AAR Circular Letter Summary – February 2019

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About AAR Circular Letters

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

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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-13275
Implementation of Revised MSRP Section G-II, WHEEL AND AXLE MANUAL, 2019
Issued: February 4, 2019
Effective: February 4, 2019

The revised MSRP Section G-II is now available in both printed and electronic versions. The manual can be purchased online at the following website: www.aarpublications.com. Please update your library and be governed accordingly

 

C-13276
Implementation of New Figure 88K – Section 6 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: February 5, 2019
Effective: February 5, 2019

The AAR Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) has approved to implement this new figure (attached to the circular) into Section 6, Fig. 88K – Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), 24,000 lbs. or less – Flatcar with Chain Tie-Down Assembly. The implementation of this revision to Section 6 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 88-K in your Section 6 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-13277
Implementation of Revisions to Figures 109 and 124 – Section 2 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: February 5, 2019
Effective: February 5, 2019

The AAR’s Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) has approved several revisions to Section 2 OTLR manual for Figures 109 and 124 (attached to the circular). The implementation of these revisions 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 Figures 109 and 124 in your copy of Section 2 and be governed accordingly.

 

C- 13278
Implementation of Revisions to General Rule 11 (11.7.8) and General Rule 20 (20.4.3) – Section 1 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: February 5, 2019
Effective: February 5, 2019

The AAR’s Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) has approved revisions to Section 1 OTLR manual – General Rule 11, Part 2 paragraph 11.7.8 (page 29) and in General Rule 20, Part 2 paragraph 20.4.3. The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR’s manual. In the interim, please insert the circular attachments into your copy of Section 1 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-13280
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section H, Journal Bearings and Lubrication, S-703, Cap Screw Tolerances
Issued: February 13, 2019
Effective: February 13, 2019

S-703 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. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.

 

C-13281
Implementation of Revised MSRP Section S-II, TRUCK DETAILS AND CASTING CODES, 2019
Issued: February 15, 2019
Effective: February 15, 2019

The revised MSRP Section S‐II is now available in both printed and electronic versions. The manual can be purchased online at the following website: www.aarpublications.com. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.

 

C-13284
Implementation of Revised MSRP Section E, Brakes and Brake Equipment, 2019
Issued: February 20, 2019
Effective: February 20, 2019

The revised MSRP Section E is now available in both printed and electronic versions. The manual can be purchased online at the following website: www.aarpublications.com. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.

 

CPC-1344
AAR M-1002 Tank Car Facility Certification Status
Issued: February 22, 2019
Effective: February 22, 2019

The purpose of this AAR CPC is to clarify the AAR M-1002 certification status of existing facilities and existing AAR M-1002 registered tank car facilities applying for M-1002 and M-1003 certification: If a facility initiates the recertification proceedings in accordance with AAR M-1002, Appendix B, 3.7 (6 months prior their current AAR M-1002 registration expiration date), and the certification expiration date passes during the pendency of the recertification proceedings, the facility can continue to operate in accordance with its current M-1002 certification until further notice from AAR. This CPC is effective immediately through December 31, 2019; the policy set forth above is expected to be added to AAR’s rules effective January 1, 2020.

 

Call for Comment

C-13279
Solicitation of Comments for 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: February 13, 2019
Effective: 30 days for comment

The purpose of this circular letter is to solicit comments for proposed revisions to MSRP Section H, Journal Bearings and Lubrication, M-934, M-934E, M-942, and M-959, adjusting all ambient testing temperatures to be the same, updates to the grease corrosion resistance requirement, the AAR-approved seals, and the seal testing requirement. The proposed revisions, attached to the circular, do not have costs associated with implementation.

 

C-13282
Solicitation of Comments on Proposed Revisions to Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section M; Standard S-5019 – LOCOMOTIVE DEFINITIONS
Issued: February 20, 2019
Effective: February 20, 2019

Based on the NGFT TAG input, and a joint effort to harmonize the definitions referenced in other AAR publications, the LC has reviewed and approved one new definition (DGE) as well as editorial revisions to existing definitions that are applicable to locomotive technologies and terminology where clarification may be needed. The footnote formatting and locations have also been revised to harmonize with MSRP, Section T, Specification M-1004 – INTEROPERABLE FUEL TENDERS FOR LOCOMOTIVES. The proposal in attached to the circular.

 

Notice Circulars

C-13283
Registration is Open for NARMO 2019
Issued: 
February 19, 2019
Effective: N/A

The 37th North American Rail Mechanical Operations (NARMO) Seminar will be held May 14-16, 2019 in Dallas. Click here to register for NARMO 2019: (https://www.regonline.com/NARMO2019).

 

C-13285
Open Registration for AAR M-1003 Basic Auditor, Advanced Auditor & Root Cause Analysis Training Classes
Issued: February 20, 2019
Effective: N/A

The following Auditor Training classes are open for registration:

Basic Auditor Training will be held from February 26-28 in San Diego, CA

https://transportationtechnologycenter.configio.com/pd/685/aar-qa-basic-auditor-training-beginning-2019-02-26-in-san-diego-ca?returncom=productlist

 

Advanced Auditor Training will be held from March 26-28 in Vidor, TX.

https://transportationtechnologycenter.configio.com/pd/694/aar-qa-advanced-auditor-training-beginning-2019-03-26-in-vidortx?returncom=productlist

 

Upcoming Events

Chlorine Institute’s 2019 Annual Meeting, Technology Symposium & Table Top Expo

Houston, TX from Monday, April 8 – Thursday, April 11, 2019.

Greenbrier Management Services is very excited to be participating in this event hosted by the Chlorine Institute.

Paul Connor, Performance Assurance Engineer from our Regulatory Services Group, will be on hand to visit and answer questions. We all look forward to seeing you!

Registration and program details can be found at: www.chlorineinstitute.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.