From: stephen@sprunk.org   
      
   On 04-Jun-14 16:42, Kurt Hackenberg wrote:   
   > A while ago we heard news quoting the head of the FRA (Szabo?),   
   > saying the FRA was rewriting its safety rules, and saying something   
   > like "we won't be building tanks anymore".  Naturally we all hope   
   > that means an end to the buffer strength rule, and the possibility of   
   > the US having light, low, fast passenger trains, like the rest of the   
   > developed world.   
   >   
   > I haven't heard anything lately.  Is there news?  Is there hope?   
      
   AFAIK, they're still working on them.   
      
   DCTA's Standler GTW, which is the first non-FRA design allowed in mixed   
   service, may provide a preview of what's coming, though it was approved   
   via a waiver since the new "Tier III" rules weren't complete in time.   
   Hopefully, we'll see a lot more of this soon, which will help motivate   
   the FRA to actually finish them.   
      
   S   
      
   --   
   Stephen Sprunk         "God does not play dice."  --Albert Einstein   
   CCIE #3723         "God is an inveterate gambler, and He throws the   
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