About AAR Circular Letters
Circular letter summaries are produced monthly by Greenbrier’s Regulatory Management team, a division of Greenbrier Management Services Group.
AAR circular letters provide information of general applicability to the railroad industry, including proposed and final rules, revisions, standards and recommended practices, and calls for comments. These summaries provide the main points of circular letters issued in the prior month, as well as important implementation deadlines.
For access to the complete circular letter, please go to my.aar.org/circulars. Circular letters are a fee-based service provided by the AAR’s Transportation Technology Center Incorporated (TTCI). You may subscribe online at publications@aar.com or call 719.584.0538.
PDF version of AAR Circular Summaries available here.
Implementation Circulars
C-12853
Implementation of Revision to MSRP Section H-II, ROLLER BEARING MANUAL, S-723, Seal Wear Ring
Issued: April 03, 2017
Effective: April 03, 2017
The revision of S-723 concerns the inspection of roller bearing seal wear rings. The revised S-723 is now implemented and effective immediately. A copy of the revised document is attached to the circular. All facilities must be compliant by January 1, 2018. This modification will be incorporated in the next issue of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section H-II. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
CPC-1325
Final Action, Revision to MSRP Section C Part III, M-1002, Specifications for Tank Cars, Chapter 2
Issued: April 07, 2017
Effective: April 07, 2017
This action addresses the timeframe for requiring the transportation of TIH material in the package specified in 49 CFR 179.102-3 for cars marked “DOT” and in TP-14877, paragraph 10.5.1.2, for cars marked “TC.” Chapter 2 has been revised. A copy of the revised document is attached to the circular. The modifications will be incorporated in the next issue of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section C-III. In the interim, please insert the circular attachment into your copy of MSRP Section C-III, and be governed accordingly.
Additional detail available here.
C-12855
Implementation of Revised AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices Section N, Multi-Level Manual
Issued: April 10, 2017
Effective: April 10, 2017
The revised MSRP Section N is now available at: www.aarpublications.com
C-12857
Implementation of revision to MSRP Section F, Standard S-6020 – Data Summary – Line of Road Failure – No Cause Found (LORF-NCF).
Issued: April 11, 2017
Effective: April 11, 2017
The revisions to S-6020 are now implemented and effective immediately. The modifications will be incorporated in the next issue of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section F. In the interim, please insert the circular attachment into your copy of MSRP Section F and be governed accordingly.
C-12863
Implementation of Revised AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manuals (OTLR)
Issued: April 26, 2017
Effective: April 26, 2017
Manuals are available from http://www.aar.com/standards/OpenTop-manual.html. Carriers are asked to ensure that copies of this circular letter are distributed to all concerned shippers and railroad personnel for their attention and guidance.
C-12864
CORRECTION to the April 1, 2017 Release of the Office Manual
Issued: April 28, 2017
Effective: April 28, 2017
There is an overlap in page numbers (Appendices H and I) in the issuance of the April 1, 2017 Office Manual Revisions. Instructions and pages are attached to the circular.
Solicitation of Comments Circulars
C-12854
Solicitation of comments – Revision to MSRP Section F, Standard S-6009 – Data Summary – Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI)
Issued: April 07, 2017
Effective: 30 days for comments
The Equipment Health Monitoring Committee has proposed revisions to S-6009 regarding auto-close logic and auto-close display text. The proposed changes are in the attachment to this circular.
C-12856
Solicitation of Comments on Proposed Change to Rule B-1, General Rules, Circular No. 43-F, Rules Governing the Loading, Blocking, and Bracing of Freight in Closed Trailers and Containers for TOFC/COFC Service (DP&FC)
Issued: April 10, 2017
Effective: 30 days for comments
The proposed addition concerns tarpaulins, or other types of coverings, in open top containers. The proposed addition is included in the circular.
C-12859
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section S, CASTING DETAILS, Specifications M-201, M-210, and M-211, regarding MSRP compliance (supplemental) checklists
Issued: April 21, 2017
Effective: 30 days for comments
The AAR Coupling System and Truck Castings Committee updated the checklists related to M-201, M-210, and M-211. Drafts of each specification are attached to the circular.
C-12860
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section S-II, TRUCK DETAILS AND CASTING CODES, Standard S-392, Truck – Design Drawings, update to Code Sheets and Drawings
Issued: April 21, 2017
Effective: 30 days for comments
The proposed revisions concerns updated code sheets (EC3034 and EC-3038), an updated list of figures (section 8) and the addition of three corresponding figures. The changes are included in attachments to the circular.
C-12861
Solicitation of Comments on Revisions to MSRP Section C, Standard S-2044, SAFETY APPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR FREIGHT CARS
Issued: April 26, 2017
Effective: 30 days for comments
AAR Standard S-2044, Safety Appliance Requirements for Freight Cars, replaces the safety appliance regulations of the Federal Railroad Administration and certain AAR standards for cars built new after specified dates. Additional appendices have been developed and the base standard has been modified to incorporate references to those appendices. The Safety Appliance Task Force requests that members to pay particular attention to revisions to paragraph 5.13 of the base standard. All details of revisions, modifications, additions and effective dates are attached to the circular.
C-12862
Solicitation of comments to Figure 34-A Coils of Rod or Bar – Gondolas. – Section 2 AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: April 26, 2017
Effective: 30 days for comments
The proposed change is to the requirements of Note #3, details are attached to the circular. Carriers are asked to ensure that copies of this circular letter are distributed to all concerned shippers and railroad personnel for their attention and guidance.
Notice Circulars
C-12852
New class registrations are open for 2017 AAR M-1003 Quality Assurance training courses: Root Cause Analysis Class, Basic Auditor Training Class, and the Advanced Auditor Training Class.
Issued: April 03, 2017
Effective: N/A
See circular for a summary of the courses, dates and locations.
C-12858
Save the Date for the 2018 AAR Quality Assurance Auditor and Industry Conference
Issued: April 14, 2017
Effective: N/A
The 30th Annual AAR Quality Assurance Auditor and Industry Conference will be held the week of January 22, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Greenbrier’s Regulatory Services Group
Peace of mind for your business.
The Regulatory Management Group, led by James Rader, provides regulatory, engineering, process consulting and advocacy support to the railcar repair industry and the petrochemical rail shipper community.
- ASNT Level III Subscription Services
- DOT Compliance Assessments (Corporate and Plant)
- DOT Hazardous Materials Training (Corporate and Plant)
- Expert Witness Services in Rail-Related Litigation
- Federal Government Claims Mitigation (e.g. FRA and PHMSA)
- Nondestructive Testing Programs
- Quality Assurance Program Development
- Regulatory Counsel and Policy Advocacy
- Railcar Repair Management (Design Review, Drawings, Engineering and AAR Approval Administration)
- Tank Car Reliability and Maintenance Programs (49 CFR Subpart F of Part 180)
- Tank Car Maintenance Data Collection and Reliability Performance Analysis
- Welding Program Development
For inquiries about these summaries or any of our services, please reach out to: regulatoryservices@gbrx.com
About Greenbrier Management Services (GMS)
Greenbrier Management Services (GMS) is North America’s most comprehensive railcar management solutions provider. GMS manages nearly 400,000 railcars and has invested over 20 years in developing technology, processes, and people to provide the best railcar management products and services in the industry. GMS is powered by proprietary software and the best subject matter experts in the railcar business.
COMPREHENSIVE. INTEGRATED. VALUE.
Combined, these two vitally important capabilities are able to deliver world-class solutions to every type of customer, from Class I railroads, lessors and industrial shippers to financial investors. GMS brings broad expertise to cover nearly any railcar management need that customers may have and its integrated solutions and reporting can be customized for any customer function or management need.