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...(UP) petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations contained at 49 CFR part 236. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA–2018–0070.
UP seeks a waiver of compliance from 49 CFR 236.1006, Equipping locomotives operating in PTC territory. Specifically, UP requests relief to operate UP Heritage Steam Locomotives UP 844, 4–8–4 Type—1944; UP 4014, 4–8–8–4 Type—1941; and UP 3985, 4–6–6–4 Type—1943 for excursion trips in positive train control (PTC) territory. UP states these units are specifically designated and utilized on an extremely limited number of excursion trips annually. Excursions utilizing this equipment historically and continually involve the highest level of preparation in planning and operational safety during operation, giving special designation to each move. No less than two operators are present at any given time ensuring continual functional safety awareness during operational moves. UP explains they have been operating steam powered excursions without PTC-initiated application and have found no adverse mechanical effect on operational safety.