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HR 3179 100th Congress House

A bill to require automatic train control capabilities on the main line of the Northeast Corridor, and for other purposes.

Introduced: August 6, 1987 See on congress.gov
Transportation and Public Works Administrative procedureDepartment of TransportationFines (Penalties)Locomotives
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Public safetyRadioRailroad freight operationsRailroad passenger trafficRailroad safetyRailroads
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This bill died when the 100th Congress ended
It never became law before the 100th Congress (1987–1988) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 9, 1987
Referred to Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Hazardous Materials.
Aug 6, 1987
Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Aug 6, 1987
Introduced in House
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 Latest action September 9, 1987

Referred to Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Hazardous Materials.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Amends the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate regulations requiring that: (1) all passenger and freight trains operating after December 15, 1989, on the main line of the Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C., and Boston, Massachusetts, be equipped with automatic stopping systems; and (2) all locomotives in operation be equipped with an operable radio capable of train-to-train and train-to-fixed station communication.

Increases from $2,500 to $25,000 the maximum civil penalty for violations of Federal railroad safety rules.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) undertake a feasibility study regarding automatic train control systems on each rail corridor on which passengers are carried; and (2) report study results to the Congress within one year after the date of enactment of this Act.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 2
D
Mfume, Kweisi
Maryland · Sep 16, 1987
 D
Hoyer, Steny H.
Maryland · Aug 6, 1987
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3179: A bill to require automatic train control capabilities on the main line of the Northeast Corridor, and for other purposes.. 100th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-3179/
MLA
"H.R. 3179: A bill to require automatic train control capabilities on the main line of the Northeast Corridor, and for other purposes.." 100th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-3179/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3179, 100th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-3179/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3179: A bill to require automatic train control capabilities on the main line of the Northeast Corridor, and for other purposes.](https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-3179/)
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