FRA Issues Final Rule on Train Crew Size
WASHINGTON – Today, The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a final rule requiring two crew members on nearly all freight and passenger trains.
Federal Railroad Administration
FRA to Congress: Visual Track Inspections Still Necessary, for Now
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has submitted to Congress “Automated Track Inspection Technologies,” a report (download below) required under the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act. Sent to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, the
FRA Awards $570MM for Grade Crossing Elimination Projects
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on June 5 reported that 63 projects will share more than $570 million in Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program funding to address safety at 400-plus at-grade crossings nationwide. The awards for
FRA Issues RFI For Old Crossties
The Federal Railroad Administration is seeking information on “potential uses and options for disposal or repurposing of used creosote-treated railroad ties (CTRTs).” (Presumably not for landscaping, though Home Depot actually sells them
FRA to Railroads: Approval Required for PTC System Outages Under Certain Conditions
Railroads now must seek Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) approval before temporarily disabling their Positive Train Control (PTC) systems during infrastructure upgrades or capital projects, according to a notification in the Federal Register. A previous provision allowing them to just notify FRA of the disablement has expired.
Amtrak Kicking Off $6B B&P Tunnel Replacement Program
Amtrak on March 10 will start early construction work for the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program. The nearly 150-year-old, 1.4-mile tunnel that connects Baltimore, Md., and Washington, D.C., is a single point of
Amtrak Petitions FRA to Retire Maryland Fixed Wayside Signals
Amtrak is seeking Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) approval to retire fixed wayside signals as automatic block points on the Mid-Atlantic Division’s Philadelphia-to-Washington, line (a Northeast Corridor branch), according to a notice in the Federal Register’s Jan. 17 edition.
Watch: Central Valley Training Center Celebrates 2022 Graduates
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) on Dec. 9 celebrated the seventh cohort in the labor industry to complete the Central Valley Training Center’s 12-week pre-apprenticeship program in Selma, Calif.
U.S. DOT announces over $573 million in funding for new grade crossing elimination program
The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announcing more than $573 million in available grant funding this year alone for the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program.
FRA announces new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Program for intercity passenger rail service
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has established the new Corridor Identification and Development (ID) Program.
U.S. DOT Office of Inspector General says FRA automated track inspections need improvement
The U.S. DOT Office of Inspector General has reported that the Federal Railroad Administration needs to improve its automated track inspection program, and issued six recommendations for doing so.
BNSF, FRA automated track inspection dispute in federal court
This piece by Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William Vantuono appeared in the magazine’s news feed on Thursday, April 21. This court case addresses a very important issue, so we are reproducing it here. DCL
FRA Administrator Bose urges STB to support Amtrak Gulf Coast service
FRA Administrator Amit Bose testified on behalf of the Department at the Surface Transportation Board Hearing on Amtrak’s application seeking to restore passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast (Docket No. FD 36496).
FRA slots track safety symposium
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is holding its first-ever Track & Roadway Workplace Safety Symposium on April 5-7 at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel in Missouri; attendance is free.
Amtrak CEO confirms which two rail projects are a priority with new funding
Waiting for a huge increase in allowance, you can’t blame Amtrak for making a wish list.
Metra starts work to rebuild Grayland Station, replace bridge over Milwaukee Ave.
Metra is working on a key rebuilding and replacement project on the railroad.
FRA: Proper safety checks by BNSF could have prevented December derailment
A Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) report says vandalism may have caused the derailment of a BNSF train in Custer, Wash., back in December. The FRA, however, has not cleared BNSF of any wrongdoing.
FRA to fund grants for rail improvement opportunities
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration today announced a notice of funding opportunity, making available nearly $362 million through its Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant Program.
FRA and California resolve dispute over Cooperative Agreement
The FRA and California are ready to work together again toward the development of high-speed rail.
California High-Speed Rail Authority meets federal funding deadline well ahead of schedule
About ten days ago, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) secured federal funding prior to the deadline.