The older DOT-111 tank design was criticized for decades and the design was changed (made stronger) Oct 2011. There was no plan until recently to force phase out of the existing railcars already built under the old design.
In November 2013, the Association of American Railroads again urged PHMSA increase federal tank car safety by requiring all tank cars used to transport flammable liquids be built to a higher standard, and all existing cars to be retrofitted to this higher standard or phased out of flammable service.
https://www.aar.org/safety/Documents/Railroad%20Tank%20Cars.pdf
Most of the oil tanker railcars are not owned by the railroads. They are owned by oil/refinery companies who hire the railroads to move the cars.
I appreciate, and thank you for your response thackney.
My point was the article made it appear by the wording the Government owned the tank cars. I was parsing words. The government does not, and too often those within government get what they want by running roughshod over free enterprise ultimately running up costs we all pay for.
It would seem to me the “The older DOT-111 tank design” wording of the article creates the illusion the DOT designed the tank cars, but I seriously doubt they did. Only approved the design for service for interstate use.
Again it’s parsing words, but words mean things, and misconceptions abound due manipulated, or unfortunate word usage. The government doesn’t own the tank cars, nor did they design them. The article leads us to believe in, and accept ours as an all powerful centralized government.