# Repealing Special Approval Requirement for Freight Cars More Than 50 Years Old

**Action Urgency Score:** 30/100

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Transportation Department; Federal Railroad Administration |
| Type | Final rule |
| Action | Final rule. |
| Published | 2026-08-31 |
| Effective | 2026-09-30 |
| Significant | No |
| CFR parts | 49 CFR 215 |
| Summary | This rule amends FRA's freight car safety regulations to repeal the requirement for special approval to place or to continue a freight car in service if it is more than 50 years old or equipped with any design or type component listed in appendix A to part 215. This final rule allows railroads to continue or to place such cars in service with notice to FRA, providing certain information that has previously been required in petitions for special approval. |
| Document number | 2026-17787 |

## Why this score
- Final rule.

Source: Federal Register API (Office of the Federal Register) (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17787/repealing-special-approval-requirement-for-freight-cars-more-than-50-years-old). Last refreshed: 2026-11-04T21:40:49.974Z.
Data from the Federal Register API; the published Federal Register document is authoritative. Informational only, not legal advice.