USA: The Virginia two-person crew law requires at least two qualified railroaders on covered freight operations after Governor Abigail Spanberger signed the measure on April 13, 2026.

SMART-TD members seated inside the Virginia Capitol during the two-person crew campaign
SMART-TD members inside the Virginia Capitol during advocacy for the state’s two-person freight crew law. Photo credit: SMART Transportation Division

The core requirement covers freight trains, locomotives and light engines. SMART Transportation Division (SMART-TD) said the signing concluded a years-long campaign for a legally mandated two-person crew in the state.

SMART-TD describes the two roles as complementary: an engineer operates the locomotive, while a conductor monitors the track and train and can respond to emergencies. The union presents that staffing model as a safety measure for rail workers and communities along freight routes. It also argues that rail companies have a financial incentive to reduce crew positions.

Earlier veto preceded the 2026 signing

According to SMART-TD, an equivalent proposal passed Virginia’s legislature with bipartisan support two years earlier, but then-Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed it. Union members continued pressing for the requirement after that decision.

The 2026 measure succeeded after a change in the governor’s office. SMART-TD described Spanberger as a supporter of the two-person requirement and framed the outcome as an example of state elections directly affecting rail safety policy.

SMART-TD credits its member campaign

The union said members went to the Virginia Capitol, spoke with lawmakers and argued that two-person crews would benefit both railroad safety and communities. Virginia Safety and Legislative Director Ronnie Hobbs credited that advocacy and the response from legislators:

“I can’t thank our members enough for their work to get this passed,” emphasized Hobbs. “Lawmakers listened to their constituents and prioritized the safety of communities throughout the commonwealth. We’re proud to join the list of states where 2-PC is the law of the land and hope that it continues to grow!”

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State rule operates alongside federal crew-size standard

Virginia Code § 56-425.1 applies the two-person requirement to trains, locomotives and light engines used in freight movement, with an exception for hostler or utility service. It also directs the State Corporation Commission’s annual railroad-safety report to include probable violations of 49 CFR § 218.123 investigated by its Division of Utility and Railroad Safety and reported to the Federal Railroad Administration.

At federal level, 49 CFR Part 218, Subpart G generally requires at least two crewmembers, subject to specified exceptions and a special-approval process for certain one-person operations. The Virginia provision therefore operates alongside an existing federal crew-size framework.

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