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-14097
Implementation Circular: MSRP Section F, Sensors, Standard S-920, Component Identification Bar Code Standards / Appendix D – Coupler Body Data Glossary
Issued: January 3, 2023
Effective: January 3, 2023
Revisions have been implemented to Standard S-920 (MSRP F – Sensors) allowing coupler bar data elements to identify Grade C couplers that have been upgraded to Grade E properties.
C-14099
Implementation of Revisions to General Rules 19, 21 and 30 – Section 1 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual
Issued: January 4, 2023
Effective: January 4, 2023
The implementation of revisions to OTLR manual, Section 1, is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual. In the interim, insert the circular attachments for General Rules 19, 21 and 30 into your Section 1 copy and be governed accordingly. 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-14102
Implementation of Revisions to Figure 124-B: PIPE, STEEL, 26 IN. OD OR LESS, MAXIMUM 48 FT MIXED DIAMETERS, SECURED WITH NON-METALLIC STRAPPING—52-FT GONDOLAS – Section 2 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: January 6, 2023
Effective: January 6, 2023
The implementation of revisions to OTLR manual, Section 2, is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual. In the interim, insert the circular attachments for Figure 124-B in your Section 2 copy and be governed accordingly. 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-14100
Notice of implementation to edit the figures by adding the minimum product length in Figures 129 and 129-A – Section 2 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: January 6, 2023
Effective: January 6, 2023
The implementation of revisions to OTLR manual Section 2 is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR Manual. In the interim, insert the circular attachment for Figures 129 and 129-A in your Section 2 copy and be governed accordingly.
Call for Comment
C-14101
Solicitation of Comments to archive Figure 126: PIPE, STEEL AND WROUGHT IRON, 26 IN. O.D. OR LESS—GONDOLAS – Section 2 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: January 6, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The AAR’s Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) believes this figure is no longer used for load preparation, so there is no value in retaining the figure in the OTLR manual. Also, the committee discussed to archive this figure due to safety concerns with an option to reinstate if testing and modifications warrant or shipper offers to impact test with recommendations from OTLRC.
C-14105
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section B, FREIGHT CAR DRAFT COMPONENTS, Specifications M-901E and M-901G Draft Gear Requirements, in regard to extending the limits of travel
Issued: January 25, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The AAR Equipment Engineering Committee (EEC) is proposing to extend the limits of travel to allow for longer travel systems that might have the ability to absorb more energy. There is no cost to the industry associated with these proposed changes. Changes are highlighted with callouts on the first page of each specification (attached to the circular). The Draft Gear Manufacturers Engineering Committee has reviewed the proposed changes and took no exception.
Notice of Circulars
C-14098
AAR 2023 Quality Assurance Auditor & Industry Conference Update
Issued: January 3, 2023
Effective: January 3, 2023
The finalized agenda for the 35thAnnual AAR Quality Assurance Auditor & Industry Conference to be held at the Sheraton New Orleans from February 7-9, 2023, has been released and is attached to the circular.
C-14103
2023 AAR M-1003 Quality Assurance Auditor Training Class Schedule
Issued: January 6, 2023
Effective: January 6, 2023
The 2023 AAR M-1003 Quality Assurance Training class schedule has been released and is attached to the circular.
C-14104
Spring 2023 AAR Technical Committee Meetings
Issued: January 25, 2023
Effective: January 25, 2023
AAR meetings that have been planned for the first half of 2023 are listed in the circular. AAR Meeting Announcements can also be found online on the MxV Rail Technical Services web page: http://www.aar.com/standards/AARMeetingAnnouncements.html
C-14106
Informational Circular, Office Manual Rule 107, Freight Car Index Factor
Issued: January 27, 2023
Effective: January 1, 2023
The AAR Car Repair Billing Committee has approved the 2022 Freight Car Index Factor of 201 to be used in 2023. This number is unchanged from the 2018 through 2021 Freight Car Index Factor. The Freight Car Index Factor is based on the Freight Car Producer Price Index from October 1, 2021, to September 30, 2022. The new Freight Car Index Factor is published in Rule 107 of the Office Manual, and is effective January 1, 2023.
Upcoming Event
PNWARS Spring Meeting
March 14 – 15, 2023
Greenbrier is a proud sponsor at the PNWARS Spring Meeting in Portland, OR. Featured speaker: Kari Wagner, Greenbrier’s VP, Commercial Strategy.
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.