Items Less Than $5.0M (Float/Rail)

Supporting Float and Rail programs aims to procure new railroad locomotives and railway cars to replace aging assets for the Army. The specific objectives include obtaining railway equipment such as locomotives, rolling stock, railway passenger cars, and track maintenance equipment to support various Army installations in peacetime, training, and mobilization missions. This procurement is essential as the existing equipment has exceeded its economic useful life, becoming logistically unsupportable and costly to maintain. Additionally, the program focuses on replacing aging assets that have become either unsafe or not cleared for use under the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), ensuring the safety and efficiency of Army rail operations.

The budget line item also supports the systematic replacement of an aging fleet with industry-proven, state-of-the-art technology such as commercial off-the-shelf GENSET switcher locomotives. These locomotives are part of the Army Rail Modernization Program and are designed to meet current EPA air quality restrictions and future fuel economy mandates. Furthermore, the procurement of railway cars aims to address shortages at various Army installations and replace aging assets that have exceeded their economic useful life. Overall, this budget line item plays a crucial role in modernizing Army rail capabilities and ensuring the safe and efficient transportation of warfighter equipment from within installations to commercial railroads.