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-13068
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section H-II, Roller Bearing Manual, S-721, Brinelling Description
Issued: February 12, 2018
Effective: February 12, 2018
S-721 is now implemented and effective immediately. This modification (attached to the circular) 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-13069
Implementation of New Figure 36-B– Section 6 AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: February 12, 2018
Effective: February 12, 2018
The implementation of this new figure to Section 6 (attached to the circular) 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 Figure 36-B in your copy Section 6 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-13070
Implementation of Revisions to Figure 26 – Section 5 AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: February 12, 2018
Effective: February 12, 2018
The implementation of this revision to Section 5 (attached to the circular) 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 Figures 26 in your copy Section 5 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-13072
Implementation of New Figure 48-I– Section 6 AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: February 12, 2018
Effective: February 12, 2018
The implementation of this new figure to Section 6 (attached to the circular) 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 Figure 48-I in your copy Section 6 and be governed accordingly.
Solicitation of Comments Circulars
C-13064
Solicitation of Comments – New Specification M-1005 LOCOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS SAFETY ASSESSMENTS AND ANALYSES for MSRP Section M, LOCOMOTIVES AND LOCOMOTIVE INTERCHANGE EQUIPMENT
Issued: February 2, 2018
Effective: 30 days for comments
Specification M-1005 was developed by the AAR Subpart E Task Force, established by the Locomotive Committee, with the goal of providing a comprehensive response and standard protocol to demonstrate compliance with 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 229, Subpart E – Locomotive Electronics. Specification M-1005 defines a methodology and the responsibilities for both railroads and suppliers to comply with the regulatory requirements. Specification M-1005 will be mandatory for all locomotives that are ordered after the specification is implemented. Upon implementation, M-1005 will be added to the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section M, LOCOMOTIVES AND LOCOMOTIVE INTERCHANGE EQUIPMENT. The proposal is attached to the circular.
C-13065
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section G-II, WHEEL AND AXLE MANUAL, S-659, Wheel Storage, and RP-632, 2 Ton Limit for Wheel Mounting
Issued: February 5, 2018
Effective: 30 days for comments
The proposed revisions do not have costs associated with implementation. The proposals are attached to the circular.
C-13067
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section S, CASTING DETAILS, Specification M-201, Castings Steel, Regarding Flawed Tensile Specimen Procedures
Issued: February 9, 2018
Effective: 30 days for comments
The Coupling System and Truck Castings Committee is proposing changes to paragraph 7.2.3 to require documenting flawed tensile test specimens and procedures to handle retests. The changes are highlighted with change bars in a file attached file, which replaces M-201 in its entirety.
C-13071
Issued: February 12, 2018
Effective: 30 days for comments
The OTLRC requests comments from the industry regarding requiring all pipe with couplings, sleeves, or thread protectors to be staggered to avoid contact and maintain even load. The proposal is attached to the circular.
Notice Circulars
C-13066
Correction to Office Manual Price Matrices Retroactive to February 1, 2018
Issued: February 8, 2018
Effective: N/A
The purpose of this circular letter is to authorize counter billing related to incorrect wheelset prices as described in C-13062. The pricing has been corrected in the January 26, 2018 release of the Price Master. All parties involved in the issuance or receipt of erroneous charges incurred between January 17, 2018 and January 31, 2018 are given the authority to counter bill in accordance with AAR Office Manual rule 112.D.2. A chart with the detailed information regarding the material under or overcharged is included in the circular, as well as a list of the affected wheelset job codes.
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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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.