AAR Circular Letter Summary – September 2022

Date

Share

About AAR Circular Letters

Circular letter summaries are produced monthly by Greenbrier Management Services Group.

Download GMS brochure:

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-1400
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section C-III, Specification for Tank Cars (M-1002), Chapters 1 & 2, and Appendices C, D, E, M, R, U & Y
Issued: September 2, 2022
Effective: September 2, 2022

The circular letter announces final action on revisions to the AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section C, Part III, Specifications for Tank Cars (M-1002). All revisions are identified by change bars in the margins of the Chapters 1, Chapter 2, and Appendices C, D, E, M, R, U & Y, attached to the circular.

 

C-14025
IMPLEMENTED, AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-II Locomotive Electronics and Train Control System Architecture, Standard S-9101 Appendix F V1.2
Issued: September 21, 2022
Effective: September 21, 2022

Standard S-9101 Appendix F V1.2 is attached to the Circular in PDF format.

 

C-14026
Implementation Circular: Revisions to MSRP F, Sensors, S-6008 Data Summary – Salient Wheel Impact
Issued: September 26, 2022
Effective: September 26, 2022

Revisions to S-6008 have been implemented. The standard is attached as reference. Railinc will provide notice to the industry of technical changes and any applicable go-live dates related to this implementation through a forthcoming release advisory.

Call for Comment

CPC-1401
Solicitation of Comments on Proposed Revisions to MSRP Section C-III, Specification for Tank Cars (M-1002), Appendix W
Issued: September 6, 2022
Effective: 30 days for comment.

The Tank Car Committee (TCC) is requesting comments on the proposed revisions to Appendix W of AAR MSRP C-III, Specifications for Tank Cars (M-1002). Revisions are identified by change bars in the margin within the PDF attachments. The revisions pertain to:

  • Updates to Scope to align with proposed revisions
  • Updated the term butt weld with proper terminology of groove weld
  • Updates to Types and Purposes of Tests
  • Identification of mandatory references
  • Revisions made to weld orientation and test position
  • Tables and Figures added to align with proposed paragraph language
  • Previous paragraph 15.0 was formatted into a table
  • Reformatting paragraphs for weld procedure qualification

 

C-14020
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section S, CASTING DETAILS, Specification M-214, Side Frames and Bolsters Used and Reconditioned – Classification and Repair Procedure, Regarding Updates to Marking and OEM Manuals
Issued: September 16, 2022
Effective: 30 days for comment.

The Coupling System and Truck Castings Committee (CSTCC) is proposing the following changes to M-214 (PDF attached to the circular):

  • Reconditioners must have the latest revisions of OEM manuals.
  • A new webpage is proposed to provide access to latest OEM manuals by either direct download or links to OEM sites.
  • Links to OEM maintenance manuals: https://aar.com/standards/coupling-system.html
  • Dot peen markings are permitted in place of stamped markings.
  • Marking layout was updated.
  • Marking location image was moved from Figure D.1 to Section 4.1.

The proposed revisions to M-214 do not have costs associated with implementation.

 

C-14019
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section S, CASTING DETAILS, Specification M-201, Castings Steel, Regarding Changes to Section 4.0
Issued: September 16, 2022
Effective: 30 days for comment.

Proposed changes to Section 4.0 to identify processes and controls that need to be in place and documented as standard foundry practice. Changes are highlighted with change bars in the PDF attached to the circular. The proposed revisions to M-201 do not have costs associated with implementation.

 

C-14024
DRAFT S-9080.V4.0 – Positive Train Control Interoperability Committee Policy is available for review and comment, in support of AAR’s MSRP – Section K-1, Railway Electronics Systems Architecture and Concept of Operations
Issued: September 21, 2022
Effective: 7 days for comment.

The document defines the policy-related items related to or required for PTC interoperability and document standard(s) associated with each. SharePoint access can be found at www.railinc.com.

Notice of Circulars

C-14022
Informational Circular, Canadian Car Repair Facility Labor Rate – Effective October 1, 2022
Issued: September 20, 2022
Effective: October 1, 2022.

The Canadian Car Repair Facility Labor Rate, effective October 1, 2022, is $239.09 CAD. The change will be reflected in the October 1, 2022, release of the Canadian Price Master.

 

C-14021
Informational Circular, Car Repair Facility Labor Rate – Effective October 1, 2022
Issued: September 20, 2022
Effective: October 1, 2022.

The Car Repair Facility Labor Rate, effective October 1, 2022, is $149.34. This will be reflected in the October 1, 2022, release of the AAR Office Manual.

 

C-14023
Registration is Now Open for The February 2023 AAR Quality Assurance Auditor & Industry Conference
Issued: September 21, 2022
Effective: February 4-6, 2023

The 35th Annual AAR Quality Assurance Auditor & Industry Conference will be held February 4-6, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. A flyer is attached to the circular. Register for the conference and reserve hotel rooms at: https://ttci.configio.com/2023 AAR QA Conference

 

Upcoming Event

RSI Expo Conference
October 11 – 13

Greenbrier is a proud sponsor and exhibitor at this year’s RSI Expo Conference in Fort Worth, TX. Visit booth #209 to learn more about our innovative railcars and see the Tsunami Hatch™ in action. Be sure to check out the Opening Keynote – Session 1 on Wednesday, October 12 at 9:00 am featuring Lorie Tekorius, Greenbrier’s President & Chief Executive Officer.

 

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.