The Railway Safety Act of 2026 is a comprehensive bill designed to make train transportation safer, especially for trains carrying dangerous materials like flammable liquids, explosives, and toxic gases. The bill tackles several key safety issues: it requires railroads to share detailed information about hazardous cargo with emergency responders and local authorities so they can prepare for potential accidents, it sets speed limits for trains carrying dangerous materials (40 mph in populated areas for the most hazardous trains), and it requires railroads to develop emergency response plans for hazardous material spills. The bill also addresses practical safety concerns like preventing trains from blocking highway crossings for extended periods, ensuring workers have adequate time to properly inspect trains and equipment, and requiring periodic inspections of freight cars similar to those already required for locomotives. Additionally, the law establishes new penalties for safety violations, funds research into safer tank car designs, and requires the Federal Railroad Administration to improve its safety culture and workforce management. The bill also creates grant programs to help communities prepare for hazardous material emergencies and requires hazardous material transporters to register and participate in emergency response training.