BNSF Railway Petitions to Delay Air Brake Tests for Cost Savings
Published Date: 4/29/2026
Notice
Summary
BNSF Railway wants to extend the time between air brake system tests on certain locomotives from 184 days to even longer. This change affects rail safety rules and could save time and money for BNSF and other railroads using these brake systems. The public can share their thoughts by June 29, 2026, before the Federal Railroad Administration makes a decision.
Free Policy Watch
New rules are filed every week. Most people never see them.
Pick a topic. PRIA watches every federal rule and tells you when one hits your household.
Pick a topic to get started
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Extend Air Brake Test Interval
Participating railroads petitioned to allow air flow method (AFM) indicator calibration tests to be done every 368 days on locomotives equipped with the New York Air Brake (NYAB) CCB-II and Fastbrake systems, up from the current 184-day interval. The petition says the existing relief originally extended AFM test intervals from 92 days to 184 days, and now BNSF requests 368-day intervals.
Waiver Cited Worker Safety Benefits
BNSF states the waiver has reduced risk exposures to craftspeople, standardized calibration processes, improved training, and enhanced air system reliability on locomotives. Those claimed benefits are presented in support of extending AFM test intervals from 184 days to 368 days.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in