Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Seeks Extension of "Engineer for an Hour" Program Waiver

Strategic Insights -

The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is requesting an extension of its waiver to operate a train with non-certified engineers under controlled conditions, citing the program's integral role in its operations and ensuring safety through limited speeds and supervised conditions. The museum's request, submitted on June 15, 2025, has been assigned Docket Number FRA-2009-0023, and interested parties can provide written views or comments by September 29, 2025. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has made the petition and related documents available for public review online.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is seeking to prolong its "engineer for an hour" program, which allows non-certified engineers to operate a train under controlled conditions.
  • The program is held on tracks belonging to the Chesapeake & Indiana Railroad and operates at limited speeds, staying within yard or restricted speed limits.
  • The museum believes the program ensures safety and is integral to its operations, relying on supervised conditions to mitigate risks.
  • The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has made the petition and related documents available for public review online.
  • Interested parties can provide written comments, views, or data by September 29, 2025, and all submissions will be posted without change on the regulations website.
  • The FRA will consider all comments before taking final action.

Statistics:

  • The program operates on tracks owned by the Chesapeake & Indiana Railroad.
  • The program operates at limited speeds, staying within yard or restricted speed limits.
  • The waiver is currently set to expire, necessitating an extension request from the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum.
  • The museum's request was submitted on June 15, 2025, with a deadline for comments from interested parties by September 29, 2025.

Sources:

  • "Notice of Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance" (Federal Register, August 28, 2025)
  • Targeted News Service, August 28, 2025 ("Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Seeks to Prolong 'Engineer for an Hour' Program")