0065.
    Specifically, MACZ requests approval to continue applying alternate 
standards for the CCB-KE-3.9 air brake system of the MARC HHP-8 
locomotive fleet. This alternate standard to 49 CFR 229.29(e), Air 
brake system calibration, maintenance, and testing, and 238.309(a)(2), 
Periodic brake equipment maintenance--General, allows for an increase 
in the level two and level three maintenance intervals to 2,944 days (8 
years). MACZ explains that it continues

[[Page 66388]]

to maintain the air brake systems in accordance with the existing 
conditions of relief in this docket, and that it has realized a high 
level of reliability with the air brake system. Further, MACZ indicates 
that the locomotives are expected to continue in passenger service for 
MACZ, operated and maintained by Amtrak on the Northeast Corridor, for 
the foreseeable future.
    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 December 21, 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. 2026-21448 Filed 10-19-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P


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