Document
Notice of Petition for Waiver of Compliance
This document provides the public notice that Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NS) petitioned FRA for relief from certain regulations concerning training requirements.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that by undated letter received February 25, 2026, NS petitioned FRA for relief from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations contained at 49 CFR part 232, Brake System Safety Standards for Freight and Other Non-Passenger Trains and Equipment; End-of-Train Devices. The relevant Docket Number is FRA-2018-0100.
Specifically, NS seeks relief from § 232.203(b)(8),
Training requirements,
to use virtual simulations using web-based or desktop software to satisfy the “hands-on” portion of periodic refresher training for transportation employees. NS states that since the blended training curriculum provides a greater volume of defects than in a real-world scenario, its “employees are able to more accurately identify issues, recognize patterns, and apply corrective actions with greater confidence and consistency.” NS also notes that it is prepared to implement the training “across conductor and supervisor crafts.”
A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications concerning the petition, is available for review online at
www.regulations.gov.
Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings by submitting written views, data, or comments. FRA does not anticipate scheduling a public hearing in connection with these proceedings since the facts do not appear to warrant a hearing. If any interested party desires an opportunity for oral comment and a public hearing, they should notify FRA, in writing, before the end of the comment period and specify the basis for their request.
Communications received by June 22, 2026 will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be considered if practicable.
Privacy Act
Anyone can search the electronic form of any written communications and comments received into any of FRA's dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the document, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to inform its processes. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to
www.regulations.gov,
as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at
https://www.transportation.gov/privacy.
See also
https://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice
for the privacy notice of
regulations.gov.
Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.