# Federal Railroad Administration 20 documents across 7 days of the archive, 11 of them final rules. The five most recent days are below. [HTML](https://downstream.sh/daily/agency/federal-railroad-administration/) · [the long-form archive](https://downstream.sh/daily/agency/federal-railroad-administration/archive.md) · [the daily issue](https://downstream.sh/daily/index.md) ## Dates this agency has set that have not yet arrived | Date | Offset | What | Document | Agency | |---|---|---|---|---| | 2026-09-30 | +26d | Takes effect | [Permitting Use of Computer-Based, Three-Dimensional Simulation for Periodic Refresher Training on Brake Systems](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17792/permitting-use-of-computer-based-three-dimensional-simulation-for-periodic-refresher-training-on) | Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration | | 2026-09-30 | +26d | Takes effect | [Miscellaneous Amendments to FRA's Accident Reporting Regulations](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17791/miscellaneous-amendments-to-fras-accident-reporting-regulations) | Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration | | 2026-09-30 | +26d | Takes effect | [Retiring Form FRA F 6180.107 and Form FRA F 6180.150](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17790/retiring-form-fra-f-6180107-and-form-fra-f-6180150) | Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration | | 2026-09-30 | +26d | Takes effect | [Repealing Outdated Railroad Workplace Safety Requirements and Making Other Improvements](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17789/repealing-outdated-railroad-workplace-safety-requirements-and-making-other-improvements) | Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration | | 2026-09-30 | +26d | Takes effect | [Expanding Certain Locomotive Wheel Set Diameter Variations](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17788/expanding-certain-locomotive-wheel-set-diameter-variations) | Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration | | 2026-09-30 | +26d | Takes effect | [Repealing Special Approval Requirement for Freight Cars More Than 50 Years Old](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17787/repealing-special-approval-requirement-for-freight-cars-more-than-50-years-old) | Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration | | 2026-09-30 | +26d | Takes effect | [Enhancing Railroad Discretion in Sounding Locomotive Horns at Passenger Stations](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17786/enhancing-railroad-discretion-in-sounding-locomotive-horns-at-passenger-stations) | Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration | | 2026-09-30 | +26d | Takes effect | [Amendments to Brake System Maintenance and Inspection Requirements](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17784/amendments-to-brake-system-maintenance-and-inspection-requirements) | Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration | | 2026-09-30 | +26d | Takes effect | [Regulatory Relief From Locomotive Horn Sounding Pattern at Public Highway-Rail Grade Crossings](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17783/regulatory-relief-from-locomotive-horn-sounding-pattern-at-public-highway-rail-grade-crossings) | Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration | | 2026-09-30 | +26d | Takes effect | [Regulatory Relief for End of Car Cushioning Units](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17782/regulatory-relief-for-end-of-car-cushioning-units) | Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration | | 2026-09-30 | +26d | Comments close | [Petition for Approval of Test Program; Extension of Comment Period](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/01/2026-17778/petition-for-approval-of-test-program-extension-of-comment-period) | Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration | | 2026-10-13 | +39d | Comments close | [Notice of Petition for Modification of Waiver of Compliance](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/11/2026-16347/notice-of-petition-for-modification-of-waiver-of-compliance) | Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration | | 2026-10-13 | +39d | Comments close | [Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/14/2026-16593/proposed-agency-information-collection-activities-comment-request) | Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration | | 2026-10-13 | +39d | Comments close | [Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/14/2026-16592/proposed-agency-information-collection-activities-comment-request) | Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration | | 2026-11-02 | +59d | Comments close | [Notice of Petition for Waiver of Compliance](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/01/2026-17870/notice-of-petition-for-waiver-of-compliance) | Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration | | 2026-11-02 | +59d | Comments close | [Notice of Petition for Waiver of Compliance](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/01/2026-17869/notice-of-petition-for-waiver-of-compliance) | Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration | ## 3 September 2026 — 1 document [the whole issue for this day](https://downstream.sh/daily/2026-09-03.md) > The Federal Railroad Administration published Safety Advisory 2026-01 regarding restricted speed compliance and seven recent train accidents. — via Downstream, https://downstream.sh/daily/agency/federal-railroad-administration/#s-2026-09-03 *Machine-written by `claude-haiku-4-5-20251001` from the documents below.* ### Safety Advisory 2026-01; Restricted Speed *Notice* — Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration FRA is issuing Safety Advisory 2026-01 to remind railroads and their employees of the importance of compliance with Federal regulations and railroad operating rules governing restricted speed. This Safety Advisory contains a summary of seven recent train accidents involving failure to operate at restricted speed and makes recommendations to railroads to ensure employee compliance with restricted speed requirements, with particular emphasis on operations in positive train control (PTC) Restricted Mode. 91 FR 56709 · FR Doc. 2026-17996 · [official PDF](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-09-03/pdf/2026-17996.pdf) · [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/03/2026-17996/safety-advisory-2026-01-restricted-speed) ## 1 September 2026 — 4 documents [the whole issue for this day](https://downstream.sh/daily/2026-09-01.md) > The Federal Railroad Administration finalized National Environmental Policy Act implementing regulations revising procedures for environmental reviews. — via Downstream, https://downstream.sh/daily/agency/federal-railroad-administration/#s-2026-09-01 *Machine-written by `claude-haiku-4-5-20251001` from the documents below.* ### National Environmental Policy Act Regulations *Rule · significant under E.O. 12866* — Transportation Department · Federal Highway Administration · Federal Railroad Administration · Federal Transit Administration FHWA, FRA, and FTA (collectively referred to as the "Agencies") are finalizing the interim final rule (IFR) published on July 3, 2025, which revised the Agencies' National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 implementing regulations in light of the removal of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations, the amendments to NEPA included in the section of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FR Act) of 2023, known as the Building United States Infrastructure through Limited Delays and Efficient Reviews (BUILDER) Act of 2023, amendments regarding efficient environmental reviews included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021, and the Supreme Court decision in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition. The Agencies provided a 30-day comment period for the public to review and comment on the IFR. This final rule addresses public comments received and finalizes the IFR with minor technical changes. - **Takes effect** 1 September 2026 (3 days ago) 91 FR 56029 · FR Doc. 2026-17904 · [official PDF](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-09-01/pdf/2026-17904.pdf) · [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/01/2026-17904/national-environmental-policy-act-regulations) ### Notice of Petition for Waiver of Compliance *Notice* — Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration This document provides the public notice that CSX Transportation Inc. (CSXT) petitioned FRA for relief from certain regulations concerning inspections performed by qualified mechanical inspectors (QMIs). - **Comments close** 2 November 2026 (in 59 days) 91 FR 56279 · FR Doc. 2026-17870 · [official PDF](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-09-01/pdf/2026-17870.pdf) · [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/01/2026-17870/notice-of-petition-for-waiver-of-compliance) ### Notice of Petition for Waiver of Compliance *Notice* — Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration This document provides the public notice that Union Pacific Railroad Company (UPRR) petitioned FRA for relief from certain regulations concerning inspections performed by qualified mechanical inspectors (QMIs). - **Comments close** 2 November 2026 (in 59 days) 91 FR 56281 · FR Doc. 2026-17869 · [official PDF](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-09-01/pdf/2026-17869.pdf) · [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/01/2026-17869/notice-of-petition-for-waiver-of-compliance) ### Petition for Approval of Test Program; Extension of Comment Period *Notice* — Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration This document extends the period for public comment regarding the Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) request for FRA approval of a test program related to a locomotive control system, and the temporary suspension of certain FRA safety regulations in connection with that program. - **Comments close** 30 September 2026 (in 26 days) 91 FR 56280 · FR Doc. 2026-17778 · [official PDF](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-09-01/pdf/2026-17778.pdf) · [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/01/2026-17778/petition-for-approval-of-test-program-extension-of-comment-period) ## 31 August 2026 — 10 documents [the whole issue for this day](https://downstream.sh/daily/2026-08-31.md) ### Permitting Use of Computer-Based, Three-Dimensional Simulation for Periodic Refresher Training on Brake Systems *Rule* — Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration This rule permits railroads to use a simulation that is instructor-led, computer-based, and three-dimensional (3D) to satisfy the hands-on portion of periodic refresher training under FRA's brake system training requirements, consistent with waivers FRA has granted to date. This computer-based 3D simulation training can provide employees with randomized scenarios that may not be readily available for hands-on training and facilitate real-time feedback on performance of duties. - **Takes effect** 30 September 2026 (in 26 days) 91 FR 55784 · FR Doc. 2026-17792 · [official PDF](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/pdf/2026-17792.pdf) · [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17792/permitting-use-of-computer-based-three-dimensional-simulation-for-periodic-refresher-training-on) ### Miscellaneous Amendments to FRA's Accident Reporting Regulations *Rule* — Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration This rule makes miscellaneous amendments to FRA's accident reporting regulations. Specifically, these amendments promote submitting documents to FRA electronically, eliminate redundant regulations, and allow railroads with additional time to complete certain forms. - **Takes effect** 30 September 2026 (in 26 days) 91 FR 55767 · FR Doc. 2026-17791 · [official PDF](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/pdf/2026-17791.pdf) · [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17791/miscellaneous-amendments-to-fras-accident-reporting-regulations) ### Retiring Form FRA F 6180.107 and Form FRA F 6180.150 *Rule* — Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration This rule retires Form FRA F 6180.107, "Alternative Record for Illnesses Claimed to be Work-Related" (Form 6180.107), and Form FRA F 6180.150, "Highway User Injury Inquiry Form" (Form 6180.150). This rule also changes the record retention period required under FRA's accident reporting regulations and makes other technical corrections. - **Takes effect** 30 September 2026 (in 26 days) 91 FR 55771 · FR Doc. 2026-17790 · [official PDF](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/pdf/2026-17790.pdf) · [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17790/retiring-form-fra-f-6180107-and-form-fra-f-6180150) ### Repealing Outdated Railroad Workplace Safety Requirements and Making Other Improvements *Rule* — Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration This rule repeals several roadway workplace safety requirements that have become obsolete. In addition, FRA establishes a new special approval procedure to enable regulated entities, after public notice and FRA approval, to utilize an alternative approach to bridge worker safety that provides for an equivalent or better level of safety. Also, this rule clarifies that the required training for operators of roadway maintenance machines equipped with a crane includes specific aspects such as maintaining vertical clearance. - **Takes effect** 30 September 2026 (in 26 days) 91 FR 55749 · FR Doc. 2026-17789 · [official PDF](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/pdf/2026-17789.pdf) · [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17789/repealing-outdated-railroad-workplace-safety-requirements-and-making-other-improvements) ### Expanding Certain Locomotive Wheel Set Diameter Variations *Rule* — Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration This rule amends FRA's locomotive safety regulations to expand the maximum permitted variation in diameter for locomotive wheel sets using alternating current technology, in response to a Class I railroad's May 2019 petition for rulemaking and innovations in traction motor control. - **Takes effect** 30 September 2026 (in 26 days) 91 FR 55776 · FR Doc. 2026-17788 · [official PDF](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/pdf/2026-17788.pdf) · [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17788/expanding-certain-locomotive-wheel-set-diameter-variations) ### Repealing Special Approval Requirement for Freight Cars More Than 50 Years Old *Rule* — Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration This rule amends FRA's freight car safety regulations to repeal the requirement for special approval to place or to continue a freight car in service if it is more than 50 years old or equipped with any design or type component listed in appendix A to part 215. This final rule allows railroads to continue or to place such cars in service with notice to FRA, providing certain information that has previously been required in petitions for special approval. - **Takes effect** 30 September 2026 (in 26 days) 91 FR 55756 · FR Doc. 2026-17787 · [official PDF](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/pdf/2026-17787.pdf) · [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17787/repealing-special-approval-requirement-for-freight-cars-more-than-50-years-old) ### Enhancing Railroad Discretion in Sounding Locomotive Horns at Passenger Stations *Rule* — Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration This final rule amends safety standards related to the use of the locomotive horn to clarify that no Federal regulation requires a railroad to sound a locomotive horn because of the presence of a passenger station. The final rule clarifies that a railroad has discretion to determine policies for sounding a locomotive horn at a passenger station through railroad operating rules. The final rule also provides that if a railroad decides to sound a locomotive horn at a passenger station, the minimum sound level requirements in FRA's Railroad Locomotive Safety Standards do not apply to the sound produced by the horn. - **Takes effect** 30 September 2026 (in 26 days) 91 FR 55762 · FR Doc. 2026-17786 · [official PDF](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/pdf/2026-17786.pdf) · [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17786/enhancing-railroad-discretion-in-sounding-locomotive-horns-at-passenger-stations) ### Amendments to Brake System Maintenance and Inspection Requirements *Rule* — Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration This rule amends mechanical equipment safety standards related to brake inspections for passenger and freight rail equipment and incorporates longstanding waivers for locomotive brake system maintenance and inspection requirements. The amendments are consistent with the mandates of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which require FRA to review and analyze certain longstanding waivers to determine whether incorporating the waivers into FRA's regulations is justified, and Executive Order 14219, Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Deregulatory Initiative. - **Takes effect** 30 September 2026 (in 26 days) 91 FR 55779 · FR Doc. 2026-17784 · [official PDF](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/pdf/2026-17784.pdf) · [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17784/amendments-to-brake-system-maintenance-and-inspection-requirements) ### Regulatory Relief From Locomotive Horn Sounding Pattern at Public Highway-Rail Grade Crossings *Rule* — Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration This final rule amends safety standards related to use of the locomotive horn to provide regulatory relief from the required pattern of sounding the locomotive horn in two long blasts, one short blast, and one long blast for locomotive engineers operating trains, locomotive consists, or individual locomotives that have stopped in close proximity to a public highway-rail grade crossing. This final rule allows locomotive engineers to vary the locomotive horn sounding pattern to one single blast of the horn as they enter the nearby public highway-rail grade crossing. - **Takes effect** 30 September 2026 (in 26 days) 91 FR 55764 · FR Doc. 2026-17783 · [official PDF](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/pdf/2026-17783.pdf) · [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17783/regulatory-relief-from-locomotive-horn-sounding-pattern-at-public-highway-rail-grade-crossings) ### Regulatory Relief for End of Car Cushioning Units *Rule* — Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration This rule amends freight car draft arrangement and end-of-car cushioning unit (EOCC) regulations to make permanent relief currently provided by waiver. The amendments will allow a freight car to remain in service if the EOCC is operative and equipped with a unit condition indicator (UCI) that indicates a non-discharged EOCC. This change will permit such EOCCs to remain in service despite the presence of clearly formed oil droplets on the unit. The amendments preserve the requirement to repair or replace an EOCC with clearly formed oil droplets if the unit does not have a UCI. - **Takes effect** 30 September 2026 (in 26 days) 91 FR 55753 · FR Doc. 2026-17782 · [official PDF](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/pdf/2026-17782.pdf) · [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17782/regulatory-relief-for-end-of-car-cushioning-units) ## 25 August 2026 — 1 document [the whole issue for this day](https://downstream.sh/daily/2026-08-25.md) > The Federal Railroad Administration published a notice on August 25, 2026, limiting the time to file claims challenging environmental decisions for the Elwood to Braidwood Track Construction Project. — via Downstream, https://downstream.sh/daily/agency/federal-railroad-administration/#s-2026-08-25 *Machine-written by `claude-haiku-4-5-20251001` from the documents below.* ### Notice of Limitation on Claims Against Elwood to Braidwood Track Construction Project *Notice* — Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration This notice announces final environmental action taken for the Elwood to Braidwood Track Construction Project. The purpose of this notice is to advise the public of the time limit to file any claims that may challenge these decisions and other Federal permits, licenses, and approvals for the Project. 91 FR 54915 · FR Doc. 2026-17260 · [official PDF](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-25/pdf/2026-17260.pdf) · [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/25/2026-17260/notice-of-limitation-on-claims-against-elwood-to-braidwood-track-construction-project) ## 14 August 2026 — 2 documents [the whole issue for this day](https://downstream.sh/daily/2026-08-14.md) > The Federal Railroad Administration published two notices requesting public comment on proposed information collection activities under the Paperwork Reduction Act. — via Downstream, https://downstream.sh/daily/agency/federal-railroad-administration/#s-2026-08-14 *Machine-written by `claude-haiku-4-5-20251001` from the documents below.* ### Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request *Notice* — Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, FRA seeks approval of the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below. Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified in the ICR. - **Comments close** 13 October 2026 (in 39 days) 91 FR 52778 · FR Doc. 2026-16593 · [official PDF](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-14/pdf/2026-16593.pdf) · [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/14/2026-16593/proposed-agency-information-collection-activities-comment-request) ### Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request *Notice* — Transportation Department · Federal Railroad Administration Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, FRA seeks approval of the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below. Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified in the ICR. - **Comments close** 13 October 2026 (in 39 days) 91 FR 52776 · FR Doc. 2026-16592 · [official PDF](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-14/pdf/2026-16592.pdf) · [federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/14/2026-16592/proposed-agency-information-collection-activities-comment-request) ## Earlier 2 further days are in the [long-form archive](https://downstream.sh/daily/agency/federal-railroad-administration/archive.md). ## Ask an assistant instead Everything on this page is also a tool call. Add `mcp.downstream.sh` as an MCP server — no key, no account — then paste this: ``` Using the Downstream MCP server at mcp.downstream.sh, call whats_new_since with agency "Federal Railroad Administration" since 2026-08-14, then summarise what changed and list every deadline it created. ``` Reaches `whats_new_since`. The response carries its own citations and states what it is missing, including which dates it has no record for. --- Every document linked here is a work of the United States government and in the public domain. The Federal Register's HTML and XML renderings are unofficial; the PDF on each item is the official text, and that is the one to cite. Counts are arithmetic over published fields, dates are printed as filed, and titles are verbatim. Where we have nothing, this says nothing rather than estimating. The one-sentence agency summaries are machine-written from those same fields and are labelled where they appear. 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