Rail Groups Push to Extend Track Safety Waiver Deal
Published Date: 3/4/2026
Notice
Summary
The Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority, Lackawanna County, and Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad Company want to keep their special permission to skip some railroad safety rules for their shared tracks. They asked the Federal Railroad Administration to extend this waiver, and the public can share their thoughts by April 3, 2026. This helps these groups keep things running smoothly without extra costs or delays while staying safe.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Request to Extend Safety Waiver
The Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority, Lackawanna County, and Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad Company petitioned FRA (Docket FRA-2000-7275) on February 4, 2026 to extend relief from specific Federal railroad safety regulations—including 49 CFR Sec. 229.129, parts 221, 223, 231, 238, 239, and 240—for shared-use trackage involving the Lackawanna County Historical Trolley Excursion. The petition says the trolley is a "living history" exhibit and uses temporal separation that guarantees exclusive use of the shared trackage during excursions.
Public Comments Will Be Posted Publicly
Comments on this petition must be received by April 3, 2026 and will be posted without change to regulations.gov; that posting includes any personal information commenters provide. Anyone who submits a written comment should expect their submission to be publicly searchable by name on the docket.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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