The Remote Control Locomotives Safety Improvement Act of 2026 prohibits railroads from operating trains on main lines using remote control technology without a certified locomotive engineer physically present in the locomotive cab. The bill restricts remote control operations to rail yards only and bars waivers of these requirements for major Class I and Class II railroads or for trains operating on heavily-trafficked tracks. The Federal Railroad Administration must audit all major railroads within 180 days of enactment and smaller carriers within one year to ensure compliance. Railroads that violate the law face civil penalties of either one percent of their annual operating income or $1 million per day of violation, whichever is greater. The regulations take effect immediately upon the bill's enactment without requiring the standard federal rulemaking process.
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