Qualification and Certification of Locomotive Engineers

FRA is issuing this notice of interpretation to inform interested parties of its application and enforcement of the requirements for each railroad responsible for controlling joint operations territory to maintain a list of person(s) certified as a qualified locomotive engineer for the purposes of the joint operations. FRA has discovered that a number of controlling railroads are not maintaining accurate lists primarily because foreign railroads are not providing the controlling railroads with accurate information and the controlling railroads are not demanding it. If an accurate list is not maintained, a controlling railroad has little chance of preventing an uncertified or unqualified person from operating a locomotive or train in the joint operations territory. This document is intended to inform interested parties of what information is required to be maintained on the required list and provides information as to how often the listings should be updated.