# Notice of Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance
**AGENCY:**
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT).
**ACTION:**
Notice.
**SUMMARY:**
This document provides the public notice that the Michigan State Trust for Railway Preservation, Inc. (MSTP) petitioned FRA for an extension of relief from certain regulations concerning stenciling and reflectorization of rail cars.
**DATES:**
FRA must receive comments on the petition by April 1, 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:**
Caleb Rogers, Railroad Safety Specialist, FRA Motive Power & Equipment Division, telephone: 202-493-6322, email: *[email protected].*
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that by letter received January 14, 2026 MSTP petitioned FRA for an extension of a special approval pursuant to 49 CFR part 215 (Railroad Freight Car Safety Standards), and a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations contained in parts 215 and 224 (Reflectorization of Rail Freight Rolling Stock). The relevant Docket Number is FRA-2021-0074.
Specifically, MSTP requests to extend the previous special approval pursuant to § 215.203, *Restricted cars,* in this docket for 3 cabooses (MSTP 2838, MSTP 2839, and MSTP A909) that are more than 50 years from the date of original construction. MSTP also seeks extended relief from § 215.303, *Stenciling of restricted cars,* and the reflectorization requirements of part 224. [^1] MSTP states that the cars will not operate in freight service and will be used for photography or filmmaking.
[^1] FRA recently published a Final Rule, *Reflectorization of Rail Freight Rolling Stock; Codifying Existing Waivers,* which, in part, codified waivers for reflectorization on freight rolling stock used exclusively in tourist operations. *See* 91 FR 3375 (Jan. 27, 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 April 1, 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.