Friday, September 25, 1998 (Washington, DC)

Federal Railroad Administrator Jolene M. Molitoris today announced proposed revisions to the regulations governing the inspection and maintenance of steam locomotives. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, published in today’s Federal Register was created in part due to the June 16, 1995, accident in which a Gettysburg Passenger Services steam locomotive suffered a firebox failure and follows on steps the Federal Railroad Administration was already taking to revise regulations.

"The revised regulations will ensure the continued safe operation of steam locomotives throughout the U.S." said Administrator Molitoris. "I am pleased that these proposed rules will relieve regulatory burdens while updating and strengthening the technical requirements for steam engine maintenance."

The revisions include several significant changes including the creation of a "service-day" inspection system that directly relates inspection time periods to actual use of the locomotive. The regulations also encourage the use of advanced technologies, such as ultra-sound and ultra-sonic measurement to enable non-destructive methods for boiler testing and inspections to be used. In addition, the proposed revisions require the imposition of qualification requirements for individuals making certain repairs to steam locomotive boilers, locomotives and their appurtenances. Finally, the rule would add certain mechanical requirements in order to harmonize the steam regulations with other federal railroad standards.

Currently, there are approximately 100 steam locomotive operators in the United Sates.

The proposed regulations reflect the less frequent usage of steam locomotives in today’s national transportation system. The regulations were developed in partnership with industry by government experts in the FRA’s Railroad Safety Advisory Committee’s (RSAC) Steam Task Force of the Tourist and Historic Working Group.

The revised regulations are intended to replace Part 230 of Volume 49 in the Code of Federal Regulations. If adopted, as proposed in today’s notice, the rule would be the first revision of the steam locomotive regulations since 1968. Interested parties who wish to comment on the proposal must do so within 60 days of its publication within the Federal Register.