November 25, 2019: Petition for Waiver of Compliance

Norfolk Southern Corporation submitted a petition to FRA requesting a waiver of compliance regarding 49 CFR part 232, Brake System Safety Standards for Freight and Other Non-Passenger Trains and Equipment.
In the petition, NS specifically requests relief from § 232.305(b)(2), which requires a single car air brake test (SCABT) when a ‘‘car is on a shop or repair track . . . for any reason and has not received a [SCABT] within the previous 12-month period.’’
NS would like to replace FRA condemnable and other non-condemnable wheelsets on railcars as part of an in-train wheelset replacement program, without performing the required SCABT. However, any railcars that are due for the 5 and 8 year SCABTs would be addressed.
Additionally, NS is requesting the relief be applied to all its unit trains that are receiving in-train wheel replacement as part of the wheelset replacement program.
Interested parties may submit comments on the petition until January 9, 2020.

Docket Number FRA–2019–0090