Trains Can Now Drip Oil Freely—If Indicator Says It's Operative!
Published Date: 8/31/2026
Rule
Summary
This rule amends freight car draft arrangement and end-of-car cushioning unit (EOCC) regulations to make permanent relief currently provided by waiver. The amendments will allow a freight car to remain in service if the EOCC is operative and equipped with a unit condition indicator (UCI) that indicates a non-discharged EOCC. This change will permit such EOCCs to remain in service despite the presence of clearly formed oil droplets on the unit. The amendments preserve the requirement to repair or replace an EOCC with clearly formed oil droplets if the unit does not have a UCI.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
UCI lets oil-weeping EOCCs stay
Railroads and freight car owners may keep a freight car in service if its end-of-car cushioning unit (EOCC) is working and has a unit condition indicator (UCI) that shows the unit is not discharged, even if there are clearly formed oil droplets on the unit. The rule makes that relief permanent rather than available only by waiver.
Repair required if no UCI and leaking
If a cushioning unit has clearly formed oil droplets and it is NOT equipped with a unit condition indicator (UCI), the car may not remain in service and the EOCC must be repaired or replaced. The rule preserves this repair-or-replace requirement for units without UCIs.
Waiver relief made permanent
The final rule codifies relief previously available by waiver (in place since 2013), so railroads and industry groups no longer must submit periodic waiver petitions every five years to rely on UCIs. This reduces recurring administrative time and costs for railroads, car owners, and the Government.
Broken or inoperative EOCCs still banned
Even if a UCI indicates adequate internal pressure, a freight car with a broken or inoperative EOCC (for example, broken lugs or a striker casting with fresh batter marks) may not be placed or continued in service. The rule preserves the prohibition on cars with broken or inoperative cushioning devices.
Same standards apply to COCCs
The rule applies the same defective cushioning-device standards to both end-of-car cushioning units (EOCCs) and center-of-car cushioning units (COCCs). Section 215.129 was revised so cars with cushioning devices that are broken, inoperative, leaking droplets when not equipped with a UCI, or with a UCI indicating a discharged unit may not remain in service.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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