FRA proposes changes to locomotive engineer certification

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) yesterday announced a notice of proposed rulemaking to update the regulation governing locomotive engineer qualification and certification.

The proposed change would make the rule consistent with the corresponding regulation for conductors, FRA officials said in a press release.

If approved, the rule would adopt the conductor certification regulation process established in 2012 by making conforming amendments to the engineer certification regulation, which was issued in 1991 and last amended in 2000.

The proposed rule would reduce overall regulatory reporting and cost burdens for railroads and locomotive engineers, the officials said. Additionally, harmonization of the conductor and engineer regulations would provide greater clarity to locomotive engineers.

Comments on the proposal are due July 8. The full proposal can be read here.

"The proposed revisions would modernize locomotive engineer certification regulations to match those for train conductors, and provide regulatory efficiencies and cost savings without compromising safety,” said FRA Administrator Ronald Batory. “The proposal would streamline the engineer certification process, and reduce paperwork burdens for the responsible parties.”