A U.S. appeals court has upheld a Federal Railroad Administration rule requiring many trains to operate with at least two crew members, rejecting a challenge from six railroads and two industry groups. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ruled 2-1 against the challenge, with Judge Robin Rosenbaum writing that "none of the Railroads' arguments have merit." The carriers and trade groups, including Union Pacific, Berkshire Hathaway-owned BNSF, the Association of American Railroads and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, had argued the Biden-era rule violated the Administrative Procedure Act. The 2024 final rule sets classifications to determine when a two-person crew is required, with exceptions for some smaller railroads and certain trains not carrying hazardous materials. The measure gained momentum after the 2023 East Palestine, Ohio, derailment that prompted the evacuation of about 2,000 residents amid fears of toxic chemical leaks. Circuit Judge Elizabeth Branch dissented, saying the FRA failed to consider some railroad costs in its cost-benefit analysis and that the omission was a serious flaw.