Feds Expand Allowed Variations in Locomotive Wheel Diameters
Published Date: 7/1/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FRA is updating rules to allow bigger size differences in locomotive wheels that use AC technology. This change helps railroads use new tech and keeps trains running safely and smoothly. It mainly affects big rail companies and aims to save time and money by letting them be more flexible with wheel sizes.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Expanded Wheel Diameter Variation for AC Locomotives
The Federal Railroad Administration proposes to allow larger differences in diameter for locomotive wheel sets that use alternating current (AC) technology. This change responds to a Class I railroad's May 2019 petition and is meant to help railroads use new traction motor control technology, keep trains running safely and smoothly, and save time and money by allowing more flexibility with wheel sizes.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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