Curious that you bring up the passenger cars on a work train. I wondered about this in 1997 when several folks were allowed to ride the Rotary Train on Monday. A couple of coaches were added plus a rider gon. Not complaining cause it was a neat trip. I think the trip you are refering to is the 99 trip where 484 derailed with a snow removal work/passenger train.
I am not an expert on all things FRA, but I think what I get out of all this is that you are saying the FRA has no right to ask for the railroads standard proceedures that the railroad follows. And by giving that info up, the railroad is in jeopardy of being under more FRA control than it need be, thus putting itself under more scrutiny than is necessary. Does that about sum it up?
Am not taking sides on this one just trying to understand the issue entirely.
Greg Scholl