Notice

Quarterly Rail Cost Adjustment Factor

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This is a notice published in the Federal Register by Surface Transportation Board. Notices communicate information, guidance, or policy interpretations but may not create new binding obligations.

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Why it matters: This notice communicates agency policy or guidance regarding applicable regulations.

Document Details

Document Number	2025-23175
Type	Notice
Published	Dec 18, 2025
Effective Date	-
RIN	-
Docket ID	Docket No. EP 290 (Sub-No. 5) (2026-1)
Text Fetched	Yes

Agencies & CFR References

Agency Hierarchy:

Surface Transportation Board

CFR References:

None

Linked CFR Parts

Part	Name	Agency
No linked CFR parts

Paired Documents

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▼ Full Document Text (248 words · ~2 min read)

Text Preserved

<NOTICE>
 
 SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD 
 <DEPDOC>[Docket No. EP 290 (Sub-No. 5) (2026-1)]</DEPDOC>
 <SUBJECT>Quarterly Rail Cost Adjustment Factor</SUBJECT>
 
 <HD SOURCE="HED">AGENCY:</HD>
 Surface Transportation Board. 
 
 
 <HD SOURCE="HED">ACTION:</HD>
 Approval of rail cost adjustment factor. 
 
 <SUM>
 <HD SOURCE="HED">SUMMARY:</HD>
 The Surface Transportation Board has adopted the first quarter 2026 Rail Cost Adjustment Factor and cost index filed by the Association of American Railroads. 
 </SUM>
 <DATES>
 <HD SOURCE="HED">DATES:</HD>
 
 <E T="03">Applicability Date:</E>
 January 1, 2026.
 
 </DATES>
 <FURINF>
 <HD SOURCE="HED">FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:</HD>
 Pedro Ramirez, (202) 915-0862. If you require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please call (202) 245-0245. 
 </FURINF>
 
 <SUPLINF>
 <HD SOURCE="HED">SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:</HD>
 
 The rail cost adjustment factor (RCAF) is an index formulated to represent changes in railroad costs incurred by the nation's largest railroads over a specified period of time. The Surface Transportation Board (Board) is required by law to publish the RCAF on at least a quarterly basis. Each quarter, the Association of 
 
 American Railroads computes three types of RCAF figures and submits those figures to the Board for approval. The Board has reviewed the submission and adopts the RCAF figures for the first quarter of 2026. The first quarter 2026 RCAF (Unadjusted) is 1.015. The first quarter 2026 RCAF (Adjusted) is 0.389. The first quarter 2026 RCAF-5 is 0.369. Additional information is contained in the Board's decision, which is available at 
 <E T="03">www.stb.gov.</E>
 
 <SIG>
 By the Board, Board Members Fuchs, Hedlund, and Schultz. 
 <DATED>Decided: December 12, 2025.</DATED>
 <NAME>Kenyatta Clay,</NAME>
 Clearance Clerk. 
 </SIG>
 </SUPLINF>
 <FRDOC>[FR Doc. 2025-23175 Filed 12-17-25; 8:45 am]</FRDOC>
 </NOTICE>
						

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