Expanding Certain Locomotive Wheel Set Diameter Variations

Topic: Safety

Agency:  Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

Action: Final Rule

Information: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/pdf/2026-17788.pdf

Title: Expanding Certain Locomotive Wheel Set Diameter Variations

Published Date: August 31, 2026

Dates: This rule is effective September 30, 2026

Summary: This rule amends FRA’s locomotive safety regulations to expand the maximum permitted variation in diameter for locomotive wheel sets using alternating current technology, in response to a Class I railroad’s May 2019 petition for rulemaking and innovations in traction motor control.

Staff Advisor: Taria Barron, General Counsel, tbarron@apta.com