September 9, 2014: (NPRM) Securement of Unattended Equipment

The Federal Railroad Administration is proposing to amend the current brake system safety standards for freight and other non-passenger trains and equipment. The proposed changes would strengthen the requirements relating to the securement of unattended equipment. The FRA is planning to codify many of the requirements that are already included in the Emergency Order 28, Establishing Additional Requirements for Attendance and Securement of Certain Freight Trains and Vehicles on Mainline Track or Mainline Siding Outside of a Yard or Terminal. The proposed amendment focuses primarily on trains that transport poisonous by inhalation hazardous materials or large volumes of Division 2.1 (flammable gases), Class 3 (flammable or combustible liquids) and Class 1.1 or 1.2 (explosives) hazardous materials and will include additional securement requirements for unattended equipment. In addition, the FRA is proposing requirements on all locomotives that are left unattended outside a yard to be equipped with an operative exterior locking mechanism. Attendance on trains would be required on equipment not capable of being secured in accordance with the proposed and existing requirements.
Written comments are being accepted until November 10, 2014. The FRA anticipates being able to resolve this rulemaking without a public hearing. However, if a specific request for a public hearing is made before October 9, 2014 a hearing will be scheudled and the FRA will publish a supplemental document in the Federal Register to inform any interested parties of the date, time and location of that hearing.

To read the entire proposed rule and obtain information on where to submit your comments please visit Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 174 /