Breaking

Columbia, Missouri Short Line Gets $16.2M to Test Autonomous Freight Cars

The Federal Railroad Administration awarded $16.2 million to the City of Columbia for autonomous railcar deployment on the Columbia Terminal Railroad, a 21.4-mile municipally owned short line. Technology partner Intramotev will install two TugVolt autonomous units on COLT's route between Centralia and Columbia. Operations will proceed through an FRA-approved test program. Initial phases include remote switching at Columbia's terminal, then advance to full autonomous freight service across the mainline, including public crossings. The grant also funds track and infrastructure improvements. COLT, operated by Columbia City Utilities, has connected the region to the national rail network for nearly 40 years. The project aims to establish a safety template for more than 600 U.S. short-line railroads considering autonomous adoption. Intramotev will manufacture both TugVolt units at its facility.