Old freight cars can stay on the tracks without special permission

The US Federal Railroad Administration wants to remove a rule that requires special approval for freight cars older than 50 years. Instead, these old cars would just need to pass a standard safety inspection and brake test. This means railroads could keep older cars in service more easily, without waiting for government permission.

For decades, any freight car over 50 years old needed a special waiver from the government to stay on the tracks. This rule added delays and paperwork, even if the car was perfectly safe. This change means railroads can make their own decisions about older equipment, as long as it passes a standard safety check. It removes a bureaucratic hurdle that often kept perfectly functional cars out of service.