Amtrak Has Filed a Train Control Amendment
Published: November 10, 2026
By: Adam Burns
On October 26, 2026, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Amtrak, submitted a request for amendment to one of its FRA-approved Positive Train Control Safety Plans. The Federal Railroad Administration published that request for comment on November 10, 2026. The plan at issue covers Amtrak’s Interoperable Electronic Train Management System. The request seeks approval for updates associated with system enhancements FRA has already approved, revised safety analyses for Amtrak and MARC high-speed operations, updated risk assessment information, operational and functional clarifications, and the supporting papers that go with them.
Amtrak P42-8 #100 - wearing a 50th anniversary livery - leads train 290, the Ethan Allen Express, at Saratoga Springs, New York on December 16, 2023. Doug Kroll photo.
What the filing asks FRA to approve
The notice is FR Doc. 2026-22934, in Docket No. FRA-2010-0029. The Federal Register document details cite 91 FR 72612, pages 72612-72613. It was filed at 8:45 a.m. on November 9, 2026. FRA describes the paper as a notice of availability and a request for comments. A request of this kind may include a material modification of a signal or train control system that FRA has already certified.
Under 49 U.S.C. 20157(h), FRA certifies that a host railroad’s positive train control system complies with 49 CFR part 236, subpart I, before that system is operated in revenue service. Before certain later changes, the host railroad submits a request for amendment under 49 CFR 236.1021 and obtains FRA approval. When that request includes a material modification, 49 CFR 236.1021(e) calls for a Federal Register notice and an invitation to comment under 49 CFR part 211.
The Amtrak request is in the docket. FRA keeps the authority to approve it, to approve it with conditions, or to deny it, at its sole discretion. The November 10 notice is the invitation to comment.
How to comment
FRA will consider comments received by November 30, 2026. FRA may consider comments received after that date to the extent practicable and without delaying implementation of valuable or necessary modifications to a PTC system. A later paragraph in the same notice repeats that FRA will consider comments or data submitted within the timeline the notice sets and, to the extent practicable, without delaying those modifications.
Comments go to regulations.gov. The contact is Gabe Neal, Staff Director of the Signal, Train Control, and Crossings Division, at 816-516-7168 or Gabe.Neal@dot.gov. John Karl Alexy, Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety and Chief Safety Officer, issued the notice in Washington, DC.
Related reading on American-Rails.com
Sources
- Federal Railroad Administration, “Amtrak’s Request To Amend Its Positive Train Control Safety Plan and Positive Train Control System,” Federal Register, November 10, 2026, FR Doc. 2026-22934, document details 91 FR 72612, pages 72612-72613, Docket No. FRA-2010-0029, filed 11-9-26 at 8:45 a.m. Notice of availability and request for comments. On October 26, 2026, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) submitted a request for amendment to one of its FRA-approved Positive Train Control Safety Plans. The request may involve proposed material modifications to an FRA-certified positive train control system. The plan is the PTCSP for Amtrak’s Interoperable Electronic Train Management System. The request seeks approval for updates associated with previously approved system enhancements, revised Amtrak and MARC high-speed operations safety analyses, updated risk assessment information, operational and functional clarifications, and associated supporting documentation. The request is in Docket No. FRA-2010-0029. Comments received by November 30, 2026, will be considered. Comments after that date may be considered to the extent practicable and without delaying implementation of valuable or necessary modifications to a PTC system. The supplementary text repeats that comments or data submitted within the stated timeline will be considered and, to the extent practicable, without delaying those modifications. See 49 CFR 236.1021 and 49 CFR 236.1011(e). Under 49 CFR 236.1021, FRA may approve, approve with conditions, or deny the request at its sole discretion. 49 U.S.C. 20157(h) requires certification under 49 CFR part 236, subpart I, before revenue-service operation, and 49 CFR 236.1021(e) requires this notice when the request includes a material modification of a signal or train control system. Contact Gabe Neal, Staff Director, Signal, Train Control, and Crossings Division, 816-516-7168, Gabe.Neal@dot.gov. Issued in Washington, DC, by John Karl Alexy, Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer. federalregister.gov/documents/2026/11/10/2026-22934/amtraks-request-to-amend-its-positive-train-control-safety-plan-and-positive-train-control-system.
Recent Articles
-
Denton County Asks to Extend Stadler Car Relief
Nov 10, 26 01:05 PM
Denton County Transit Authority has asked the FRA to extend a waiver for its Stadler diesel multiple-unit cars. Comments run to January 11, 2027. -
FreightCar America Reports Third-Quarter Results
Nov 10, 26 01:02 PM
FreightCar America reported third-quarter revenue of $76.5 million and 662 railcar deliveries. Backlog stood at 2,660 cars valued at $284.5 million. -
Amtrak Has Filed a Train Control Amendment
Nov 10, 26 12:53 PM
Amtrak asked the FRA on October 26, 2026, to amend the safety plan for its Interoperable Electronic Train Management System. Comments are due November 30, 2026. -
SunRail Signal Waiver Is Open for Comment
Nov 10, 26 12:25 PM
FRA has asked for comment on a petition to extend signal-testing relief on the Central Florida Rail Corridor. The notice names both the corridor and CSXT. Comments run to January 11, 2027. -
Cars and Units Rose With BNSF Third-Quarter Earnings
Nov 10, 26 12:18 PM
Berkshire Hathaway reports that after-tax BNSF earnings increased 19.3 percent in the third quarter of 2026, with car and unit volumes up 3.9 percent. -
Amtrak Chicago Platforms Are Moving Toward Level Boarding
Nov 10, 26 12:13 PM
Amtrak says construction is underway soon on the first level boarding platforms at Chicago Union Station, a 112 million dollar, 30-month project. -
Maryland Has New Penn Line Times on November 16
Nov 10, 26 12:07 PM
MARC Penn Line schedules change on November 16, 2026, after Amtrak trains return to regular schedules. Weekend southbound trains are unchanged. -
Building Contract for Metrolink Sidings Goes to Granite
Nov 10, 26 12:00 PM
Granite says Metrolink awarded a 51.5 million dollar SCORE contract for sidings near downtown Los Angeles and in Rancho Cucamonga. -
EMD "F2" Locomotives: Specs, Roster, History
Nov 10, 26 12:22 AM
EMD F2, the 1,350-horsepower bridge between the FT and the F3. 104 locomotives, July through November 1946. Spotting features, specifications, and the production roster. -
Southern Pacific Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Nov 10, 26 12:08 AM
Southern Pacific diesel roster with builder serials, order numbers, Texas and New Orleans numbers, and the 1965 renumbering. Alco, Baldwin, Fairbanks-Morse, Electro-Motive, General Electric, Krauss-Ma… -
Southern Pacific Steam Roster: Post 1900
Nov 09, 26 11:56 PM
Southern Pacific steam locomotives built since 1900. Pacific Lines, Texas and Louisiana Lines, cab-forwards, the GS 4-8-4s, and five narrow-gauge Ten-Wheelers. The quantity column counts the rows as p… -
Canal Street Yard Assessment Stays Open Through December 7
Nov 09, 26 01:07 PM
The FRA signed the Canal Street Yard environmental assessment on November 6, 2026. Public inspection runs through December 7, and meeting dates are not confirmed. -
NS Legacy Cab-Signal Comments Are Due November 9
Nov 09, 26 01:05 PM
The FRA must receive comments by November 9, 2026, on a Norfolk Southern plan to drop legacy cab signals on 14 line segments and rely on positive train control. -
Elimination Grant of $27.8 Million Reaches Scott Road in Allen County
Nov 09, 26 12:53 PM
Allen County received $27,878,116, also stated as $27.8 million, to design and build a grade separation where Scott Road crosses Norfolk Southern. -
Vermont Receives $60.3 Million for the Western Corridor
Nov 09, 26 12:45 PM
Vermont will receive $60.3 million to rehabilitate about 60 miles of the Western Corridor. The delegation quote also calls the sum $60 million. -
Burlingame Grade Separation Wins a Federal Grant
Nov 09, 26 10:42 AM
Rep. Kevin Mullin said on November 5, 2026 that the FRA awarded $90.4 million for the Caltrain Broadway grade separation in Burlingame. Early work is expected in May 2027. -
Orange County Rail Line Gets a Coastal Permit
Nov 09, 26 10:18 AM
The California Coastal Commission on November 5, 2026 approved a 10-year permit for the San Clemente rail line, including about 690,000 cubic yards of sand. -
Railroad Quiet Zones Are Reinstated in St. Louis
Nov 09, 26 10:14 AM
St. Louis said on November 6, 2026 that the FRA reinstated the city quiet zones. Horns are to stop after railroad systems are updated. -
Southern Pacific Railroad: Map, History, Logo
Nov 08, 26 01:58 PM
The Southern Pacific, from the December 2, 1865 charter and the Big Four to Sprint, the Rio Grande Industries purchase of 1988, and the Union Pacific merger of February 1, 1997. -
California Awards Flexible Rail Aid to Nine Projects
Nov 08, 26 01:15 PM
CalSTA on November 5, 2026 awarded $66.58 million in flexible State Rail Assistance to nine California projects. Each amount in the summary is a cap, printed as up to. -
CSX Leaves Three Days Out of the Weekly Reports
Nov 08, 26 12:02 PM
CSX told the Surface Transportation Board it cannot recover October 27-29 data for the EP 724 and EP 787 reports covering the week ending October 30, 2026. -
NJ Transit Advances Three Station Housing Projects
Nov 08, 26 11:56 AM
NJ Transit on November 5, 2026 advanced station projects in Jersey City, Bound Brook, and Morristown. The three are projected to add more than 1,000 homes. -
River Fox Train Wraps a Locomotive for America 250
Nov 08, 26 11:06 AM
The River Fox Train in West Sacramento wrapped a locomotive with America 250 markings, the American flag, and the Sacramento skyline. The wrap is expected to stay through 2027. -
California Keeps Metrolink Service in the 2027 Budget
Nov 07, 26 11:35 PM
Metrolink says a California State Transportation Agency grant lets the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget keep service at current levels. The board hearing is November 13, 2026. -
WM's 4-6-6-4 Locomotives (M-2): Specs, Roster, History
Nov 07, 26 04:37 PM
Western Maryland class M-2, twelve Baldwin 4-6-6-4s numbered 1201-1212, built in 1940 and 1941 for Hagerstown-Connellsville fast freight. Roster, specifications, and retirement in 1952-1953. -
Missouri Pacific Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Nov 07, 26 04:26 PM
Missouri Pacific diesel roster with builder serials, order numbers, subsidiary lettering, and renumberings. Alco, Baldwin, Electro-Motive, and General Electric. Texas and Pacific locomotives are on th… -
Missouri Pacific Steam Roster (Built Since 1900)
Nov 07, 26 04:21 PM
Missouri Pacific steam locomotives built since 1900. Drury quantity column 1,439. Sedalia rebuilds counted once, 1,407 frames. Last steam was 0-6-0 9301 in November 1955. -
Missouri Pacific Railroad: Map, Locomotives, Logo, History
Nov 07, 26 04:19 PM
The Missouri Pacific was a large Midwestern that carried a long history of financial difficulty until later years. -
LIRR Service Changes Start on November 9
Nov 07, 26 03:15 PM
New Long Island Rail Road schedules start on every branch on Monday, November 9, 2026. Midday and weekend times change. Rush hour does not. Babylon service returns in stages. -
Draft EA Reviews Norfolk Southern Track in London, Ohio
Nov 07, 26 11:35 AM
The Surface Transportation Board environmental office issued a draft assessment on November 6, 2026, for about 0.96 miles of Norfolk Southern track in London, Ohio. Comments are due November 20. -
Metrolink Lines Will Not Run on Three Routes November 7
Nov 07, 26 10:53 AM
Metrolink will not run the Ventura County, Orange County, or Inland Empire-Orange County lines on November 7 and 8, 2026. The advisory says no substitute transportation will be provided. -
Hartford Line Adds a Weekday Round Trip on November 16
Nov 07, 26 10:48 AM
Connecticut said the Hartford Line adds a weekday New Haven-Hartford round trip on November 16, starts a morning train in Springfield, and extends weekend stops to Windsor and Windsor Locks. -
Board Issues a Policy Statement on Rail Preemption
Nov 07, 26 10:44 AM
The Surface Transportation Board placed a policy statement on public inspection for the November 9 Federal Register. It reviews existing preemption precedent and says it makes no binding determination… -
NJ Transit Restores Lines After the Newark Drawbridge Stop
Nov 07, 26 10:37 AM
NJ Transit said Morris and Essex service between Hackettstown and Dover, and Montclair-Boonton service between Hackettstown and Montclair State University, resumed after the Newark Drawbridge stop. -
EMD "SD35" Locomotives: Data Sheet, Specs, Roster
Nov 06, 26 10:35 PM
EMD SD35, 2,500 horsepower, 16-cylinder 567D3A, built June 1964 through January 1966. 360 locomotives. Specifications and the production roster by owner, serial, and order. -
EMD "SDP35" Locomotives: Data Sheet, Specs, Roster
Nov 06, 26 10:32 PM
EMD SDP35, the steam-generator SD35. 35 locomotives, July 1964 through September 1965. Seaboard Air Line 1100-1119, Atlantic Coast Line 550, Louisville and Nashville 1700-1703, Union Pacific 1400-1409… -
RJ Corman Will Be Replaced on Part of the Luzerne Lines
Nov 06, 26 01:34 PM
A November 6, 2026 notice says Wilkes-Barre Terminal Railway would acquire about 59.65 miles in Luzerne County and replace R.J. Corman as operator on part of the line. The earliest date is November 22… -
NS Names a Student Hub at the University of Georgia
Nov 06, 26 12:03 PM
Norfolk Southern said a 100,000 dollar gift named a student-organization hub in Driftmier Engineering Center. The University of Georgia marked the naming on October 26. The space is for 23 clubs. -
Union Pacific Filed Its Vena Recording Certification
Nov 06, 26 11:56 AM
Union Pacific filed a November 5, 2026 verified statement that the confidential label is off the March 17 Vena recording and that parties of record received a copy at 3:30 p.m. Eastern. -
OmniTRAX Adds Tenants at Its Blue Island Hub
Nov 06, 26 10:26 AM
OmniTRAX has signed new construction-company leases at its 90-acre Blue Island, Illinois, hub and is planning a second phase. -
Veterans and Active-Duty Members Exceed 16 Percent of Norfolk Southern
Nov 06, 26 10:14 AM
Norfolk Southern said on November 5, 2026, that more than 3,000 veterans and active-duty service members are more than 16 percent of its workforce. This year grants are $100,000 and $50,000. -
BNSF: Merger Would Put Half of U.S. Rail Shipments Under One Railroad
Nov 06, 26 10:00 AM
BNSF chief marketing officer Tom G. Williams told customers on November 3, 2026, that a Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger would put about half of U.S. rail shipments under one railroad. Nothing is… -
Amtrak Opens a Winter Fare Sale
Nov 06, 26 09:28 AM
Amtrak opened a Winter Wanderlust sale on November 5, 2026. Book by November 12 for travel from December 1, 2026, through March 14, 2027. Blackout dates apply. Coach and Acela Business only. -
CN and CPKC Report October Grain Records
Nov 06, 26 08:50 AM
CPKC reported October 2026 grain records in Canada and the United States. CN reported 3.54 million metric tonnes across Canada. The releases do not print a combined total. -
New Brunswick Transload Gets CN Rail Service
Nov 06, 26 08:49 AM
CN said on November 4, 2026, that it has started serving AD Gagnon Transload Services near Grand Falls, New Brunswick. The site is three kilometres from the Trans-Canada Highway and lists room for 106… -
Together, Freight and Passenger Rail Can Grow, Union Pacific Says
Nov 06, 26 08:47 AM
Union Pacific said on November 5, 2026, that passenger obligations would remain if it combines with Norfolk Southern. The capacity claim is a Union Pacific analysis, not a Surface Transportation Board… -
FM "C-Liner" Locomotives: Specs, Roster, Photos
Nov 05, 26 11:19 PM
Fairbanks-Morse Consolidation Line cab units, the C-Liners. 165 locomotives, Beloit and Kingston, March 1950 through February 1955. Models, specs, and production rosters. -
Atlanta, Birmingham & Coast Railroad: Map, History, Roster
Nov 05, 26 12:03 PM
Atlanta, Birmingham & Coast, from Brunswick and Waycross to Atlanta and Birmingham. Atlantic Coast Line control at the close of 1926. Merged in January 1946 as the Western Division. Steam roster of th… -
El Paso & Southwestern Railroad: Map, History, Logo
Nov 05, 26 12:00 PM
The El Paso & Southwestern, the Phelps Dodge copper railroad from Tucson to the Rock Island at Tucumcari. Southern Pacific control on October 31, 1924. -
Brightline Says Orlando Service Has Resumed
Nov 05, 26 11:55 AM
Brightline said on November 5, 2026, that trains to and from Orlando have resumed after weather suspensions in Brevard County. Later that morning the departures page still showed the Orlando segment s…
