Six More Railroads Added to Flexible Work-Hour Waiver
Published Date: 12/9/2025
Notice
Summary
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association wants to add six more railroads to a special rule that changes work-hour limits for railroad workers. This affects those six railroads and their employees, helping them manage hours more flexibly. People have until January 8, 2026, to share their thoughts, and the change could impact how these railroads schedule their crews.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Six Railroads Added to HOS Waiver
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association petitioned FRA (letter dated September 10, 2025) to add six named railroads to an existing waiver of certain hours-of-service (HOS) regulations under 49 U.S.C. 21103(a)(4). The six railroads are East Penn Railroad; Kansas City Intermodal Terminal; New England Southern Railroad; New Hampshire Central Railroad; Port Bienville Railroad; and Semo Port Railroad/Motive Rail.
Crew Scheduling May Change for Employees
If you work for any of the six named railroads, the petition would place your employer under the waiver of certain hours-of-service rules, which could change how your work-hour limits are applied and how your railroad schedules crews.
Headquarters Must Keep Employee Support Records
Each railroad seeking to participate in the waiver must maintain at its headquarters supporting documentation of employee support for participation, as required by the waiver terms.
ASLRRA Will Provide Waiver Training
ASLRRA states it conducts training multiple times annually for waiver participants to clarify the waiver's requirements for participants.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16593, Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
The Federal Railroad Administration wants your thoughts on their plan to collect info from the public to help them do their job better. They’re asking for comments by October 13, 2026, to make sure the process is clear, useful, and not too much work. This affects anyone who might provide info to the FRA and aims to keep things smooth without extra costs or hassle.
2026-16592, Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
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.
2026-15724, High-Speed Train Noise Emission Standards
This NPRM seeks to amend the noise emission regulations to address the unique noise emission characteristics of trains operating at speeds exceeding 160 miles per hour (mph). Specifically, the proposed regulation would provide an alternative standard for noise emissions from train operations exceeding 160 mph, up to 220 mph, and also provide a special approval process for noise emissions from train operations exceeding 220 mph. This alternative noise emission standard and compliance process would effectively remove an existing regulatory barrier to the railroad industry for high-speed rail operations, while continuing to protect public health and welfare. Existing noise emission limits for all train operations at speeds up to 160 mph would continue to apply, and these existing limits would remain available for demonstrating compliance at higher speeds as well.
2026-15605, Qualification and Certification of Locomotive Engineers and Conductors; English Language Proficiency and Other Requirements
FRA proposes to amend its regulations governing the qualification and certification of locomotive engineers and conductors to establish English language proficiency as a requirement for a railroad carrier to certify and recertify locomotive engineers and conductors. FRA also proposes that each railroad carrier conducting a triennial examination of skill performance, and an annual operational monitoring observation for locomotive engineers, which are current requirements, conduct those examinations and observations without engaging energy management systems that limit the need for a locomotive engineer to operate the throttle or braking systems. Further, FRA proposes to codify limitations on operations at the southern border, including a 10 route-mile geographic limitation, to ensure domestic training, testing, and certification requirements for Mexican crew members are adequate. In addition, FRA proposes changes to clarify that a locomotive engineer or conductor's territorial qualification is limited to the specific direction of travel traversed during the qualification process.
2026-14324, Notice of Petition for Amendment of Waiver of Compliance
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association wants to add 8 more railroads to a special rule that changes work-hour limits for train workers. This affects those railroads and their employees by allowing some flexibility in hours, with safety training included. The public can share their thoughts by September 14, 2026, before any decision is made.
2026-14328, Notice of Petition for Waiver of Compliance
CSX Transportation asked the Federal Railroad Administration to let some of their long-haul trains run up to 1,785 miles before needing certain brake tests and inspections. This change affects trains on approved routes with special safety detectors and aims to keep safety strong while making operations smoother. People can share their thoughts on this by September 14, 2026.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-22362, Hours of Service of Drivers: Application for Exemption; Northern Clearing, Inc.
Northern Clearing, Inc. asked for special permission to let their drivers work longer hours while helping clean up after Hurricane Helene. The government said no because it wouldn’t keep drivers and the public as safe as current rules do. So, drivers must stick to the usual driving time limits, keeping everyone safer without extra costs or delays.
Next: 2025-22365, Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau wants to keep collecting info that stops bad credit reports for human trafficking victims. This affects businesses that handle consumer credit info and helps protect people from unfair credit damage. Comments on this plan are open until February 9, 2026, so speak up if you have thoughts!