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
CPC-1421
Revision to CPC-1420 Appendix E Paragraph 8.4
Issued: March 5, 2024
Effective: March 5, 2024
This CPC is released to correct the implementation date found in Appendix E paragraph 8.4. The date has been changed to July 1, 2024. Any questions should be forwarded to AAR Tank Car Committee Staff.
C-14323
AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-VI Railway Data Management and Communications, Standard S-9502.V2.0
Issued: March 8, 2024
Effective: March 8, 2024
S-9502.V2.0 provides a common track data exchange format for use between railroads in support of track data maintenance activities for interoperable PTC operations.
Standard S-9502.V2.0 was Adopted in 2020 and Last Revised in 2024 and is attached to this circular in PDF format. S-9502.V2.0 will be incorporated into the next issue of the MSRP Section K-VI Railway Data Management and Communications. In the interim, please insert the Circular in your copy of the MSRP and be governed accordingly.
C-14322
AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-V Electronics Environmental Requirements and Systems Management, Standard S-9421.V1.0
Issued: March 8, 2024
Effective: March 8, 2024
S-9421.V1.0 describes the minimal set of behaviors that a WIU (Client) must comply with for interfacing with ITC Systems Management to align with the PSA-2 architecture.
Standard S-9421.V1.0 was Adopted in 2024 and is attached to this circular in PDF format. S-9421.V1.0 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 and be governed accordingly.
C-14321
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section S-I, CASTING DETAILS, Specification M-214, Side Frames and Bolsters Used and Reconditioned, regarding unit guide modifications and repair of bolster pocket top extensions
Issued: March 8, 2024
Effective: March 8, 2024
The purpose of this circular letter is to notify the industry of revisions to MSRP S-I, CASTING DETAILS, Specification M-214, Side Frames and Bolsters Used and Reconditioned – Classification and Repair Procedure, regarding unit guide modifications and repair of bolster pocket top extensions.
On July 21, 2023, Circular Letter C-14189 was issued to solicit comments. Comments were received and considered by the Coupling System and Truck Castings Committee (CSTCC). No changes were made in response to the comments received.
Specification M-214 is now implemented and effective immediately. This modification will be incorporated in the next issue of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section S-I. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-14328
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section S-I, CASTING DETAILS, Specification M-201, Castings Steel, regarding updates to sections 5.0 (Heat Treatment) and 6.0 (Chemical Properties and Tests)
Issued: March 22, 2024
Effective: March 22, 2024
The purpose of this circular letter is to notify the industry of revisions to MSRP Section S-I, CASTING DETAILS, Specification M-201, Castings Steel. On July 18, 2023, Circular Letter C-14179 was issued to solicit comments. Comments were received and considered by the Coupling System and Truck Castings Committee (CSTCC). The following changes were made in response to the comments:
- Added a sentence to 5.0 regarding foundry operations for heat-treatment furnace loads.
- Added bullet to paragraph 5.3 for identification of batch or continuous processes.
- Editorial revisions to paragraphs 6.1.4 and 6.1.5.
One commenter recommended a lower maximum Aluminum (Al) content limit. The proposed Al content reflects current manufacturing limits in use. CSTCC decided to implement the specification as proposed but agreed to open a docket to review the Al limit.
Specification M-201 is now implemented and effective immediately. This modification will be incorporated in the next issue of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section S-I. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-14327
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section S-I, CASTING DETAILS, Specification M-212, Couplers And Yokes, Secondhand–Classification And Reconditioning Procedure, and implementation of new Specification M-212A for coupler/draft system related parts
Issued: March 22, 2024
Effective: March 22, 2024
The purpose of this circular letter is to notify the industry of revisions to MSRP S-I, CASTING DETAILS, Specification M-212, Couplers And Yokes, Secondhand–Classification And Reconditioning Procedure. On December 31, 2023, Circular Letter C-14293 was issued to solicit comments. Comments were received and considered by the CSTCC. The following changes were made:
- M-212: Reworked paragraph 1.1 and inserted paragraph 1.2 to address components covered under M-212 and M-212A.
- M-212: Editorial corrections were made in various places to ensure proper tables and paragraphs are being referenced with the update.
- M-212: Updated Appendix H to show only couplers and yokes.
- M-212A: No changes made to the proposed document.
Specifications M-212 and M-212A are now implemented and effective immediately. These specifications will be incorporated in the next issue of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section S-I. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-14329
AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-V Electronics Environmental Requirements and Systems Management, Standard S-9418.V1.0
Issued: March 28, 2024
Effective: March 28, 2024
S-9418.V1.0 only describes the security aspects of PSA-2 as they relate to the Systems Management Gateway. It is anticipated another team responsible for Systems Management Gateway requirements will expand upon this document to achieve the full set of ITCSM Gateway requirements supporting PSA-2 with consideration for the migration from PSA-1.
Standard S-9418.V1.0 was Adopted in 2024 and is attached to this circular in PDF format. S-9418.V1.0 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 and be governed accordingly.
Call for Comment
C-14326
Solicitation for Comments to Revised MSRP Section T-1, Specification, M-1004 Specification for Fuel Tenders, to Include Aspects for CH2 and LH2 Style Tenders, and Included Specific Questions
Issued: March 14, 2024
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The purpose of this circular letter is to seek comments on the revised Section T-1, Specification, M-1004 – Specification for Fuel Tenders. This attached version incorporates changes to the M-1004 specification to accommodate new requirements necessary for tenders to carry compressed and liquified hydrogen. This circular letter also seeks comments to the attached list of specific questions regarding the following.
- Section T-1 Chapters
- 5 – Piping, Service Equipment and Protective Structures
- 7 – Tender-to-Locomotive Interface
- 8 – Tender-Fill Interface
- 9 – Car Body Structure and Design
- Appendix H – Painting and Stenciling
- T-3 Standard S-5025 – Gaseous Supply Hose Unit for Fuel Tenders
The following documents are attached to this circular for review and as supporting documentation.
- MSRP-T-I.20240220 – revised M-1004 for review.
- MSRP, Section T-I, M-1004 Questions – the specific questions posed to the industry.
- Spreadsheet for H2 to M-1004 Comments*.
- MSRP-T3.Standard S-5025 – as reference.
C-14330
Solicitation of Comments on the Retirement and Archiving of MSRP Section M, Recommended Practice – RP-5209 BASIC BRAKE DESIGN DATA FOR FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVES
Issued: March 29, 2024
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The purpose of this Circular is to notify the industry of and to solicit comments on the retirement and archiving of MSRP Section M, Recommended Practice – RP-5209 BASIC BRAKE DESIGN DATA FOR FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVES. Upon review, the Locomotive Committee determined that the document contents are already addressed in Section M, Recommended Practice, RP-509 BRAKING RATIOS FOR LOCOMOTIVES.
The railroad community is asked to provide any feedback, if needed. Following the 30-day comment period it is the intention of the Locomotive Committee to remove RP-5209 from MSRP, Section M. Recommended Practices 509 and 5209 are attached for review and comparison, as needed.
Notice of Circulars
C-14320
DATE CHANGE – NARMO 2024 – RESCHEDULED to August 12-15, 2024
Issued: March 6, 2024
Effective: March 6, 2024
NARMO 2024 has been rescheduled to August 12-15, 2024. The location and format will remain as announced in Circular Letter C-14309.
All existing NARMO registrations and hotel reservations are being automatically transferred to the rescheduled dates. Please contact Stephanie Kilfeather via email at skilfeather@aar.org if you need to cancel your NARMO registration. Please contact the hotel directly if you need to cancel your hotel reservation.
C-14324
Informational Circular, Car Repair Facility Labor Rate – Effective April 1, 2024
Issued: March 11, 2024
Effective: April 1, 2024
The Car Repair Facility Labor Rate, effective April 1, 2024 is $161.67, unchanged from the calculation for January 1. The only change this quarter was an update to health and welfare employee cost sharing for one railroad, but it was not material enough to create a variance.
This will be reflected in the April 1, 2024 release of the AAR Office Manual.
C-14325
Informational Circular, Canadian Car Repair Facility Labor Rate – Effective April 1, 2024
Issued: March 11, 2024
Effective: April 1, 2024
The Canadian Car Repair Billing Labor Rate calculation for April 1, 2024 is $242.09 CAD (Two hundred and forty‐two Canadian dollars and nine cents), a decrease of seven cents from the calculation for January 1. For comparison purposes, this converts to about $179.62 in U.S. dollars. The currency conversion factor used to calculate the Health & Welfare portions of the January 1 Canadian Labor Rate was 1.3505. The currency conversion factor used to calculate the Health & Welfare portions of the April 1 Canadian Labor Rate is 1.3478. This caused the decrease in the Canadian Labor Rate.
The change will be reflected in the April 1, 2024 release of the Canadian Price Master.
Upcoming Event
North East Association of Rail Shippers (NEARS) 2024 Spring Conference
Saratoga Springs, New York | April 24–26, 2024
Greenbrier is proud to sponsor the NEARS conference. Join us for a discussion with Greenbrier’s Paddy O’Neill and a panel of experts on the rail shipping industry.
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.
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