(a) After June 30, 1980, a railroad may not place or continue in service a freight car that has not received an initial periodic inspection in accordance with 49 CFR 215.25, as in effect on October 6, 1976 (41 FR 44044), unless—

(1) The car is a high utilization car built or reconditioned after December 31, 1977; or

(2) The car is a non-high utilization car built or reconditioned after December 31, 1971.

(b) A freight car that has received an initial periodic inspection under paragraph (a) of this section shall be stenciled to so indicate in accordance with 49 CFR 215.11 and appendix C of this part, as in effect on October 6, 1976 (41 FR 44044). This stenciling need not be retained on the car after June 30, 1981.

(c) As used in this section, “high utilization car” means a car—

(1) Specifically equipped to carry trucks, automobiles, containers, trailers, or removable trailer bodies for the transportation of freight; or

(2) Assigned to a train that operates in a continuous round trip cycle between the same two points.