Full title, "Safety Glazing Standards; Codifying Existing Waivers and Adding Test Flexibility" dated 4/18/22.

One of the Alaska Railroad #557 group pointed this out.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documen ... lexibility

In my opinion, a breath of fresh air that they're doing this. Note the reference to the waiver process in general (part 211) -- I wonder if this is an indication that the current FRA will revisit waivers for CEM in buff and draft on the same organized basis as here.

But... Jesus wept! A standard 24lb. cinderblock that is no longer made? Trivial physics that ignores the angle of impact against the cinderblock? Replacing it with a ball that is essentially almost a point contact in a massively inelastic collision? I have to wonder whether the new standard generates a large number of unexpected failures with previously 'compliant' glazing...

Going back about 20 years, the FRA also snuck into the rules a requirement to have said windows replaced by a "certified" worker - but never defined what that certification entailed. I don't ever recall this requirement for a "certified" repairman was ever enforced, nor was it ever on the radar of most operators in this industry. Was this rule removed?

As I understand it, most of our “heritage fleets” were exempted from Part 223 in the last revision, so you didn’t have to continuously file for waivers. The exception was that if it already had 223 glazing, it had to be replaced in kind. This new revision appears to broaden the exemption to certain equipment and adds alternative testing requirements for certified glazing.

If I’m wrong on that, please do correct me.

From what I can see, the only thing regarding "certification" is the glazing itself. In my 15 + years in the tourist industry and 25 years with the FRA (including Part 223 Waivers), I don't ever remember a requirement that a certified worker was required?

I will review older versions when I have the time, but there may have been confusion.

In any case, this will simplify and be less of a burden to the industry.

MD Ramsey

For some reason, I wasn't able to reply directly to jrod's note of 4/20 (I'm not exactly the most computer proficient person in the world). So I'll try it this way.

He is essentially correct. Under 49 CFR 223.3(b)(3)(i), Non-compliant locos, cabooses and passenger cars "that are historic and more than 50 years old and used only for excursion, educational, recreational or private transportation purposes" are generally exempt from the glazing rule. However, under 223.3(c), equipment built after 1945 must comply with emergency window requirements when operated in intercity or commuter passenger trains. Also, as jrod notes, equipment equipped with compliant glazing as of 2-6-2016 must remain in compliance with these requirements.