Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
Published Date: 1/30/2026
Notice
Summary
The Federal Railroad Administration wants your thoughts on a new info collection plan that helps them do their job better. If you’re involved with railroads or just curious, you can comment by March 31, 2026. This won’t cost you money but might change how much time it takes to share info with the agency.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Estimated Annual Paperwork Cost
FRA estimates the paperwork burden for these requirements totals 285,000 annual responses, 38,000 burden hours, and a dollar-equivalent cost of $2,789,580 per year across a respondent universe of 754 railroads. The estimate breaks down into 150,000 bad-order tags (5 minutes each), 75,000 removal notifications (2 minutes each), 30,000 designated-inspector records (1 minute each), and 30,000 stenciling actions (45 minutes each).
Mandatory Bad-Order Tagging
Railroads must attach a "bad order" tag (or card) describing each defect to each side of a freight car before moving it for repair under 49 CFR 215.9. Railroads must keep each tag for 90 days so inspectors can verify repairs, and FRA and State inspectors will review records to check compliance.
Freight Car Identification Stenciling
Railroads and private car owners must stencil or otherwise display identification marks on freight cars, including the car number and build date, under 49 CFR 215.301. FRA uses these marks to identify cars for safety compliance and to determine if a car qualifies for dedicated service exclusions.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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 / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-01852 — Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
The Federal Railroad Administration wants your thoughts on a new paperwork plan that helps them do their job better. If you’re involved with railroads or just curious, you can comment until March 31, 2026. This won’t cost you money but might change how info is collected to make things easier and clearer for everyone.
Next: 2026-01854 — Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
The Federal Railroad Administration wants your thoughts on a new info collection plan that helps them do their job better. If you’re involved with railroads or just curious, you can comment until March 31, 2026. This won’t cost you money but might change how info is gathered, aiming to make it easier and clearer for everyone.