Notice of Safety Advisory 2006-04, Notice No. 2, 58907-58908 [E6-16477]

Download as PDF mstockstill on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 193 / Thursday, October 5, 2006 / Notices 36 months. This would give MTM the ability to operate for three operating seasons between COT&S events. The cost for the COT&S for the four coaches is $6,684. Extending the COT&S interval by one-third (24 months to 36 months) would provide a savings of $2,172 per year in COT&S costs for this nonprofit organization. MTM declares that safety will not be compromised if this waiver is granted based on their 15 + years of experience with both the UC and D–22 type brake systems. MTM states that previous COT&S events have found the lubricant to be fresh with no detectable signs of deterioration. MTM also notes that since the UC and D–22 brakes were developed in the 1920’s to 1950s, there has been considerable improvement in lubricant quality and considerable improvement in all of the flexible gasket and O-ring type materials that makes up these brake systems. It must be also noted that MTM currently has another waiver pending, docket number FRA–2006–24774, requesting an extension of the COT&S interval on one passenger coach equipped with LN-type brakes. Interested parties are invited to submit written comments to FRA. All written communications concerning this petition should identify the appropriate docket number (e.g., Docket Number FRA–2006–24775) and must be submitted in triplicate to the Associate Administrator for Safety, Federal Railroad Administration, 400 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590–0001. Comments received within 45 days of the date of this notice will be considered by FRA before any final action is taken. Although FRA does not anticipate scheduling a public hearing in connection with these proceedings, if any interested party desires an opportunity for oral comment, they should notify FRA in writing before the end of the comment period and specify the basis for their request. All written communications concerning these proceedings are available for examination during regular business hours (9 a.m.–5 p.m.) at the Central Docket Management Facility, Room PL–401 (Plaza Level), 400 7th Street, SW., Washington, D.C. 20590. All documents in the public docket are also available for inspection and copying on the Internet at the docket facility’s Web site https://dms.dot.gov. Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT’s complete Privacy Act VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:42 Oct 04, 2006 Jkt 211001 Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 19477–78) at https://dms.dot.gov. Issued in Washington, DC on October 2, 2006. Grady C. Cothen, Jr., Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Standards and Program Development. [FR Doc. E6–16470 Filed 10–4–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration Notice of Safety Advisory 2006–04, Notice No. 2 Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of Safety Advisory 2006– 04 (Notice No. 2); Tank Cars with Stub Sills. AGENCY: SUMMARY: On May 1, 2006, FRA issued Safety Advisory 2006–04 recommending that owners of tank cars equipped with the ACF Industries, Incorporated (ACF) 200 stub sill design, inspect and enhance the underframes of such tank cars in accordance with ACF’s Maintenance Bulletin TC–200 (issued in 1994) and by installing the P470 angle application head brace. See 71 FR 26604 (May 5, 2006). The Safety Advisory indicated that owners should contact ACF for a copy of the Maintenance Bulletin and for clarification of procedures and any additional information. This Notice announces the availability of a revised Maintenance Bulletin and updates the contact information for obtaining a copy of the Bulletin. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert R. Taber or Thomas A. Phemister, Railroad Safety Specialists (Hazardous Materials), Hazardous Materials Division, Office of Safety Assurance and Compliance, Federal Railroad Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1120 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20590–0001 (telephone: (202) 493–6254 or (202) 493–6050; e-mail: al.taber@dot.gov or tom.phemister@dot.gov). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background As noted in Safety Advisory 2006–04 issued on May 1, 2006, since 1990, FRA, in conjunction with Transport Canada, has documented approximately eleven known defects on tank cars built with the ACF 200 stub sill design (ACF–200 tank cars). These defects included tank PO 00000 Frm 00124 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 58907 head cracks, pad to tank cracks, sill web cracks, and tank car buckling that in some instances led to hazardous materials incidents. In addition, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) Stub Sill (SS–3) inspection data related to ACF–200 tank cars shows significant percentages of longitudinal weld cracks located in the pad to sill area, and parent metal cracks in the pad. These cracks present a possible source of the loss of tank integrity which could lead to unintended releases of hazardous materials from ACF–200 tank cars. As detailed in the Safety Advisory issued on May 1, 2006, FRA has learned that the safety concerns with the ACF– 200 stub sill design are fatigue related which could be addressed through periodic inspection and modification of the tank cars at certain intervals determined by mileage and requalification inspection and maintenance dates. Specifically, FRA understands that the fatigue-related safety concerns with the ACF–200 stub sill design can be eliminated by modifying the underframe of the tank car in accordance with ACF’s Maintenance Bulletin TC–200 (ACF Style 200 Stub Sill Underframe Enhancement, issued in May 1994) and installing the P470 angle application head brace (P470 Angle Application). Once such modifications are made to ACF–200 tank cars, the tank cars are transformed into what is known as the ACF–270 stub sill design. According to ACF, this program of retrofitting ACF– 200 tank cars to the ACF–270 design, began nearly a decade ago and has progressed through the fleet, resulting in the majority of the affected cars having already been retrofitted to the ACF–270 design. As also noted in Safety Advisory 2006–04, FRA is aware that most interested parties agree with ACF and FRA that a retrofit program is the best course of action. FRA agrees with ACF that the program established by the 1994 Maintenance Bulletin TC–200, augmented by the P470 Angle Application, is an effective method of addressing the fatigue-related safety concerns with ACF–200 tank cars. Accordingly, on May 1, 2006, FRA issued Safety Advisory 2006–04 recommending that owners of unmodified ACF–200 tank cars bring these cars into conformity with Maintenance Bulletin TC–200 and the P470 Angle Application at the earliest practicable date. See 71 FR 26604. Subsequent to publication of the Safety Advisory, FRA learned that ACF revised Maintenance Bulletin TC–200 on May 5, 2006. The revised Maintenance Bulletin, E:\FR\FM\05OCN1.SGM 05OCN1 mstockstill on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES 58908 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 193 / Thursday, October 5, 2006 / Notices TC–200 Revision A, incorporates the P470 Angle Application. This Notice No. 2 to Safety Advisory 2006–04 announces the availability of the revised Maintenance Bulletin. In addition, this Notice provides updated contact information for obtaining a copy of the Maintenance Bulletin from ACF. Recommended Action: FRA is reiterating below its original recommended actions published in Safety Advisory 2006–04, with two minor revisions. First, FRA is recommending that ACF–200 tank car owners obtain a copy of the revised version of ACF Maintenance Bulletin TC–200 (Revision A). Second, FRA has updated the contact information for obtaining the revised Bulletin from ACF. 1. ACF–200 tank car owners should enter into discussions with the car builder and decide the best course of action with regard to inspection of and modifications to tank cars built with the ACF–200 stub sill design and not yet retrofitted to the ACF–270 design. Copies of the ACF Maintenance Bulletin TC–200 Revision A are available to owners of tank cars built with the ACF– 200 underframe from—Mr. Dave Maechling, Senior Manager Leasing Services, American Railcar Leasing, 620 North Second Street, St. Charles, MO 63301. (Dmaechling@arleasing.com). 2. ACF–200 tank car owners should modify ACF–200 tank cars to the ACF– 270 design at the earliest of any of the following events: • A tank car is due for re-qualification under 49 CFR 180.509; • A tank car is recalled under an AAR Maintenance Advisory requiring modification in the draft sill area; • A tank car has been in service for 150,000 miles; or • A tank car requires general repairs and the repairs consume (or are expected to consume) at least 36 hours. 3. First priority in modifying unretrofitted ACF–200 tank cars to the ACF–270 design should go to cars in the general service fleet and, then, to the pressure car fleet. As noted in the Safety Advisory issued on May 1, 2006, FRA policy is that the owner of the car’s reporting marks is the owner of the car and primarily responsible for maintaining the car in a safe and compliant condition. However, for purposes of this Safety Advisory, FRA expects cooperation from the entity who controls the usage of the car in day to day operations, from the lessee/shipper, and from the title holder of the car. Although FRA does not see the need for further regulatory or enforcement action at this time, FRA will continue to VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:42 Oct 04, 2006 Jkt 211001 monitor the status of ACF–200 tank cars in the hazardous materials industry and will take any necessary regulatory or enforcement action to ensure the highest level of safety on the nation’s railroads. Issued in Washington, DC, on October 2, 2006. Jo Strang, Associate Administrator for Safety. [FR Doc. E6–16477 Filed 10–4–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or Modification of a Railroad Signal System or Relief From the Requirements of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 236 Pursuant to Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 235 and 49 U.S.C. 20502(a), the following railroad has petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking approval for the discontinuance or modification of the signal system or relief from the requirements of 49 CFR part 236 as detailed below. Docket No. FRA–2006–25864 Applicant: Canadian National Railway, Mr. Timothy R. Luhm, Senior Manager of S&C, Signal and Communications, 1625 Depot Street, Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481. The Canadian National Railway (CN) seeks approval of the proposed discontinuance and removal of the traffic control system on the Neenah siding runner track, from milepost 184.29 to milepost 187.42, Wisconsin Zone, Neenah Subdivision, near Neenah, Wisconsin. The reason given for the proposed changes is that the traffic control system impedes train operations. When this section of the traffic control system was installed in the first quarter of 2006, the original plan was to run through trains on this track; however, the operation plan has since changed. Any interested party desiring to protest the granting of an application shall set forth specifically the grounds upon which the protest is made, and include a concise statement of the interest of the party in the proceeding. Additionally, one copy of the protest shall be furnished to the applicant at the address listed above. All communications concerning this proceeding should be identified by the docket number and must be submitted to the Docket Clerk, DOT Central Docket Management Facility, Room PL–401 PO 00000 Frm 00125 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (Plaza Level), 400 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590–0001. Communications received within 45 days of the date of this notice will be considered by the FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be considered as far as practicable. All written communications concerning these proceedings are available for examination during regular business hours (9 a.m.–5 p.m.) at the above facility. All documents in the public docket are also available for inspection and copying on the internet at the docket facility’s Web site at https://dms.dot.gov. FRA wishes to inform all potential commenters that anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT’s complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 19477– 78) or you may visit https://dms.dot.gov. FRA expects to be able to determine these matters without an oral hearing. However, if a specific request for an oral hearing is accompanied by a showing that the party is unable to adequately present his or her position by written statements, an application may be set for public hearing. Issued in Washington, DC on October 2, 2006. Grady C. Cothen, Jr., Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Standards and Program Development. [FR Doc. E6–16475 Filed 10–4–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or Modification of a Railroad Signal System or Relief From the Requirements of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 236 Pursuant to Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 235 and 49 U.S.C. 20502(a), the following railroads have petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking approval for the discontinuance or modification of the signal system or relief from the requirements of 49 CFR part 236 as detailed below. [Docket Number FRA–2006–25893] Applicants: Union Pacific Railroad Company, Mr. Thomas T. Ogee, Assistant Vice President, Engineering E:\FR\FM\05OCN1.SGM 05OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 193 (Thursday, October 5, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58907-58908]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-16477]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration


Notice of Safety Advisory 2006-04, Notice No. 2

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

ACTION: Notice of Safety Advisory 2006-04 (Notice No. 2); Tank Cars 
with Stub Sills.

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

SUMMARY: On May 1, 2006, FRA issued Safety Advisory 2006-04 
recommending that owners of tank cars equipped with the ACF Industries, 
Incorporated (ACF) 200 stub sill design, inspect and enhance the 
underframes of such tank cars in accordance with ACF's Maintenance 
Bulletin TC-200 (issued in 1994) and by installing the P470 angle 
application head brace. See 71 FR 26604 (May 5, 2006). The Safety 
Advisory indicated that owners should contact ACF for a copy of the 
Maintenance Bulletin and for clarification of procedures and any 
additional information. This Notice announces the availability of a 
revised Maintenance Bulletin and updates the contact information for 
obtaining a copy of the Bulletin.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert R. Taber or Thomas A. 
Phemister, Railroad Safety Specialists (Hazardous Materials), Hazardous 
Materials Division, Office of Safety Assurance and Compliance, Federal 
Railroad Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1120 
Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20590-0001 (telephone: (202) 493-
6254 or (202) 493-6050; e-mail: al.taber@dot.gov or 
tom.phemister@dot.gov).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    As noted in Safety Advisory 2006-04 issued on May 1, 2006, since 
1990, FRA, in conjunction with Transport Canada, has documented 
approximately eleven known defects on tank cars built with the ACF 200 
stub sill design (ACF-200 tank cars). These defects included tank head 
cracks, pad to tank cracks, sill web cracks, and tank car buckling that 
in some instances led to hazardous materials incidents. In addition, 
the Association of American Railroads (AAR) Stub Sill (SS-3) inspection 
data related to ACF-200 tank cars shows significant percentages of 
longitudinal weld cracks located in the pad to sill area, and parent 
metal cracks in the pad. These cracks present a possible source of the 
loss of tank integrity which could lead to unintended releases of 
hazardous materials from ACF-200 tank cars.
    As detailed in the Safety Advisory issued on May 1, 2006, FRA has 
learned that the safety concerns with the ACF-200 stub sill design are 
fatigue related which could be addressed through periodic inspection 
and modification of the tank cars at certain intervals determined by 
mileage and re-qualification inspection and maintenance dates. 
Specifically, FRA understands that the fatigue-related safety concerns 
with the ACF-200 stub sill design can be eliminated by modifying the 
underframe of the tank car in accordance with ACF's Maintenance 
Bulletin TC-200 (ACF Style 200 Stub Sill Underframe Enhancement, issued 
in May 1994) and installing the P470 angle application head brace (P470 
Angle Application). Once such modifications are made to ACF-200 tank 
cars, the tank cars are transformed into what is known as the ACF-270 
stub sill design. According to ACF, this program of retrofitting ACF-
200 tank cars to the ACF-270 design, began nearly a decade ago and has 
progressed through the fleet, resulting in the majority of the affected 
cars having already been retrofitted to the ACF-270 design.
    As also noted in Safety Advisory 2006-04, FRA is aware that most 
interested parties agree with ACF and FRA that a retrofit program is 
the best course of action. FRA agrees with ACF that the program 
established by the 1994 Maintenance Bulletin TC-200, augmented by the 
P470 Angle Application, is an effective method of addressing the 
fatigue-related safety concerns with ACF-200 tank cars. Accordingly, on 
May 1, 2006, FRA issued Safety Advisory 2006-04 recommending that 
owners of unmodified ACF-200 tank cars bring these cars into conformity 
with Maintenance Bulletin TC-200 and the P470 Angle Application at the 
earliest practicable date. See 71 FR 26604. Subsequent to publication 
of the Safety Advisory, FRA learned that ACF revised Maintenance 
Bulletin TC-200 on May 5, 2006. The revised Maintenance Bulletin,

[[Page 58908]]

TC-200 Revision A, incorporates the P470 Angle Application. This Notice 
No. 2 to Safety Advisory 2006-04 announces the availability of the 
revised Maintenance Bulletin. In addition, this Notice provides updated 
contact information for obtaining a copy of the Maintenance Bulletin 
from ACF.
    Recommended Action: FRA is reiterating below its original 
recommended actions published in Safety Advisory 2006-04, with two 
minor revisions. First, FRA is recommending that ACF-200 tank car 
owners obtain a copy of the revised version of ACF Maintenance Bulletin 
TC-200 (Revision A). Second, FRA has updated the contact information 
for obtaining the revised Bulletin from ACF.
    1. ACF-200 tank car owners should enter into discussions with the 
car builder and decide the best course of action with regard to 
inspection of and modifications to tank cars built with the ACF-200 
stub sill design and not yet retrofitted to the ACF-270 design. Copies 
of the ACF Maintenance Bulletin TC-200 Revision A are available to 
owners of tank cars built with the ACF-200 underframe from--Mr. Dave 
Maechling, Senior Manager Leasing Services, American Railcar Leasing, 
620 North Second Street, St. Charles, MO 63301. 
(Dmaechling@arleasing.com).
    2. ACF-200 tank car owners should modify ACF-200 tank cars to the 
ACF-270 design at the earliest of any of the following events:
     A tank car is due for re-qualification under 49 CFR 
180.509;
     A tank car is recalled under an AAR Maintenance Advisory 
requiring modification in the draft sill area;
     A tank car has been in service for 150,000 miles; or
     A tank car requires general repairs and the repairs 
consume (or are expected to consume) at least 36 hours.
    3. First priority in modifying unretrofitted ACF-200 tank cars to 
the ACF-270 design should go to cars in the general service fleet and, 
then, to the pressure car fleet.
    As noted in the Safety Advisory issued on May 1, 2006, FRA policy 
is that the owner of the car's reporting marks is the owner of the car 
and primarily responsible for maintaining the car in a safe and 
compliant condition. However, for purposes of this Safety Advisory, FRA 
expects cooperation from the entity who controls the usage of the car 
in day to day operations, from the lessee/shipper, and from the title 
holder of the car. Although FRA does not see the need for further 
regulatory or enforcement action at this time, FRA will continue to 
monitor the status of ACF-200 tank cars in the hazardous materials 
industry and will take any necessary regulatory or enforcement action 
to ensure the highest level of safety on the nation's railroads.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 2, 2006.
Jo Strang,
Associate Administrator for Safety.
[FR Doc. E6-16477 Filed 10-4-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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