Spark Logo Horizontal_edited.png
  • Home

  • Solutions

    • Rail Tasker
    • Drug & Alcohol Testing
    • Course Subscriptions & Recordkeeping
    • Consulting & Custom Design
  • About

    • ​Our Commitments
    • For Media
    • News and Press
  • Industry Insights

  • Contact

    • Support
  • More

    Use tab to navigate through the menu items.
    Schedule an Appointment
    10 Steps to Collection Site Security and Integrity – What Are You Doing to Assist Your Collector?
    Holly Rainwater
    • May 11
    • 3 min

    10 Steps to Collection Site Security and Integrity – What Are You Doing to Assist Your Collector?

    The Department of Transportation (DOT) has done a good job providing collection agents with information on maintaining the integrity of a...
    Join Us for an Upcoming Webinar
    Katie Inouye
    • Apr 29
    • 1 min

    Join Us for an Upcoming Webinar

    Join us for one of our upcoming webinars! Register below. Drug & Alcohol Testing: Collection Site Integrity As a DOT employer, how good...
    Updating your 243 Plan Just Got Easier
    Katie Inouye
    • Apr 21
    • 1 min

    Updating your 243 Plan Just Got Easier

    It's been almost a year since 49 CFR Part 243 has gone into effect for contractors and short line railroads.
    Effective March 4th: Mechanical Employees Included in Part 219
    Katie Inouye
    • Feb 19
    • 6 min

    Effective March 4th: Mechanical Employees Included in Part 219

    On February 2, 2022, FRA published a Final Rule updating 49 CFR Part 219 to include Mechanical Employees. This post provides a brief update
    What Records Must be Maintained for 243?
    Katie Inouye
    • Oct 6, 2021
    • 3 min

    What Records Must be Maintained for 243?

    There are a handful of records you should be maintained to ensure you can demonstrate your compliance with 49 CFR Part 243.
    243 Oversight and 217 Operational Tests
    Katie Inouye
    • Sep 28, 2021
    • 4 min

    243 Oversight and 217 Operational Tests

    While railroads can use their operational testing program for the required periodic oversight in 243, there are some differences you should
    243 is here and I just hired someone, now what?
    Katie Inouye
    • Aug 8, 2021
    • 2 min

    243 is here and I just hired someone, now what?

    Your 243 submission is done. But now you are hiring, are you ready to implement your plan?
    Webinar: 243 Question & Answer
    Katie Inouye
    • Apr 5, 2021
    • 1 min

    Webinar: 243 Question & Answer

    The May 1st implementation deadline for 49 CFR Part 243 is almost here! Join us to talk through any remaining questions you may have on...
    How to Submit Your 243 Programs
    Katie Inouye
    • Apr 2, 2021
    • 2 min

    How to Submit Your 243 Programs

    Are you almost ready to submit your 243 training programs but having questions about what to submit or not to submit or how to use the FRA's
    Grandfathering-in Existing Employees Under 49 CFR Part 243
    Katie Inouye
    • Mar 30, 2021
    • 2 min

    Grandfathering-in Existing Employees Under 49 CFR Part 243

    Do you need to re-train your existing employees under 49 CFR Part 243? The answer is probably not. However, I have talked to several...
    Can you use your 217 program for 243? Yes, BUT (and it is a big BUT)...
    Katie Inouye
    • Feb 28, 2021
    • 2 min

    Can you use your 217 program for 243? Yes, BUT (and it is a big BUT)...

    I have seen growing confusion regarding the difference between the OJT and the current industry practice of conducting efficiency (or operat
    Flipping the Perspective of 49 CFR Part 243
    Katie Inouye
    • Feb 10, 2021
    • 3 min

    Flipping the Perspective of 49 CFR Part 243

    If you are feeling stuck trying to get started with 49 CFR Part 243, you are not alone. However, I have found that simply looking at the req
    Free 243 Webinar w/FRA: Initial Training Programs & Oversight
    Katie Inouye
    • Oct 16, 2019
    • 1 min

    Free 243 Webinar w/FRA: Initial Training Programs & Oversight

    Get your questions on 243 answered with Rob Castiglione from FRA and walk away with a process for the initial training program requirements.
    Webinar Series: 
A Practical Overview of 243
    Katie Inouye
    • Aug 5, 2019
    • 1 min

    Webinar Series: A Practical Overview of 243

    Go beyond FRA's compliance guide and gain practical insights to help you prepare for 243 with this free webinar series.
    FRA has Changed What You Will Submit for 49 Part 243
    Katie Inouye
    • Jun 8, 2019
    • 1 min

    FRA has Changed What You Will Submit for 49 Part 243

    If you currently gathering paperwork for your Part 243 submission, you'll want to take a look at FRA's new compliance guide for Part 243.
    FRA Proposes to Update Engineer Certification
    Katie Inouye
    • May 18, 2019
    • 1 min

    FRA Proposes to Update Engineer Certification

    While not unexpected for many of us, FRA proposed to revise the regulation that governs the certification of locomotive engineers.
    3 Reasons for Small Businesses to Invest in a Learning Management System
    Katie Inouye
    • Apr 17, 2019
    • 2 min

    3 Reasons for Small Businesses to Invest in a Learning Management System

    Many small companies may not have even heard of a learning management system (LMS). However, for companies, such as short line railroads,...

    © 2016-2022 Spark Training Solutions

    info@sparkts.net

    Request a Demo
    • LinkedIn - White Circle