Norfolk Southern Railway Virtual Simulation Training Waiver Petition

Content

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

This document provides the public notice that Norfolk Southern

Railway Company (NS) petitioned FRA for relief from certain regulations concerning training requirements.

DATES:

FRA must receive comments on the petition by June 22, 2026. FRA will consider comments received after that date to the extent
practicable.

ADDRESSES:

Comments: Comments related to this docket may be submitted by going to https://www.regulations.gov and following the online instructions for submitting comments.

Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and docket number. All comments received will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov; this includes any personal information. Please see the Privacy Act heading in the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
section of this document for Privacy Act information related to any submitted comments or materials.

Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for accessing the docket.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Check Kam, Rail Safety Specialist, FRA Motive Power & Equipment Division, telephone: 202-366-2139, email: check.kam@dot.gov.

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. [FR Doc. 2026-07925 Filed 4-22-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P

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