Union Railroad submitted a petition to FRA requesting a renewal to a previously approved waiver of compliance regarding the regulation that mandates its 121 locomotives be equipped with pilots, snowplows, or end plates.
Union Railroad states that 32 of those locomotives are currently in service but not equipped with a pilot, snowplow, or end plate. However, they do contain hose boxes or brackets that are above the rails with open space between. The locomotives in question operate on 20 miles of yard and mainline track between three steel mills. There are three public grade crossings that contain gates and/or flashers. There have been no known safety concerns or operating difficulty associated with the current waiver.
FRA does not plan to hold a public hearing on this matter but will accept comments from interested parties until June 27, 2016.
