SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that by letter dated June 5, 2026, CSXT petitioned FRA for a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations contained at 49 CFR part 229 (Railroad Locomotive Safety Standards). FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2026-1684.

Specifically, CSXT seeks relief from the requirements of § 229.23(b)(2), Periodic inspection: general, related to locomotives equipped with advanced microprocessor-controlled systems. CSXT seeks to eliminate the requirement for QMIs to perform a daily inspection once every 33 days on a microprocessor-equipped locomotives maintained on extended 184-day periodic inspection cycles.

In support of its request, CSXT states that microprocessor-based systems allow “continuous monitoring of locomotive health and system performance” and “immediate digital reporting [of such performance] to mechanical personnel,” enabling the identification and rectification of issues in real time before they impact the locomotive's operation. CSXT asserts that its ability to use the data from microprocessor-based systems to identify developing faults and provide continuous oversight and rapid response “exceeds the value of a periodic 33-day inspection,” which creates “additional line-of-road exposure [and] disruption in train operations” and “diverts skilled mechanical personnel away from shop-based maintenance activity.”

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 November 2, 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 www.transportation.gov/​privacy. See also www.regulations.gov/​privacy-notice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov.

91 FR 56279