Freight train emoji push aims to update rail symbols

A freight train emoji is the subject of a GoRail petition asking the Unicode Consortium to add a symbol representing modern freight rail.

Freight train emoji campaign

GoRail’s Rail Champions campaign is collecting signatures for a petition asking the Unicode Consortium to add an emoji representing a modern freight train⁠.

Organized by GoRail⁠, a rail education and advocacy group, the campaign says the train emoji now available on digital devices shows a steam locomotive, while modern freight rail is not represented in the emoji set.

“Our keyboards are stuck in the 1800s,” petition organizers said in their appeal. “The current train emoji depicts a steam locomotive – a symbol of rail’s early history and heritage. While iconic, it does not represent the modern freight trains that move goods, support industries and connect communities every day.”

Unicode Consortium review process

The Unicode Standard determines which emojis can be used on digital devices and platforms worldwide. The Unicode Consortium⁠, a nonprofit organization, reviews and approves new emoji proposals and works to ensure they can be used across platforms.

Individuals and organizations can submit emoji proposals. Each proposal must document several factors, including visual distinction, the ability to be used with other emojis to communicate other concepts, and the likelihood of high usage.

The full proposal⁠ is available for review.