FRA deregulatory rules have been finalised for the first group of changes in the agency’s programme for the US rail network. The Federal Railroad Administration has completed 11 changes. It has also removed more than 1,000 words from the Federal Register. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

FRA deregulatory rules cut US rail requirements
Photo: Amtrak

The Federal Railroad Administration said the measures are intended to support the development of new solutions. It also said they are intended to modernise industry practices and strengthen safety for rail workers and passengers in the United States.

FRA deregulatory rules cover recordkeeping and waivers

The wider deregulatory package was published by the FRA in early July 2025. It was designed to remove redundant and decades-old requirements. It also formally incorporates long-running FRA Safety Board waivers into regulation. The latest announcement confirms that the first rules from that package have reached final status.

The finalised actions cover several areas of rail regulation. These include recordkeeping, enforcement procedures, certification waivers, freight car markings and the train horn regulation. They remove stencilling obligations for some railroad freight cars. The change applies to cars used only for tourist, historic, excursion, educational, recreational, or private purposes.

Also, railroads may meet accident/incident reporting recordkeeping duties electronically. The rule allows them to post a list of all injuries and occupational illnesses at an establishment.

Separately, other changes update enforcement procedures by permitting electronic service. They also clarify the FRA’s enforcement discretion. The rules codify long-established waivers for some certification requirements. Those waivers provide relief for railroads in the FRA-sponsored Confidential Close Call Reporting System programme. They relate to locomotive engineer and conductor certification requirements.

Train horn regulation also revised

In addition, the FRA has codified longstanding waivers in its train horn regulation. It did so by revising the definition of a non-traversable curb. This makes it possible to allow highway speeds of up to 45 mph when a curb is installed.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said:

We can’t build big, beautiful infrastructure that will serve Americans for generations if our industries are burdened by outdated regulations that stifle innovation and ignore the latest safety practices.

These critical updates will enhance safety, support our great rail workforce, and enable the next wave of innovative technologies on our tracks.

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