# 2026-01326: Illinois Railroads Push for 3D Simulation Training Waivers

2026-01326, Notice of Petition for Amendment of Waiver of Compliance, is a Federal Register notice from Transportation Department, Federal Railroad Administration published 2026-01-23, effective FRA must receive comments on the petition by February 23, 2026. FRA will consider comments received after that date to the extent practicable. (as of 2026-06-08).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01326
- As of: 2026-06-08
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-01326
- Title: Notice of Petition for Amendment of Waiver of Compliance
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Railroad Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 2988
- Published: 2026-01-23
- Effective: FRA must receive comments on the petition by February 23, 2026. FRA will consider comments received after that date to the extent practicable.
- Comments close: 2026-02-23
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-08

## In one line

Illinois Railroads Push for 3D Simulation Training Waivers

## Summary

Illinois Central Railroad and its U.S. subsidiaries want to change some training rules for their workers, using more 3D simulation instead of hands-on practice. They’ve asked the government to update their current waiver, and the public can share thoughts by February 23, 2026. This could make training easier and possibly save time and money for the railroads.

## Abstract

This document provides the public notice that Illinois Central Railroad Company, on behalf of itself and all US-based railroad subsidiaries of Canadian National Railway Company (CN), petitioned FRA for an amendment of relief from certain regulations concerning training requirements.

## Effects PRIA read

- Expand Simulation to Field Staff: mixed, low. If you work for Illinois Central/CN as a field supervisor or an employee who repairs freight cars, CN has asked FRA to let simulation training (three-dimensional, web-based or desktop software) satisfy the required "hands-on" portion of training under 49 CFR 232.203(b)(8). FRA previously granted re…
- Allow Simulation Every Training Cycle: mixed, low. If you are covered by CN's waiver, CN asks FRA to allow simulation training in every refresher training cycle instead of alternating simulation cycles with operational testing/field hands-on training. The current May 2, 2023 relief required alternation; CN requested this change in a petition dated…
- Limit Employee Opt-Out Rights: cost, low. If you are a CN employee covered by the waiver, CN asked FRA to remove the existing option that allows employees to opt out of simulation training (the sixth condition of the May 2, 2023 relief), except in certain circumstances. CN made this request in its August 13, 2025 petition (Docket FRA-2020-…

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## Sources
- [2026-01326 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/23/2026-01326/notice-of-petition-for-amendment-of-waiver-of-compliance)
- [2026-01326 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-23/pdf/2026-01326.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-01325, Notice of Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01325)
- [Next: 2026-01327, Notice of Petition for Waiver of Compliance](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01327)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01326 (as of 2026-06-08).