FRA Freight Car Reporting, Comments Due May 14

Content

ACTION:

Notice of information collection; request for comment.

SUMMARY:

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding
the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment.
The ICR describes the information collection and its expected burden. On January 30, 2026, FRA published a notice providing
a 60-day period for public comment on the ICR. FRA received no comments in response to the notice.

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before May 14, 2026.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed ICR should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find the particular ICR by selecting “Currently under Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Joanne Swafford, Information Collection Clearance Officer, at email: joanne.swafford@dot.gov or telephone: (757) 897-9908.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520, and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 1320, require Federal agencies to issue two notices
seeking public comment on information collection activities before OMB may approve paperwork packages. See 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.8 through 1320.12. On January 30, 2026, FRA published a 60-day notice in the
Federal Register
soliciting public comment on the ICR for which it is now seeking OMB approval. See 91 FR 4165. FRA received zero comments related to the proposed collection of information.

Before OMB decides whether to approve this proposed collection of information, it must provide 30 days' notice for public
comment. Federal law requires OMB to approve or disapprove paperwork packages between 30 and 60 days after the 30-day notice
is

  published. 44 U.S.C. 3507(b) and (c); 5 CFR 1320.12(d); *see also* 60 FR 44978, 44983 (Aug. 29, 1995). The 30-day notice informs the regulated community of their opportunity to file relevant
  comments and affords the agency adequate time to consider public comments before it renders a decision. 60 FR 44983 (Aug.
  29, 1995). Therefore, respondents should submit their respective comments to OMB within 30 days of publication to best ensure
  having their full effect.

Comments are invited on the following ICR regarding: (1) whether the information collection activities are necessary for FRA
to properly execute its functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of FRA's
estimates of the burden of the information collection activities, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions
used to determine the estimates; (3) ways for FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information being collected;
and (4) ways to minimize the burden of information collection activities on the public, including the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology.

The summary below describes the ICR that FRA will submit for OMB clearance as the PRA requires:

Title: Bad Order and Home Shop Card and Stenciling Reporting Mark.

OMB Control Number: 2130-0519.

Abstract: Under 49 CFR part 215, railroads are required to inspect freight cars placed in service and take remedial action when defects
are identified. Under 49 CFR 215.11, a railroad must also maintain a record for each of the designated persons qualified to
inspect railroad freight cars for part 215 compliance. A railroad freight car with a part 215 defect may be moved to another
location for repair only after the railroad has complied with the process under 49 CFR 215.9. Section 215.9 requires railroads
to affix a “bad order” tag (or card) describing each defect to each side of the freight car. It is imperative that a defective
freight car be tagged “bad order” (or “home shop for repairs”) so it can be readily identified and moved to another location
for repair purposes only, and so that the maximum speed and other restrictions necessary for safely conducting the movement
are known. At the repair location, the “bad order” tag serves as a notification of the defective condition of the freight
car. Railroads must retain each tag for 90 days to verify that proper repairs were made at the designated location. When inspecting
freight cars, FRA and State inspectors review all pertinent records to determine railroads' compliance with the movement restrictions
of § 215.9.

In addition, § 215.301 requires railroads and private car owners to stencil or otherwise display identification marks on freight
cars, including a car number and build date. FRA uses identification marks to help obtain certain information related to a
car's compliance with Federal safety requirements. The marks are used consistently across railroad records to identify the
car and show: the type of car, what it is carrying, its movement history, and current maintenance schedule. Using the marks
to identify the car helps FRA determine the application of Federal safety requirements to that car and who is responsible
for compliance. FRA also uses this information to determine if the freight car qualifies for dedicated service and is excluded
from the requirements of part 215. Railroads use the required information to provide identification and control so that dedicated
cars remain in the prescribed service.

Type of Request: Extension without change of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Businesses.

Form(s): N/A.

Respondent Universe: 754 railroads.

Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

Total Estimated Annual Responses: 285,000.

Total Estimated Annual Burden: 38,000 hours.

Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: $2,789,580.

FRA informs all interested parties that it may not conduct or sponsor, and a respondent is not required to respond to, a collection
of information that does not display a currently valid OMB control number.

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.

Christopher S. Van Nostrand, Deputy Chief Counsel. [FR Doc. 2026-07178 Filed 4-13-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P

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