Positive Train Control

The FRA’s New Advisory Is a Reminder: PTC Backstops the Rules, It Doesn’t Replace Them

September 11, 2026 The Turntable

Twenty years after Railfanning.org first wrote about federal investment in Positive Train Control, the Federal Railroad Administration is reminding the industry that some of the oldest — and less technology-dependent — protections still matter.

FRA Proposes Positive Train Control Amendment

October 25, 2024 Railfanning.org News Wire

The Federal Railroad Administration published a notice of proposed rulemaking proposing to amend certain positive train control systems regulations. The feds said the proposed rule seeks to improve the efficiency and safety of railroad operations by standardizing regulations concerning railroad operations when PTC systems are not enabled. This can occur due to a PTC outage or when PTC systems are temporarily disabled to facilitate maintenance, repairs or upgrades. Under the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, Congress mandated the implementation of PTC systems on Class I railroad main lines that carry high levels of freight traffic and certain hazardous materials,

FRA: PTC Implementation or Demonstration Hits 99.6 Percent, NJ Transit Remains At Risk

November 20, 2020 Railfanning.org News Wire

As of Sept. 30, 2020, positive train control (PTC) is in operation or revenue service demonstration (RSD) on 99.6 percent of the 57,537 route miles subject to the federal mandate, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) said.

Amtrak Reaches Settlement with Survivor of Washington Derailment

October 16, 2020 The Center Square

A survivor of a deadly Amtrak train derailment near DuPont, Washington that killed three people and injured dozens has reached a settlement, lawyers representing her announced late Wednesday.

Amtrak Completes PTC Implementation on Owned and Controlled Tracks

August 16, 2020 Railfanning.org News Wire

Amtrak said it has completed Positive Train Control (PTC) implementation on all its owned or controlled tracks.

A N.J. Transit train departs from Montvale, N.J. on Feb. 10, 2016.

FRA: New Jersey Transit, New Mexico Rail Runner Express at Risk of Missing PTC Deadline

August 14, 2020 Railfanning.org News Wire

Nearly all railroads subject to the positive train control (PTC) mandate are operating their systems in revenue service or in advanced field testing. However, two railroads are at risk of not fully implementing PTC on all required main lines by Dec. 31: New Jersey Transit and New Mexico Rail Runner Express.

FRA: Majority of Railroads Operating or Testing PTC Systems

December 3, 2019 Railfanning.org News Wire

The majority of the 42 railroads subject to the statutory implementation requirement are operating PTC systems in revenue service or in advanced field testing, known as revenue service demonstration (RSD), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) said.