About AAR Circular Letters
Circular letter summaries are produced monthly by 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.
Implementation Circulars
C-14084
Implementation Circular: MSRP Section F, Sensors, Standard S-6101, Detector Calibration & Validation Requirements: ARCHIVED WILD Validation Standards
Issued: December 5, 2022
Effective: December 5, 2022
Subject section(s) to Standard S-6101 have been revised per circular C-14050. The standard (currently in effect) is attached to this circular.
C-14091
IMPLEMENTED. AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-II Locomotive Electronics and Train Control System Architecture, Standard S-9102.V1.0
Issued: December 16, 2022
Effective: December 16, 2022
Standard S-9102.V1.0, attached to the circular, was adopted in 2022. S-9102.V1.0 will be incorporated into the next issue of the MSRP Section K-II Locomotive Electronics and Train Control System Architecture.
C-14090
IMPLEMENTED. AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-II Locomotive Electronics and Train Control System Architecture, Standard S-9101.V1.2.1
Issued: December 16, 2022
Effective: December 16, 2022
S-9101.V1.2.1, attached to the circular, will be incorporated into the next issue of the MSRP Section K-II Locomotive Electronics and Train Control System Architecture.
C-14087
IMPLEMENTED. AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-VI Railway Data Management and Communications, Standards S-9503.V3.0
Issued: December 16, 2022
Effective: December 16, 2022
S-9503.V3.0, attached to the circular, will be incorporated into the next issue of the MSRP Section K-VI Railway Data Management and Communications.
C-14094
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section I, Intermodal Equipment Manual, M-998, IBC Handle Requirement
Issued: December 20, 2022
Effective: December 20, 2022
The purpose of the circular is to notify the industry of revisions to M-998 regarding the orientation, length, and diameter of the IBC handle to improve ease of operation. Revised Standard M-998, attached to the circular, is implemented and effective immediately. This modification will be incorporated in the next issue of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section I.
C-14096
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section C Part II, M-1001 DESIGN, FABRICATION, AND CONSTRUCTION OF FREIGHT CARS, and Section C Standard S-286. Freight car and draft pocket design requirements
Issued: December 29, 2022
Effective: January 1, 2023.
The purpose of this circular letter is to notify the industry of the revisions to M-1001, chapters 3, 4 and 6 (attached to the circular), regarding draft pocket design requirements. These changes are now fully implemented and effective January 1, 2023. Modifications will be incorporated in the next issues of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Sections C and C-II. Standard S-286 (also attached), though retired, will remain published for legacy purposes. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
Call for Comment
C-14085
Solicitation for Comments to Proposed Revisions for MSRP, Section M, LOCOMOTIVES AND LOCOMOTIVE INTERCHANGE EQUIPMENT: Standard S-5020 – COLOR CODE FOR IDENTIFYING FLUIDS ON LOCOMOTIVE
Issued: December 9, 2022
Effective: 30 days for comment.
A draft of S-5020 with the proposed revisions is attached to this circular.
C-14089
DRAFT S-9354.V3.0 – Edge Message Protocol is available for review and comment in support of MSRP – Section K-IV, Office Architecture and Railroad Electronics Messaging
Issued: December 16, 2022
Effective: 30 days for comment.
A draft of S-9354.V3.0 with the proposed revisions is attached to this circular.
C-14088
DRAFT S-9452E.V1.0 – Cellular and Wi-Fi Dictionary is available for review and comment, in support of MSRP – Section K-V, Electronics Environmental Requirements and Systems Management
Issued: December 16, 2022
Effective: 30 days for comment.
A draft of S-9452E.V1.0 with the proposed revisions is attached to this circular.
C-14095
Solicitation of Comments – Proposed New Standard for MSRP, Section M, LOCOMOTIVES AND LOCOMOTIVE INTERCHANGE EQUIPMENT: Specification M-915 – QUALITY ASSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR LOCOMOTIVES AND LOCOMOTIVE COMPONENTS
Issued: December 28, 2022
Effective: 30 days for comment.
A draft of M-915 with the proposed revisions is attached to this circular.
Notice of Circulars
C-14086
Informational Circular, Car Repair Facility Labor Rate – Effective January 1, 2023
Issued: December 14, 2022
Effective: January 1, 2023
The Car Repair Facility Labor Rate, effective January 1, 2023, is $187.00. This will be reflected in the January 1, 2023, release of the AAR Office Manual.
C-14092
Informational Circular, Canadian Car Repair Facility Labor Rate – Effective January 1, 2023
Issued: December 19, 2022
Effective: December 19, 2022
The Canadian Car Repair Billing Labor Rate for January 1, 2023, is $239.37 CAD. The change will be reflected in the January 1, 2023, release of the Canadian Price Master.
C-14093
January 2023 Field and Office Manuals, Summary of Comments, and Implementation Details
Issued: December 20, 2022
Effective: December 20, 2022
The circular provides a recap of those letters seeking industry comment, an indication of comments received, consideration and implementation details for the Field and Office Manuals.
C-14098
AAR 2023 Quality Assurance Auditor & Industry Conference Update
Issued: January 3, 2023
Effective: February 7-9, 2023
The finalized agenda for this year’s conference in New Orleans is attached to the circular. Event registration can be accessed at: https://ttci.configio.com/MxV RAIL Event Registration.
Upcoming Event
MARS Winter Meeting
January 17 – 19, 2023
Greenbrier is a proud sponsor and exhibitor at the MARS Winter Meeting the Westin Chicago in Lombard, IL. Featured speaker: Lorie Tekorius, Greenbrier’s CEO and President.
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.