Standardization News

Many children (and adults) love trains, and now an ASTM subcommittee has turned its attention to trains as well. Subcommittee F24.60 on Special Rides/Attractions, part of ASTM International Committee F24 on Amusement Rides and Devices, is working on two proposed standards for amusement railway rides, WK31185, Practice for Amusement Ride Steam Locomotives, and WK35400, Practice for Amusement Railway Ride Tracks, Devices and Facilities.

Don Schmidt, director of attraction maintenance, Busch Gardens Tampa, and an F24 member, says WK31185 will provide owners and operators of amusement-related steam locomotives with a reference that will help them maintain, operate and inspect their equipment to promote guest and employee safety.

According to its proposed scope, WK35400 will apply "to the design, manufacture, installation, operation, maintenance and inspection of permanently installed amusement railway ride tracks and their associated devices and facilities, i.e., bridges, tunnels and signal support structures, excluding rolling stock."

Joel Fritsche, executive director, Walt Disney Imagineering, and an F24 member, notes that the proposed standard covers roadway, ties, rail joints, rails, turnouts and related equipment..

All interested parties are invited to participate in the development of WK31185 and WK35400. Amusement park owners that operate railways will be the primary users of the proposed standards, once each has been completed.

CONTACT Technical Information: (WK31185) Doug Schmidt, Busch Gardens Tampa • Tampa, Fla. • Phone: 813-987-5458; (WK35400) Joel Fritsche, Walt Disney Imagineering • Glendale, Calif. • Phone: 818-544-6928 • Email: joel.l.fritsche@disney.com O ASTM Staff: Leonard Morrissey • Phone: 610-832-9719 O Upcoming Meeting: Feb. 16-18 • Fort Lauderdale, Fla.