FRA Establishes 2026 Emergency Relief Docket for Rail Safety Waivers

2026-13785 — Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is asking for your thoughts on a paperwork plan they want to keep using. This plan affects people and businesses involved with railroads and won’t cost extra money or add new forms. You’ve got until August 7, 2026, to share your ideas before the government makes a final call.

2026-13787 — Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is asking for your thoughts on a new paperwork plan they want to send to the Office of Management and Budget for approval. This affects anyone who deals with FRA’s info requests, but so far, no one has shared any comments. You’ve got until August 7, 2026, to speak up before the paperwork gets the green light, and there’s no expected cost change for those involved.

2026-13296 — Petition for Approval of Test Program

Union Pacific Railroad wants to test a new locomotive control system that could make train operations safer by letting operators control trains right where the work happens. To do this, they’re asking the government to temporarily pause some safety rules during the test. If approved, the public can share their thoughts by August 31, 2026, and this test could change how trains run without extra costs for now.

2026-12849 — Notice of Petition for Waiver of Compliance

The Virginia Museum of Transportation asked for a special pass to skip removing a fragile brick inside their steam locomotive during yearly inspections. They say taking the brick out usually breaks it, but they can still check it well enough with less damage. People have until August 24, 2026, to share their thoughts, and this could save time and money while keeping the train safe.

2026-11515 — Notice of Petition for Waiver of Compliance

The Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis (TRRA) wants to renew a special permission to skip some brake tests on their transfer trains because their blast furnace is firing back up in 2026. This means trains will start running again, and they need the waiver to keep things moving smoothly without extra brake checks. The public can share their thoughts by August 10, 2026, before the decision is made.

2026-11516 — Notice of Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance

St. Mary's Railway West wants to keep its special safety break that lets train workers report close calls without fear of punishment. This helps everyone stay safer by encouraging honest sharing of near-misses. The public can share their thoughts on this by August 10, 2026, but no money changes are involved.

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.