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-14292
Implementation of Revision to MSRP Section N, Specification M-950A, Universal Wide-Body Bi-Level Fully-Enclosed Auto Rack Car
Issued: December 20, 2023
Effective: December 20, 2023
Revisions to Specification M-950A, Section 4.4 and 4.4.1 – Decks, have been implemented. The update pertains to removing tire guides from “A” deck of multi-level equipment. Changes to MSRP Section N, Specification M-992 are now implemented and effective immediately and will be incorporated in the next issue of MSRP Section N. In the interim, insert the circular attachment into your copy of MSRP Section N and be governed accordingly.
C-14291
Implementation of Revision to MSRP Section N, Specification M-950, Universal Wide-Body Tri-Level Fully-Enclosed Auto Rack Car (Low Deck)
Issued: December 20, 2023
Effective: December 20, 2023
Revisions to Specification M-950, Section 4.5, 4.5.1 – Decks and Section 8.2 Tie-Down System, have been implemented. The update pertains to removing tire guides from “A” deck of multi-level equipment. Changes to MSRP Section N, Specification M-992 are now implemented and effective immediately and will be incorporated in the next issue of MSRP Section N. In the interim, insert the circular attachment into your copy of MSRP Section N and be governed accordingly.
C-14290
Implementation of Revision to MSRP Section N, Specification M-992, Designated Satellite Shop Repair for Multi-Level Auto Rack Cars
Issued: December 20, 2023
Effective: December 20, 2023
Revisions to Specification M-992, Section 2.1.3 – Rack Inspection and Repair, have been implemented. The update pertains to removing tire guides from “A” deck of multi-level equipment. Changes to MSRP Section N, Specification M-992 are now implemented and effective immediately and will be incorporated in the next issue of MSRP Section N. In the interim, insert the circular attachment into your copy of MSRP Section N and be governed accordingly.
C-14289
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section N, Specification M-970, Condition-Based Certification of Multi-Level Auto Rack Cars
Issued: December 20, 2023
Effective: December 20, 2023
Revisions to Specification M-970, Section 2.2.3, have been implemented. The update pertains to removing tire guides from “A” deck of multi-level equipment. Changes to MSRP Section N, Specification M-992 are now implemented and effective immediately and will be incorporated in the next issue of MSRP Section N. In the interim, insert the circular attachment into your copy of MSRP Section N and be governed accordingly.
Call for Comment
C-14286
DRAFT S-9355 Appendix A V1.0 Class C Messaging Class C Multicast Message Groups, In support of AAR’s MSRP – Section K-IV, Office Architecture and Railroad Electronics Messaging
Issued: December 15, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The document is external content to the requirements in AAR Standard S-9355, “Class C Messaging”. It identifies the Class C multicast message groups. The update frequency of the AAR document and the content of the appendix is not the same; therefore, the information in the appendix is stored separately from the document. Nevertheless, this information shall be considered part of Standard S-9355.
SharePoint access and comment form can be found at: www.railinc.com
Notice of Circulars
C-14283
Informational Circular, Revisions to Field Manual, Rule 59.E
Issued: December 4, 2023
Effective: January 1, 2024
Field Manual Rule 59.E.11.b which concerns maintenance of cushioned underframe devices, has been updated. This change will be included in the January 1, 2024, release of the Field Manual.
C-14284
2024 AAR Quality Assurance Auditor & Industry Conference Update
Issued: December 7, 2023
Effective: December 7, 2023
The 2024 Quality Assurance Auditor & Industry website has been updated, including:
- Keynote Speakers
- Tentative Conference Agenda
- Conference Sponsorship Deadlines
- Workshop Information
- Early Registration and Social Networking Event
Link: 2024 Quality Assurance Auditor & Industry Conference
C-14285
Informational Circular, Car Repair Facility Labor Rate – Effective January 1, 2024
Issued: December 12, 2023
Effective: January 1, 2024
The Car Repair Facility Labor Rate, effective January 1, 2024 is $161.67. This will be reflected in the January 1, 2024 release of the AAR Office Manual.
C-14287
Subject Informational Circular, WARNING – Journal Oil AYG (all year grade) Marketed As Compliant To A RETIRED AAR Standard That Is No Longer Supported
Issued: December 15, 2023
Effective: December 15, 2023
Informational Circular, WARNING – Beware of companies marketing and selling railroad journal bearing lubricants as “AAR (Association of American Railroads) approved” 963 Oil, AAR M-963-Journal Oil AYG (all year grade) and other M-963 descriptors (M-963-84, Journal Guard, Journal Oil).
It has come to the attention of the AAR Locomotive Committee that several companies are advertising and selling certain journal bearing lubricants as ‘AAR approved’ and compliant with AAR specification M-963 (also referenced as M-963-84). The M-963/M-964-84 specification referenced has been retired and archived for over three decades. The AAR no longer publishes the specification nor supports the performance claims of the vendors.
Please refer to the equipment’s OEM manual for requirements and recommendations to select the correct lubricant(s) and applications. Usage of non-OEM recommended lubricants may cause damage and operating failures to the equipment.
C-14288
Informational Circular, Canadian Car Repair Facility Labor Rate – Effective January 1, 2024
Issued: December 19, 2023
Effective: December 19, 2023
The Canadian Car Repair Billing Labor Rate calculation for January 1, 2024, is $242.16 CAD.
Upcoming Event
Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS) Winter Meeting
January 9-11, 2024
Greenbrier is a proud sponsor and exhibitor of the MARS Winter Meeting. Join us in Lombard , IL!
Awards and Recognition
Norfolk Southern Thoroughbred Sustainability Partner Awards
Ultra-High-Strength Steel Gondola™
As part of a joint initiative, this Ultra-High-Strength Steel Gondola™ earned Norfolk Southern’s Thoroughbred Sustainability Partner Awards for Innovation.
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.