FRA Establishes 2026 Emergency Relief Docket for Rail Safety Waivers

2026-10308 — Notice of Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance

Amtrak asked the Federal Railroad Administration to extend a break from some safety rules about train brakes and crew training. This affects passenger trains and gives Amtrak more time to meet certain safety standards without penalties. People have until July 21, 2026, to share their thoughts on this extension, which helps keep trains running smoothly while safety updates continue.

2026-10307 — Notice of Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance

The Housatonic Railroad Company asked for more time to keep a special rule that lets their train workers work 6 days in a row before getting 24 hours off, instead of the usual 48 hours. This change helps the railroad run smoother and keeps workers less tired. People can share their thoughts on this by July 21, 2026.

2026-09792 — Certification of Signal Employees

The Federal Railroad Administration is proposing to cancel the rule that required signal employees to be certified. This affects railroad signal workers and companies, giving them more time to weigh in by July 14, 2026. No new costs or deadlines will kick in until the decision is final, so stay tuned!

2026-09791 — Certification of Dispatchers

The Federal Railroad Administration is proposing to cancel its 2024 rule that would have required railroad dispatchers to get certified. This change affects dispatchers and the rail companies that employ them, potentially saving time and money by avoiding new certification steps. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by July 14, 2026!

2026-09790 — Training, Qualification, and Oversight for Safety-Related Railroad Employees

Starting July 14, 2026, railroad companies must follow clearer and updated rules for training and checking safety-related workers. This means better training, tougher qualifications, and stronger oversight to keep everyone safer on the rails. The new rule affects all safety-related railroad employees and aims to improve safety without causing big costs or delays.

2026-09443 — Notice of Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance

Northern Central Railway of York wants to keep using special rules for the glass on their old steam locomotive No. 17, which runs tourist trips. They’re asking to expand where it can operate to include new tracks between Gettysburg and Mount Holly Springs, PA. People have until July 13, 2026, to share their thoughts, and this helps keep fun train rides rolling without costly upgrades.

Previous: 2026-00376 — Notice of Petition for Waiver of Compliance

BNSF Railway wants to change when they do safety checks on their remote control locomotives, asking to delay a required test until the first time the train moves on a protected track instead of within two hours of a shift starting. This affects BNSF’s train crews and aims to keep safety strong while making operations smoother. The public can share their thoughts by February 11, 2026, before the decision is made.

Next: 2026-00378 — Chromium Trioxide From India and Turkey; Determinations

The U.S. International Trade Commission found that imports of chromium trioxide from India and Turkey might be hurting American businesses by being sold too cheaply or getting unfair government help. This means the U.S. could add extra taxes to these imports to protect local companies. The process started in late 2025, and businesses involved should watch for upcoming decisions that could affect prices and trade.