Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Waiver Request for Locomotive 1309 Fifth Annual Inspection Extension

Content

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

This document provides the public notice that the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Development Corporation (WMSR) petitioned
FRA for relief from certain regulations concerning a locomotive's fifth annual inspection.

DATES:

FRA must receive comments on the petition by June 22, 2026. FRA will consider comments received after that date to the extent
practicable.

ADDRESSES:

Comments: Comments related to this docket may be submitted by going to https://www.regulations.gov and following the online instructions for submitting comments.

Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and docket number. All comments received will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov; this includes any personal information. Please see the Privacy Act heading in the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
section of this document for Privacy Act information related to any submitted comments or materials.

Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for accessing the docket.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michael Barron, Railroad Safety Specialist, FRA Motive Power & Equipment Division, telephone: 202-493-1367, email: michael.barron@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that by letter dated
March 17, 2026, WMSR petitioned FRA for a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations
contained at 49 CFR part 230 (Steam Locomotive Inspection and Maintenance Standards). FRA assigned the petition Docket Number
FRA-2026-0793.

Specifically, WMSR seeks relief from the requirements of § 230.16(a)(2), Annual inspection—fifth annual inspection, for locomotive No. 1309. In its petition, WMSR requests a six-month extension on the deadline of No. 1309's fifth annual inspection,
moving the deadline to November 1, 2026. WMSR states that the extension will “alleviate crucial shop scheduling obstacles”
and enable continuation of operations

through an important revenue season. The petition adds that the locomotive will operate no more than 100 service days during
the extension. Further, WMSR intends to complete an annual inspection by its current deadline, May 8, 2026.

A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications concerning the petition, is available for review online at www.regulations.gov.

Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings by submitting written views, data, or comments. FRA does
not anticipate scheduling a public hearing in connection with these proceedings since the facts do not appear to warrant a
hearing. If any interested party desires an opportunity for oral comment and a public hearing, they should notify FRA, in
writing, before the end of the comment period and specify the basis for their request.

Communications received by June 22, 2026 will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that
date will be considered if practicable.

Privacy Act

Anyone can search the electronic form of any written communications and comments received into any of FRA's dockets by the
name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the document, if submitted on behalf of an association, business,
labor union, etc.). Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to inform its processes. DOT posts these
comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at https://www.transportation.gov/privacy. See also https://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov.

Issued in Washington, DC.

John Karl Alexy, Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer. [FR Doc. 2026-07928 Filed 4-22-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P

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