$16.2M grant fuels first autonomous railcars on US short line
Missouri short line to deploy two autonomous freight railcars under FRA-approved test programme
The U.S. Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has allocated $16.2 million to the City of Columbia, Missouri, to advance autonomous railcar technology on a local short line. The funding, part of the FRA’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program, will support the deployment of two self-operating freight railcars on the Columbia Terminal Railroad (COLT).
The initiative will introduce Intramotev’s TugVolt autonomous railcar technology on COLT’s 21.4-mile line connecting Centralia and Columbia. Operations will roll out in phases under an FRA-approved test program. The first stage will focus on remote switching at COLT’s Columbia terminal, later expanding to full autonomous freight service across the mainline, including public crossings. The grant will also fund necessary track and infrastructure upgrades.
Project scope and timeline: autonomous railcars
Both autonomous units will be manufactured at Intramotev’s facility in St. Louis. COLT, a municipally owned short line operated by Columbia City Utilities, has served as the city’s connection to the national rail network for nearly four decades. The project aims to demonstrate how autonomous railcars can enhance efficiency and reduce costs for short-line operators.
Tim Luchini, Intramotev’s chief executive, stated the technology could help short lines “serve more customers, more often, at lower cost.” He added that the program would showcase the potential of autonomous railcars on an active mainline.
Broader implications for U.S. rail
Erin Keys, Columbia’s utilities director, emphasized the project’s significance for local businesses and jobs. “This federal investment lets us modernize the railroad, strengthen service for our customers, and position Columbia as a leader in rail innovation,” she said. The initiative is expected to generate a safety record that could serve as a model for over 600 short-line railroads nationwide.
While no specific deployment date has been announced, the project marks a key step in modernizing rail infrastructure. Intramotev has recently expanded its autonomous rail efforts, including a partnership with Austria’s OBB Rail Cargo Group and a technology assessment with the U.S. Army Reserve earlier this year.
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