Rail Cars and details of the late 1970's

[Charlie B]

Here is a short TOFC flat car still being used in August 1980. If you look closely you can see a yellow dot over the truck on the right side. 
I remember them because they were applied because of some bad wheels. I found this information to further explain them:

U-1  INSPECTION STENCILS

These stencils were applied to designate freight cars which had 33" wheels
manufactured by the Southern Wheel Company.  These wheels were suspected of
failing in service and causing several serious derailments.
This FRA regulation began March 31, 1978 with the inspection of all 70 ton
or less cars which had 33" wheels.

Freight cars with this type wheels were stenciled   null  with a 6"
white dot in a 12" black square.

Cars identified with the white dots could not be used in a train carrying
hazardous materials.  Beginning December 31, 1978 cars that had the white
dots could not be used in any train.  The wheels had to be removed and
replaced with wheels of an approved type.


Freight cars that had approved wheels were stenciled  null with a 6"
yellow dot in a 12" black square.

These cars could be used in any service.
New cars built up to Dec 31, 1978 had the yellow dots applied at the factory. 
There was no date given for removal of these stencils so they remained for
several years.

Charlie