Title 40

SECTION 92.705

92.705 Remedial plan.

§ 92.705 Remedial plan.

(a) When any manufacturer or remanufacturer is notified by the Administrator that a substantial number of any class or category of locomotives or locomotive engines, although properly maintained and used, do not conform to the applicable regulations of this part (including emission standards or family emission limits), the manufacturer or remanufacturer shall submit a plan to the Administrator to remedy such nonconformity. The plan shall contain the following:

(1) A description of each class or category of locomotive or locomotive engine to be recalled including the year(s) of manufacture or remanufacture, the make, the model, the calendar year and such other information as may be required to identify the locomotives or locomotive engines to be recalled.

(2) A description of the specific modifications, alterations, repairs, corrections, adjustments or other changes to be made to bring the locomotives or locomotive engines into conformity, including a brief summary of the data and technical studies which support the manufacturer's or remanufacturer's decision as to the particular remedial changes to be used in correcting the nonconformity.

(3) A description of the method by which the manufacturer or remanufacturer will determine the names and addresses of locomotive or locomotive engine owners.

(4) A description of the proper maintenance or use, if any, upon which the manufacturer or remanufacturer conditions eligibility for repair under the remedial plan, an explanation of the manufacturer's or remanufacturer's reasons for imposing any such condition, and a description of the proof to be required of a locomotive or locomotive engine owner to demonstrate compliance with any such condition. Eligibility may not be denied solely on the basis that the locomotive or locomotive engine owner used parts not manufactured or remanufactured by the original locomotive or locomotive engine manufacturer or remanufacturer, or had repairs not performed by such manufacturer or remanufacturer. No maintenance or use condition may be imposed unless it is, in the judgement of the Administrator, demonstrably related to preventing the nonconformity.

(5) A description of the procedure to be followed by locomotive or locomotive engine owners to obtain correction of the nonconformity. This shall include designation of the date on or after which the owner can have the nonconformity remedied, the time reasonably necessary to perform the labor required to correct the nonconformity, and the designation of facilities at which the nonconformity can be remedied: Provided, That repair shall be completed within a reasonable time designated by the Administrator from the date the owner first tenders his locomotive or locomotive engine after the date designated by the manufacturer or remanufacturer as the date on or after which the owner can have the nonconformity remedied.

(6) If some or all of the nonconforming locomotives or locomotive engines are to be remedied by persons other than authorized warranty agents of the manufacturer or remanufacturer, a description of the class of persons other than authorized warranty agents of the manufacturer or remanufacturer who will remedy the nonconformity, and a statement indicating that the participating members of the class will be properly equipped to perform such remedial action.

(7) Three copies of the letters of notification to be sent to locomotive or locomotive engine owners.

(8) A description of the system by which the manufacturer or remanufacturer will assure that an adequate supply of parts will be available to perform the repair under the remedial plan including the date by which an adequate supply of parts will be available to initiate the repair campaign, the percentage of the total parts requirement of each person who is to perform the repair under the remedial plan to be shipped to initiate the campaign, and the method to be used to assure the supply remains both adequate and responsive to owner demand.

(9) Three copies of all necessary instructions to be sent to those persons who are to perform the repair under the remedial plan.

(10) A description of the impact of the changes on fuel consumption, operability, and safety of each class or category of locomotives or locomotive engines to be recalled and a brief summary of the data, technical studies, or engineering evaluations which support these conclusions.

(11) Any other information, reports or data which the Administrator may reasonably determine is necessary to evaluate the remedial plan.

(b)(1) Notification to locomotive or locomotive engine owners shall be made by first class mail or by such means as approved by the Administrator.

(2) The manufacturer or remanufacturer shall use all reasonable means necessary to locate locomotive or locomotive engine owners.

(3) The Administrator reserves the right to require the manufacturer or remanufacturer to send by certified mail or other reasonable means subsequent notification to locomotive or locomotive engine owners.

(c)(1) The manufacturer or remanufacturer shall require those who perform the repair under the remedial plan to affix a label to each locomotive or locomotive engine repaired or, when required, inspected under the remedial plan.

(2) The label shall be placed in such location as approved by the Administrator consistent with Federal Railroad Administration regulations and shall be fabricated of a material suitable for the location in which it is installed and which is not readily removable intact.

(3) The label shall contain:

(i) The recall campaign number; and

(ii) A code designating the campaign facility at which the repair, or inspection for repair was performed.

(4) The Administrator reserves the right to waive any or all of the requirements of this paragraph (c) if he/she determines that they constitute an unwarranted burden to the manufacturer or remanufacturer.

(d) The Administrator may require the manufacturer or remanufacturer to conduct tests on components and locomotives or locomotive engines incorporating a change, repair, or modification reasonably designed and necessary to demonstrate the effectiveness of the change, repair, or modification.

Note to § 92.705:

An interpretive ruling regarding § 92.705 is published in Appendix II to this part.