SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that by letter received August 25, 2026, HLLR petitioned FRA for a modification of a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations contained in 49 CFR parts 223 (Safety Glazing Standards—Locomotives, Passenger Cars and Cabooses) and 231 (Railroad Safety Appliance Standards). The relevant Docket Number is FRA-2024-0068.

Specifically, HLLR requests a modification to the existing waiver from § 233.9, Requirements for equipment built or rebuilt after June 30, 1980, which, in part, requires locomotives with the specified characteristics to be equipped with certified glazing in all locomotive cab windows. Relief was also granted from § 231.15(b), (d), and (g), Steam locomotives used in road service, relating to the use of pilot sill-steps, side handholds, and the lack of an automatic coupler, and § 231.17(c) and (f), Specifications common to all steam locomotives, relating to handrails and the lack of an automatic coupler.

In its petition, HLLR stated that locomotive HLLR 331 is now being used in passenger service and will operate between 60 and 90 days per year. HLLR stated that the locomotive is maintained “to FRA standards.”

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.

Communications received by November 9, 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 www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.transportation.gov/​privacy. See also www.regulations.gov/​privacy-notice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov.

91 FR 57437