Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) petitioned the FRA for a waiver of compliance from portions of the railroad safety regulations. SEPTA’s petition focuses on Title 49 CFR 238.309(b)(2) which states that brake equipment and brake cylinders of multiple unit locomotives (MU) that are a part of a fleet which is 100% equipped with air dryers and has a brake system that uses RT-5A – style valves be cleaned, repaired and tested every 1,104 days. SEPTA is asking that the maintenance of the Silverliner V MU fleet, which uses the RT-5A+ brake system and employs a microprocessor based control system, be pushed to 1,840 days, which will fall in line with the maintenance schedule of other air brake systems that also incorporate microprocessor controls.
FRA does not have plans at this time to hold a public meeting but is accepting written comments until November 23, 2015.
