Federal regulations had not previously specified a minimum crew size, but the nation’s largest freight railroads typically have two workers on each train, an engineer and a conductor.
The Federal Railroad Administration proposed requiring two-person crews in 2022, arguing that doing so would improve safety.
The issue received further attention after a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed last year in East Palestine, Ohio, putting the issue of railroad safety in the spotlight.
A bipartisan rail safety bill introduced in Congress in response to the derailment included a requirement for two-person crews, though the legislation has stalled.
The Norfolk Southern train, which investigators believe derailed because of an overheated wheel bearing, had three crew members on board: an engineer, a conductor and a conductor trainee.
Organizations:
Biden, Federal Railroad Administration, Norfolk, Norfolk Southern
Locations:
Norfolk Southern, East Palestine , Ohio