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-14225
Notice of implementation to edit the Figures 124-A, 124-B, and 124-C: Steel Pipe on Gondola Cars – Section 2 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: October 10, 2023
Effective: October 10, 2023
The implementation of the revisions (attached to the circular) is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the AAR’s OTLR Manual. In the interim, insert the circular attachments for figures 124-A, 124-B, and 129-C from 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-14226
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section C, CAR CONSTRUCTION FUNDAMENTALS AND DETAILS, RP-2018 Handholds, Steps, and Ladders for Interior Access – New guidance for safety appliances located below the bottom of the coupler shank
Issued: October 11, 2023
Effective: October 11, 2023
Recommended Practice RP-2018 is now implemented and effective immediately. These modifications will be incorporated in the next issue of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section C. New guidance has been added to prevent safety appliances located below the bottom of the coupler shank from interfering with the uncoupling lever. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-14227
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section C-II, Specification M-1001, DESIGN, FABRICATION, AND CONSTRUCTION OF FREIGHT CARS, Chapter 2 – General Data: Update of Weight and Axle Spacing Criteria
Issued: October 12, 2023
Effective: October 12, 2023
M-1001, Chapter 2, Paragraph 2.1.2.3 “Cooper Bridge Rating Criteria” was updated to include two methods for determining if a car meets the criteria for unrestricted interchange:
Method 1 – Calculated Limits for Cooper Bridge Rating Criteria
Method 2 – Dimensional Limits for Cooper Bridge Rating Criteria
Revised Specification M-1001 Chapter 2 (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-II. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-14230
IMPLEMENTED. AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-I Railway Electronics Systems Architecture and Concepts of Operations, Standard S-9009.V1.0
Issued: October 24, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
StandardS-9009.V1.0 was Adopted in 2023 and is attached to the circular in PDF format. S-9009.V1.0 will be incorporated into the next issue of the MSRP Section K-I Railway Electronics Systems Architecture and Concepts of Operations. In the interim, insert the Circular in your copy of the MSRP Section K-I and be governed accordingly.
Call for Comment
CPC-1416
Solicitation of Comments on Proposed Revisions to MSRP Section C-III, Appendix W and Appendix E Specification for Tank Cars (M-1002)
Issued: October 6, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The Tank Car Committee (TCC) is requesting comments on the proposed revisions of Appendix W and Appendix E of AAR MSRP C-III, Specifications for Tank Cars (M-1002).
Proposed Revision Summary
- Changes to Appendix W resulting from comments received in response to CPC-1401
- Changes to Appendix E to supports changes to Appendix W
- Chapter 1 definitions published in CPC-1415
To facilitate the handling of industry comments, AAR requires Exhibit PC-1 (ver. 6.0) form to be completely filled out and submitted via e-mail to kdorsey@aar.org within 30 calendar days from the date of this CPC. The Exhibit PC-1 ver. 6.0 form must be completed with all information for the submitted comment(s) to be considered. The proposed CPC-1416, Appendices E and W, as well as the comment form are attached to the circular.
CPC-1417
Solicitation of Comments on Proposed Revisions to MSRP Section C-III, Chater 1
Issued: October 9, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The Tank Car Committee (TCC) is requesting comments on the proposed revisions to Chapter 1. The purpose of this CPC is to make MSRP Section C-III, Chapter 1 definitions current with all the previous CPC changes.
To facilitate the handling of industry comments, AAR requires Exhibit PC-1 (ver. 6.0) form to be completely filled out and submitted via e-mail to kdorsey@aar.org within 30 calendar days from the date of this CPC. The Exhibit PC-1 ver. 6.0 form must be completed with all information for the submitted comment(s) to be considered. The proposed CPC-1416, Chapter 1 and the comment form are attached to the circular.
C-14228
Revisions to MSRP F, Sensors, S-6030 Wheel Performance – Dynamic Impact and Rim Thickness
Issued: October 19, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The Equipment Health Monitoring Committee (EHMC) jointly with the Wheels, Axles, Bearings & Lubrication (WABL) Committeeis releasing this circular to solicit comments on the proposed modifications to the subject section within AAR’s Manual of Standards & Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section F – Sensors.
The proposed modifications to this standard are:
- Strike legacy item 2.2 (General Requirements) “Data Summary must be open”
- Insert an editorial adjustment to identify the previously unlabeled table in section 4.0 as “Table 4.1”
- Strike legacy item “Why Made Code 48” in Table 4.1, and,
- Insert text below Table 4.1 that indicates “When a wheelset meets the two conditions listed in Table 4.1, EHMS Alert ‘WILD-WPD’ will be assigned and will be considered the Window of Opportunity for the responsible party.”
Written comments are being solicited under the provisions of AAR MSRP Standard S-050. The proposal is attached to the circular.
C-14229
Solicitation of Comments: Revisions to MSRP F, Sensors, S-6101, Detector Calibration and Validation Requirements – Acoustic Bearing Detector (ABD) Fault Descriptor Validation
Issued: October 20, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The Equipment Health Monitoring Committee (EHMC) jointly with the Wheels, Axles, Bearings & Lubrication (WABL) Committee is releasing this circular to solicit comments on the proposed modifications to the subject section within AAR’s Manual of Standards & Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section F – Sensors.
The proposed modifications to this standard are:
Section 3.3.2 (Truck Performance Detector) – miscellaneous editorial corrections
Section 4.0 (Acoustic Bearing Detector Fault Descriptor Validation)
4.2.1 & 4.2.2 – Editorial adjustments
4.5 – A new section that outlines a requirement for the submission of bearing inspection records for validation review. The section lists the required contents of the submission, as well as the method and file formats requested by the WABL Committee.
Written comments are being solicited under the provisions of AAR MSRP Standard S-050. The proposal is attached to the circular.
C-14234
Solicitation for Comments – Revision to MSRP Section N, Specification M-992, Designated Satellite Shop Repair for Multi-Level Auto Rack Cars
Issued: October 24, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The Specially Equipped Freight Car Committee has proposed revisions to Specification M-992, Section 2.1.3 – Rack Inspection and Repair. This revision pertains to removing tire guides from “A” deck of multi-level equipment. Written comments are being solicited under the provisions of AAR MSRP Standard S-050. The proposal is attached to the circular.
C-14233
Solicitation for Comments – Revision to MSRP Section N, Specification M-970, Condition-Based Certification of Multi-Level Auto Rack Cars
Issued: October 24, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The Specially Equipped Freight Car Committee has proposed a revision to Specification M-970, Section 2.2.3. This revision pertains to removing tire guides from “A” deck of multi-level equipment. Written comments are being solicited under the provisions of AAR MSRP Standard S-050. The proposal is attached to the circular.
C-14232
Solicitation for Comments – Revision to MSRP Section N, Specification M-950A, Universal Wide-Body Bi-Level Fully-Enclosed Auto Rack Car
Issued: October 24, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The Specially Equipped Freight Car Committee has proposed a revision to Specification M-950A, Section 4.4 and 4.4.1 – Decks. These revisions to Section 4.4 and 4.4.1 pertain to removing tire guides from “A” deck of multi-level equipment. Written comments are being solicited under the provisions of AAR MSRP Standard S-050. The proposal is attached to the circular.
C-14231
Solicitation for Comments – Revision to MSRP Section N, Specification M-950, Universal Wide-Body Tri-Level Fully-Enclosed Auto Rack Car (Low Deck)
Issued: October 24, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The Specially Equipped Freight Car Committee has proposed revisions to Specification M-950, Section 4.5, 4.5.1 – Decks and Section 8.2 Tie-Down System. These revisions to Section 4.5, 4.5.1 and 8.2 pertain to removing tire guides from “A” deck of multi-level equipment. Written comments are being solicited under the provisions of AAR MSRP Standard S-050. The proposal is attached to the circular.
C-14236
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section I, Intermodal Equipment Manual, New RP-856, Multi-Car Power Pack Tie Down
Issued: October 25, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The RP-856 proposal details the use of power packs that are capable of powering reefer containers while loaded on railcars. The proposed revision to include RP-856 does not have costs associated to Private Car Owners with implementation. Written comments are being solicited under the provisions of AAR MSRP Standard S-050. The proposal is attached to the circular.
C-14235
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section H-II, ROLLER BEARING MANUAL, Editorial Revision of MSRP H-II.
Issued: October 25, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The proposal contains major editorial changes intended to streamline the entire manual. The changes are editorial in nature and are not intended to change the requirements, criteria, or intent of the current standard. Written comments are being solicited under the provisions of AAR MSRP Standard S-050. The proposal is attached to the circular.
C-14242
Solicitation of Comments, Removal of Field Manual, Rule 97 and Revisions to Rules 1, 78 and 83, Contamination Damage
Issued: October 30, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
At the September 2023 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal to remove Field Manual Rule 97 Contamination Damage and to revise associated rules, was reviewed and approved. The proposal is included in the body of the circular letter. Comments should be sent to nfimple@aar.org.
C-14241
Solicitation of Comments, Removal of Field Manual, Rule 104 and Revisions to Rules 89 and 95, Information Cards
Issued: October 30, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
At the September 2023 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal to remove Field Manual Rule 104 Information Cards and associated references since Information Cards are no longer used, was reviewed, and approved. The proposal is included in the body of the circular letter. Comments should be sent to nfimple@aar.org.
C-14240
Solicitation of Comments, Revisions to Office Manual, Appendix B, Form SE-3
Issued: October 30, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
At the September 2023 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal as advanced by the Specially Equipped Freight Car Committee to revise Office Manual Appendix B, Form SE-3 to remove legacy chock requirements, update current door edge protection systems and add parts for the tri-fold fiberglass end doors, was reviewed and approved. The proposal is included in the body of the circular letter. Comments should be sent to nfimple@aar.org.
C-14239
Solicitation of Comments, Revisions to Field and Office Manuals, Appendix B, Exception Handling
Issued: October 30, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
At the September 2023 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal as advanced by the Specially Equipped Freight Car Committee to revise Field and Office Manuals Appendix B, was reviewed and approved. The proposal is included in the body of the circular letter. Comments should be sent to nfimple@aar.org.
C-14238
Solicitation of Comments, Revisions to Field and Office Manuals, Appendix A, Home Location
Issued: October 30, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
At the September 2023 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal as advanced by the Car Repair Billing Committee to revise Field and Office Manuals Appendix A to add a definition of “Home Location”, was reviewed and approved. The proposal is included in the body of the circular letter. Comments should be sent to nfimple@aar.org.
C-14237
Solicitation of Comments, Revisions to Office Manual, Rule 107.D.1.e, Residual
Issued: October 30, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
At the September 2023 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal to revise Office Manual Rule 107.D.1.e to add a new (5) to address amount of residual, was reviewed and approved. The proposal is included in the body of the circular letter. Comments should be sent to nfimple@aar.org.
C-14245
Solicitation of Comments, Revisions to Field Manual, Rules 16, 17 and 18, Magnetic Particle Inspection
Issued: October 31, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
At the September 2023 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal as advanced by the Coupling System and Truck Castings Committee to revise Field Manual Rule 17, was reviewed and approved. The proposal is included in the body of the circular letter. Comments should be sent to nfimple@aar.org.
C-14244
Solicitation of Comments, Revisions to Field Manual, Rules 1 and 41, Combo Gages
Issued: October 31, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
At the September 2023 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal as advanced by the Wheels, Axles, Bearings and Lubrication Committee to revise Field Manual Rules 1 and 41, was reviewed and approved. The proposal is included in the body of the circular letter. Comments should be sent to nfimple@aar.org.
C-14243
Solicitation of Comments, Revisions to Field and Office Manuals, Rule 91 and Appendix A
Issued: October 31, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
At the September 2023 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal to revise Field and Office Manuals Rule 91 and Appendix A, was reviewed and approved. The Rule 91 update provides clarification on train delay responsibility with the presence of an Equipment Advisory or EHMS Alertand A ppendix A removes outdated terminology. The proposal is included in the body of the circular letter. Comments should be sent to nfimple@aar.org.
C-14246
Car Repair Billing Data Exchange Schedule Effective January 1, 2024
Issued: November 1, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The Car Repair Billing Data Exchange (CRBDX), maintained by Railinc, is a monthly exchange of repair bills for foreign freight equipment. Repairing entities submit bills of car repairs in a proprietary format. These bills are sorted and sent to the billed party for the equipment. The data serves as detail support for paper billing documents. Selected elements of the exchanged data are retained for use in equipment failure trend analysis. For information and use. The 2024 CRBDX Schedule is included in the body of the circular letter.
C-14243
Solicitation of Comments, Revisions to Field and Office Manuals, Rule 91 and Appendix A
Issued: October 31, 2023
Effective: 30 days for comment.
At the September 2023 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal to revise Field and Office Manuals Rule 91 and Appendix A, was reviewed and approved. The Rule 91 update provides clarification on train delay responsibility with the presence of an Equipment Advisory or EHMS Alert and Appendix A removes outdated terminology. The proposal is included in the body of the circular letter. Comments should be sent to nfimple@aar.org.
Notice of Circulars
CPC-1413
RWD 2023-01 EA SH-4006 Rev
Issued: October 6, 2023
Effective: October 6, 2023
The AAR TCC has issued EA SH4006 to document tank cars covered by DOT Railworthiness Directive 2023-01. The following is AAR’s understanding of DOT’s guidance for moving SMBC owned and maintained rubber lined tank cars:
OTMA 3
- Empty/residue shipments cleaned and purged tanks as well as movements of tank cars with linings removed may be accomplished with an OTMA 3.
- Loaded movements for tank cars in transportation before August 2, 2023, may be moved under an OTMA 3.
OTMA 1
- Loaded shipments for tanks cars placed in transportation after August 2, 2023, may be moved after receiving an OTMA 1.
After the cars have been inspected and qualified by SMBC they will be removed from the EA. Specific questions regarding movement of cars covered by RWD 2023-01 should be directed to US DOT.
C-14224
THIS CIRCULAR HAS BEEN CANCELED.
Issued: October 12, 2023
Effective: October 12, 2023
THIS CIRCULAR HAS BEEN CANCELED. Please remove S-9009.V1.0 from your files.
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!
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.