Petition for Extension of Special Approval

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration [Docket Number FRA-2008-0065] Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that on July 24, 2021, the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration MARC Train Service (MACZ) petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to extend a special approval of an alternate standard for periodic brake equipment maintenance, pursuant to 49 CFR 238.309(a)(2) . The relevant FRA Docket Number is FRA-2008-0065. Specifically, MACZ requests to continuing 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) and 238.309(a)(2) is to allow for the level two and level three maintenance intervals to be 2,944 days (8 years). MACZ explains its request is based on the successful history of the special approval, as well as the results of an age exploration study for the HHP-8 air brake system as outlined in Docket Numbers FRA-2008-0065 and FRA-2001-10596. 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 www.regulations.gov . Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings by submitting written views, data, or comments…