WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration will furlough 23% of its staff as a result of the partial government shutdown that began today. The agency’s Office of Railroad Safety — which is responsible for investigating rail accidents as well as inspecting railroad equipment and facilities to ensure compliance with federal regulations — will continue working through the shutdown, the Department of Transportation said yesterday. Staffers who work in the FRA’s Office of Railroad Development and administer various financial assistance programs also will remain on the job. Of the 1,023 employees on the FRA payroll before the shutdown, 239 will be furloughed, DOT said. An agency spokeswoman told Trains yesterday that a statement likely would be posted on the STB website in the event of a shutdown.