AAR Circular Letter Summary – August 2017

Date

Share

About AAR Circular Letters

Circular letter summaries are produced monthly by Greenbrier’s Regulatory Management team, a division of 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

C-12936
Subject: Implementation of New MSRP Section T, S-5027 21-Point Control Plug, Cable Assembly and Receptacle (TC-21 Tender Control Cable)
Issued: August 2, 2017
Effective: August 2, 2017

A new S-5027 21-Point Control Plug, Cable Assembly and Receptacle (TC-21 Tender Control Cable) has been issued. It is planned that M-1004 and all supporting Standards will be available for purchase under a new MSRP titled Section T – Interoperable Fuel Tenders for Locomotives at www.aarpublications.com.  Until then, M-1004 and supporting standards will only be available via implementation Circular Letters. The circular includes a list of the Specification and Standards that will be part of the first full edition of Section T.

 

C-12937
Subject: Implementation of New MSRP Section T, S-5025 Gaseous Natural Gas Supply Hose Unit for Natural Gas Fuel Tenders and S-5026 Heat Exchange Fluid Hose Unit for Natural Gas Fuel Tenders
Issued: August 2, 2017
Effective: August 2, 2017

New Standard(s) S-5025 Gaseous Natural Gas Supply Hose Unit for Natural Gas Fuel Tenders and S-5026 Heat Exchange Fluid Hose Unit for Natural Gas Fuel Tenders have been issued. It is planned that M-1004 and all supporting Standards will be available for purchase under a new MSRP titled Section T – Interoperable Fuel Tenders for Locomotives at www.aarpublications.com. The circular includes a list of the Specification and Standards that will be part of the first full edition of Section T.

 

C-12938
Subject: Implementation of New MSRP Section T, M-1004 Specification for Fuel Tenders
Issued: August 2, 2017
Effective: August 2, 2017

A new M-1004 Specification for Fuel Tenders has been issued. It is planned that M-1004 and all supporting Standards will be available for purchase under a new MSRP titled Section T – Interoperable Fuel Tenders for Locomotives at www.aarpublications.com. The circular includes a list of the Specification and Standards that will be part of the first full edition of Section T.

 

C-12941
Subject: Implementation of Revisions to the 200 Series Pipe Figures – Section 2 AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: August 9, 2017
Effective: August 9, 2017

There were numerous revisions to these figures to remove inconsistencies, reorder “detail” sketches and Figure 134-A was archived and incorporated into Figure 247. The documents are attached to the circular. The implementation of this revision to Section 2 is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the AAR’s OTLR Manual. In the interim, please insert the circular attachment for these figures in your copy 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.

 

Solicitation of Comments Circulars

C-12939
Subject: Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section D, TRUCKS AND TRUCK DETAILS, Standards S-306 and S-307, Regarding Hadfield Manganese Steel for Vertical and Horizontal Bowl Liners
Issued: August 9, 2017
Effective: August 9, 2017

The Coupling System and Truck Castings Committee (CSTCC) is proposing an update to the chemistry and hardness ranges for Hadfield grade austenitic manganese steel in S-306 paragraph 3.0 and S-307 paragraph 3.0. These values reflect the chemistry ranges and the typical hardness ranges supplied by Hadfield manganese steel manufacturers. The proposed documents, attached to the circular, will replace S-306 and S-307 in their entirety. There are no expected costs for manufacturers associated with this change.

 

C-12940
Subject: Solicitation of Comments for Appendix G Wiring and Electrical Hardware, to be added to M-1004 Specification for Fuel Tenders
Issued: August 9, 2017
Effective: 30 days for comments

The proposed documents apply to new natural gas fuel tenders to be qualified for free, unrestricted interchange freight service. The AAR documents identify the tender’s structural design requirements, operating performance, crashworthiness, fuel interfaces needed to supply natural gas to dual-fuel locomotives, and interfaces needed to load the tender with fuel. The M-1004 Specification and accompanying standards are attached to the circular.

 

C-12942
Subject: Solicitation of comments for revisions proposed for Section F, SENSORS, S-6102 – Wayside Passing Data Format
Issued: August 21, 2017
Effective: 30 days for comments

The proposed changes to S-6102 are attached to the circular.

 

C-12943
Subject: Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section E, BRAKES AND BRAKE EQUIPMENT, Standard S-401 Brake Design Requirements, Welding reference to S-402
Issued: August 24, 2017
Effective: 30 days for comments

The proposed changes correlate the welding requirements of S-401 with those described in S-402 Welding of Air Brake Pipe and Fittings for Railroad Cars- Welding Procedures. The proposed change adds paragraph 13.5, the document is attached to the circular.

 

C-12944
Subject: Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section E, BRAKES AND BRAKE EQUIPMENT, S-400 Brake Equipment – Installation Specifications, Multiple Updates
Issued: August 24, 2017
Effective: 30 days for comments

The proposed changes clarify language and align S-400 with other standards that have been updated. The modifications are attached to the circular.

 

C-12946
Subject: Solicitation of Comments for Appendix J Inspections and Maintenance, to be added to M-1004 Specification for Fuel Tenders
Issued: August 28, 2017
Effective: 30 days for comments

The proposed documents apply to new natural gas fuel tenders to be qualified for free, unrestricted interchange freight service. The AAR documents identify the tender’s structural design requirements, operating performance, crashworthiness, fuel interfaces needed to supply natural gas to dual-fuel locomotives, and interfaces needed to load the tender with fuel. The proposed M-1004, Appendix J, Inspections and Maintenance, is attached to the circular.

 

Notice Circulars

No notice circulars of note this month.

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.