RSA to FRA: Rule would help protect freight-rail security

The Rail Security Alliance (RSA), which represents North American freight-car manufacturers and suppliers, submitted comments in support of a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) proposed rulemaking to safeguard the U.S. freight-rail interchange system from foreign threats. 

The proposed rule — originally introduced as the Stopping America's Foreign Enemies Through Rail and Infrastructure National Security, or SAFE TRAINS Act — was enacted as a provision in the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act and signed into law in November 2021, according to an RSA news release.

It prevents freight cars and sensitive technologies on rail cars operating within the U.S. freight-rail network from being produced by countries on U.S. watchlists, most notably China.

"The constant movement on the U.S. freight-rail interchange is vital to America’s security, which makes the freight rail-car sector worth safeguarding," said RSA Executive Director Erik Olson. "The proposed rule that FRA has issued helps ensure that foreign adversaries like China cannot exploit our freight rail infrastructure or make inroads into this critical industry. We commend the FRA for their work."

Although Buy America requirements and the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act take steps to protect some aspects of domestic freight-car manufacturing and supply, they "do not afford the freight rail-car industry protections against an influx of state-subsidized rolling stock or components," RSA officials said. The FRA's proposed rulemaking closes that gap and is critical to ensuring the continued security of the general U.S. railroad system, they said.

Other rail-car industry stakeholders that support the FRA's proposed rule include the Steel Manufacturers Association, American Iron and Steel Institute, Foundry Society, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Railway Supply Institute, United Steelworkers, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen and the Canadian Association of Railcar Suppliers.