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-14295
Subject
Issued: January 3, 2024
Effective: January 3, 2024
Effective Jan 3, 2024, vented backing rings can no longer be returned to service.
These changes are now fully implemented. Modifications will be incorporated in the next issue of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section H-II. Please update your library with the revised MSRP H-II, S-723 (attached to the circular), and be governed accordingly.
C-14298
Implementation Effective Immediately: CORRECTIONS to January 2024 Field Manual Rules 37 and 59
Issued: January 5, 2024
Effective: January 5, 2024
The purpose of this circular letter is to notify the industry that there were two items found in the January 1, 2024 Field Manual that require attention.
- Rule 37: The last page was inadvertently removed. Pages 335.1-2 have been created and are attached to the circular.
- Rule 59: Page 516 incorrectly referenced EOC-9 in the EOC-27 Replacement Guidelines. Revised page 516 is attached to the circular.
The digital edition of the Field Manual has been updated.
This circular is identified as mandatory in accordance with Field Manual Rule 1.5.b(11) and the attached pages 335, 335.1, 335.2, 336, 515 and 516 must be maintained until the next revision of the Field Manual.
C-1429
Implementation Effective Immediately: CORRECTIONS to the January 2024 Office Manual & Price Matrix
Issued: January 5, 2024
Effective: January 5, 2024
Rule 53 included two retired job codes for fiberglass running boards and Job Codes 5880 & 5884 were missing WMC 41 in the Price Matrix. Corrections have been issued and are attached to the circular.
A new Price Master will be released to correct the missing Why Made Codes. The updated Price Master will be available through the Car Repair Billing application on the Railinc website.
This Circular Letter is identified as mandatory in accordance with Rule 1.5.b.(11) and the attached pages must be maintained until the next revision of the Office Manual.
C-14299
Implementation of Revisions to Figure 14-B: Steel Plate or Slab on Flatcars or Bulkhead Flatcars – Section 2 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
January 9, 2024
Issued: January 9, 2024
Effective: January 9, 2024
The implementation of these revisions to Section 2 is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the AAR’s OTLR manual. In the interim, insert the circular attachment for figure 14-B in your copy of Section 2 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-14305
IMPLEMENTED. AAR Manual of Standard and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-IV Office Architecture and Railroad Electronics Messaging, Standard S-9363.V1.1
Issued: January 29, 2024
Effective: January 29, 2024
Standard S-9363.V1.1 (attached to the circular) will be incorporated into the next issue of the MSRP Section K-IV Office Architecture and Railroad Electronics Messaging In the interim, insert the Circular in your copy of the MSRP Section K-IV and be governed accordingly.
C-14303
IMPLEMENTED. AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-V Electronics Environmental Requirements and Systems Management, Standard S-9401.V1.1
Issued: January 29, 2024
Effective: January 29, 2024
Standard S-9401.V1.1 ( attached to the circular) will be incorporated into the next issue of the MSRP Section K-V Electronics Environmental Requirements and Systems Management. In the interim, please insert the Circular in your copy of the MSRP Section K-V and be governed accordingly.
C-14302
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section C, CAR CONSTRUCTION FUNDAMENTALS AND DETAILS, Standard S-213, Side Door and Door Frames, Boxcar – Plug Type, Revision to the water test fixture requirements
Issued: January 29, 2024 x
Effective: January 29, 2024
The purpose of this circular letter is to notify the industry of revisions to Section C, CAR CONSTRUCTION FUNDAMENTALS AND DETAILS, Standard S-213, Side Door and Door Frames, Boxcar – Plug Type. Paragraph 6.2.1 Water Test Fixture has been updated to require maintaining a minimum water pressure throughout the duration of the water spray test.
Standard S-213 (attached to the circular) is now implemented and effective immediately. This modification will be incorporated in the next issue of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section C. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
Call for Comment
C-14293
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section S, CASTING DETAILS, Specification M-212, Couplers And Yokes, Secondhand—Classification And Reconditioning Procedure, including introduction of M-212A for coupler/draft system related parts
Issued: December 31, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The circular includes a summary of proposed changes as well as and attachment of the proposed draft. The draft would replace M-212 in its entirety and implement new specification, M-212A. Comments or questions should be completed on the attached Comment spreadsheet and submitted to cstcc@aar.com.
C-14301
Solicitation of Comments, Proposal to Modify Car Repair Billing Data Exchange Run Dates
Issued: January 22, 2024
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The proposal is summarized and attached to the circular. Implementation date is targeted for January 31, 2025. Comments should be sent to billp@aar.org.
C-14304
DRAFT S-9373.V1.0 WSRS Requirements, in support of AAR’s MSRP – Section K-IV, Office Architecture and Railroad Electronics Messaging
Issued: January 29, 2024
Effective: 15 days for comment.
The Positive Train Control Interoperability Committee (PTCIC) of the Association of American Railroads (AAR) is publishing DRAFT S-9373.V1.0 WSRS Requirements (attached to the circular) for review and comment. SharePoint access can be found at www.railinc.com.
Notice of Circulars
C-14296
Office Manual Rule 107 Cost Factor – 2023
Issued: January 4, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2024
The Office Manual Rule 107 Cost Factor for 2023, to be used in 2024, is 277, a 37.81% increase from 2022.
Upcoming Event
American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) 2024 Annual Conference & Exhibition
March 24-26, 2024
Greenbrier is a proud sponsor and exhibitor of the ASLRRA conference. Join us in Kansas City, Missouri!
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.