Historic train cars no longer need safety stencils if they stay off main lines

The US railroad regulator proposes to remove a stenciling requirement for old freight cars. This means historic or tourist trains can operate without displaying specific safety information, as long as they do not connect to the national rail network.

For decades, any freight car, regardless of its use, had to be stenciled with specific safety data. This rule made it harder and more expensive to operate old or unique cars for non-commercial purposes. This change means small operators of tourist or historic railways can avoid a compliance burden, potentially making these niche operations more viable.