The Locomotive Inspection Act requires railroads to inspect, repair, and maintain locomotives and event recorders so that they are safe, free from defects, and can be placed in service without peril to life. Crashworthy locomotive event recorders provide FRA with verifiable factual information about how trains are maintained and operated, and will be used by FRA and State inspectors for Part 229 rule enforcement. This collection of information is mandatory, and affects Class I, Class II, Class III, and passenger and commuter railroads operating on the general system of transportation in the United States. The required information is collected daily, quarterly, annually, and on occasion. Information collected includes both reporting and record keeping information, data about locomotives not complying with the requirements of this Part, data about remote control locomotives, accident reports, locomotive daily inspection and repair records, written reports about Multiple Unit (MU) locomotives, and readout information from locomotive event recorders. FRA uses the information collected to monitor and enforce the requirements of this Part, particularly to monitor the daily operations of trains and ensure that locomotives placed in service are safe to operate and undergo the required daily, periodic, and annual inspections. The information collected is also used by railroads and train crews to monitor train handling and improve safety on an ongoing basis.
This is a reinstatement with change of a previously approved collection of information. The current OMB inventory for this information collection shows a total burden of 232,525 hours and 8,829,303 responses, while the requesting inventory estimates a total burden of 245,200 hours and 8,913,163 responses. Overall, the burden for this submission has increased by 12,675 hours and increased by 83,860 responses.
While the edits to FRA F 6180.49A reduced the average time per response from 15 minutes to 13.5 minutes, the overall burden increased by 12,675 hours. This is due to the aging fleet, a reduction of repair shops and optimization of their services. Furthermore, an increase in remote control locomotives, passenger and commuter services also significantly increased the annual number of periodic inspections being performed. For example, the increase in the number of non-passenger and passenger locomotives, which directly increases the number of periodic inspections, accounts for 85% of the annual burden hour increase. Similarly, the increased use of event recorders and the required inspections increased the annual burden by approximately 8%.
Finally, FRA determined that the burden reported under 229.317(b) is a recordkeeping requirement that is already accounted for under 229.317(h). The recordkeeping requirement for refresher training is now also included under (h).
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Form FRA F 6180.49A Locomotive Inspection and Repair Record
May 16, 2025 FR Notice (30-Day).pdf
2130-0004_RR Locomotive Safety Standards SJ (05-19-2025).docx
49 CFR 229.doc
Railroad Locomotive Safety Standards and Event Recorders