About AAR Circular Letters
Circular letter summaries are produced monthly by Greenbrier’s Regulatory Management team, a division of 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-13391
Implementation of Revisions to Figures 35, 37, 101-A, 101-B and 112-A – Section 5 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: August 9, 2019
Effective: August 9, 2019
The implementation of the revisions to Section 5 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual. In the interim, please insert the circular attachments for Figures 35, 37, 101-A, 101-B and 112-A, into your Section 5 copy 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-13392
Implementation of Revisions to Figure 25 and Figure 27 – Section 5 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: August 9, 2019
Effective: August 9, 2019
The implementation of the revisions to Section 5 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual. In the interim, please insert the circular attachments for Figures 25 and Figure 27 into your Section 5 copy 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-13393
Implementation of Revision to General Rule 21 – Section 1 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: August 9, 2019
Effective: August 9, 2019
The implementation of the revisions to Section 1 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual. In the interim, please insert the circular attachments for General Rule 21 into your Section 1 copy 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-13394
IMPLEMENTED. AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP). Section K-IV Office Architecture and Railroad Electronics Messaging, Railroad Electronics Standards Committee (RESC) Data Dictionary, S-9353.V1.0
Issued: August 11, 2019
Effective: August 11, 2019
Standard S-9353.V1.0, attached to the Circular, was adopted in 2019. It will be incorporated in the next issue of the MSRP, Section K-IV Office Architecture and Railroad Electronics Messaging. In the interim, please insert the Circular in your copy of the MSRP Section K-IV and be governed accordingly.
C-13395
IMPLEMENTED. AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-IV Office Architecture and RR Electronics Messaging, Locomotive Interface Gateway (LIG) Positive Train Control (PTC) Interface Control Document (ICD), Standard S-9365.V3.0
Issued: August 11, 2019
Effective: August 11, 2019
S-9365.V3.0, attached to the circular, has been revised and implemented. Please insert the Circular into your copy of the MSRP Section K-IV and be governed accordingly.
C-13396
Implementation of Editorial Revisions to MSRP Section H-II, ROLLER BEARING MANUAL, S-723, Update of Bearing Production Status and Service Limit Charts
Issued: August 12, 2019
Effective: August 12, 2019
The revised Standard S-723, 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 H-II. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13397
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section H, Journal Bearings and Lubrication, M-934, M-934E, M-942, and M-959, Ambient Testing Temperature, Grease Corrosion Resistance, Approved Seal Updates, and Seal Testing
Issued: August 12, 2019
Effective: August 12, 2019
M-934, M-934E, M-942, and M-959, attached to the circular, are now implemented and effective immediately. This modification will be incorporated in the next issue of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section H. Please update your library and be governed accordingly
C-13399
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section C, CAR CONSTRUCTION FUNDAMENTALS AND DETAILS, Standard S-2034, Car Builder Certification, Editorial Revisions
Issued: August 13, 2019
Effective: August 13, 2019
The AAR Equipment Engineering Committee (EEC) has updated the standard to provide the following guidance:
- Applications must be submitted electronically.
- Car builder scales must meet the requirements of AAR Field Manual Rule 70.
- To add side bearing pedestals to the list of example structural subassemblies.
- To allow sample parts to be manufactured for the S-2034 audit.
Revised Standard S-2034, 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.
C-13400
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section N, Specification M-970, Appendix A Auto Rack Condition Scoring Procedures
Issued: August 26, 2019
Effective: August 26, 2019
Changes to MSRP Section N, Specification M-970 are now implemented and effective immediately and will be incorporated in the next issue of MSRP Section N. In the interim, please insert the circular attachment into your copy of MSRP Section N and be governed accordingly.
C-13401
Implementation of Editorial Revisions to MSRP Section E – BRAKES AND BRAKE EQUIPMENT, Standards: S-461, S-462, S-463, and S-464 to Better Clarify the Purpose of the Test Rack Standards
Issued: August 28, 2019
Effective: August 28, 2019
The revised Standards are now implemented and effective immediately. This modification will be incorporated in the next issue of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section E. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
Call for Comment
C-13388
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section D (TRUCKS AND TRUCK DETAILS), Specifications M-976 Truck Performance for Rail Cars. Addition of Traction Ratio Test
Issued: August 1, 2019
Effective: 30 days for comment
Consistent rolling resistance test results have been difficult to obtain due to the susceptibility of the method to environmental conditions including wind and wheel/rail coefficient of friction. To help overcome environmental effects on testing and allow testing to be more representative of service speeds, the curve and tangent rolling resistance test in paragraph 4.1.2.2 has been replaced with a new test method, the “traction ratio” test. The proposed draft is attached to the circular.
C-13389
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to Circular 42, General Rules Covering Loading or Carload Shipments of Commodities in Closed Cars (DP&FC)
Issued: August 1, 2019
Effective: 30 days for comment
The proposed changes include revisions to Section 3 (Distribution of Weight Lengthwise in Cars), Section 5 (Loading, Blocking, and Bracing for Box Cars) and Section 7 (Center of Gravity). The changes are included in Circular 42-N, attached to the circular.
C-13390
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section E, BRAKES AND BRAKE EQUIPMENT, Standard S-475, Hand Brakes, Sheave and Chain Connector Clarification and Removal of Duplicated Language
Issued: August 5, 2019
Effective: 30 days for comment
Language and images have been added for clarity of standard sheave wheel and chain connector requirements. As well, language that is covered in another section, has been removed. The proposal is attached to the circular.
C-13398
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section B, FREIGHT CAR DRAFT COMPONENTS, Specification M-921B Cushioning Devices, End-of-Car, Addition of New Requirements
Issued: August 12, 2019
Effective: 30 days for comment
New requirements have been added to the Specification to fully document the performance and physical condition of devices after service testing. The new requirements include: Post-Service Testing (9.1.4), Preload Effectiveness Test (9.1.4.1), Restoring Performance Test (9.1.4.2) and Final Teardown Inspection (9.1.4.3). The draft proposal is attached to the circular.
Upcoming Events
Railway Interchange 2019
September 22-25, 2019
Minneapolis, MN
The Greenbrier Companies will be exhibiting at Railway Interchange 2019 in Minneapolis. Stop by and see our new covered hopper line-up!
Exhibit and conference details can be found at: https://railwayinterchange.org/
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.