Columbia Short Line autonomous rail testing

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded $16.2 million in federal grants through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements program to modernize the Columbia Short Line (COLT) Rail in Missouri. This funding is part of a larger $20.8 million modernization effort, with additional contributions from the City of Columbia and private partners.

The project aims to conduct the first documented demonstration of autonomous railcar operations on a regulated short-line railroad in the United States. Saint Louis-based Intramotev has been selected as the technology partner to deploy two TugVolt autonomous railcars on the 21.4-mile segment between Columbia and Centralia.

Testing will occur in phases, beginning with remote-controlled locomotive maneuvers and switching in terminal yards before progressing to full-scale autonomous freight service across the mainline and public crossings. Infrastructure upgrades include installing 36,000 composite ties, replacing switches, reinforcing track with heavier rails, and establishing two Level 2 charging stations. The initiative also intends to create training curricula for remote operators and maintenance technicians to establish a safety template for the nation’s 600-plus short-line railroads.