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-13046
Implementation of Editorial Revision to MSRP Section C Part II, Specification M-1001, DESIGN, FABRICATION, AND CONSTRUCTION OF FREIGHT CARS, Chapter 4 – Design
Issued: January 5, 2018
Effective: January 5, 2018
The revised Specification M-1001 Chapter 4, 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 Part II. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13047
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section E, BRAKES AND BRAKE EQUIPMENT, S-400 Brake Equipment – Installation Specifications, Brake Rod Supports
Issued: January 8, 2018
Effective: January 8, 2018
Standard S-400 is now implemented and effective immediately. The modification (described in the circular) 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.
C-13048
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section E, BRAKES AND BRAKE EQUIPMENT, Standard S-401 Brake Design Requirements, Welding Reference to S-402
Issued: January 8, 2018
Effective: January 8, 2018
Standard S-401 is now implemented and effective immediately. The modification (attached to the circular) 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.
C-13049
Implementation of New Figure 48-H– Section 6 AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: January 10, 2018
Effective: January 10, 2018
The implementation of this new figure 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 48-H 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-13050
Implementation of Revisions to Figure 43-K– Section 2 AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: January 10, 2018
Effective: January 10, 2018
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 Figure 43-K, 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.
C-13051
Implementation of Revisions to Section1 – General Rules – Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: January 10, 2018
Effective: January 10, 2018
The implementation of these changes to the General Rules is effective immediately and will be available for download at http://www.aar.com/standards/OpenTop-approvals.html. 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-13057
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section MSRP Section S-II, TRUCK DETAILS AND CASTING CODES, Standard S-392, Truck-Design Drawings, Update to Code Sheets and Drawings
Issued: January 12, 2018
Effective: January 12, 2018
This update is one in a series of updates to S-392. Future updates will address other sections related to ASFKeystone drawings (e.g. sections 4.0 and 6.0) and will add new manufacturers. Standard S-392 is now implemented and effective immediately. This modification (included in the circular) will be incorporated in the next issue of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section S-II. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13059
Immediate Implementation of Revisions to the 2018 Office Manual, Rule 88.C.3.c Chart of Minimum Mechanical Requirements: Effective Date for Equipping Cars With Four Port Receivers.
Issued: January 25, 2018
Effective: March 1, 2018
The AAR Equipment Engineering Committee and the AAR Arbitration and Rules Committee have agreed to change the effective date that units must be equipped with four port receivers from January 1, 2018, to March 1, 2018. This Circular is identified as mandatory in accordance with Field Manual Rule 1.5.b.(11) and must be maintained until the next revision of the Office Manual.
C-13061
Implementation of Editorial Revisions to MSRP Section I, M-928, M-928A, RP-899, Reference Updates for Highway Trailer Hitch and Double-Stack Container
Issued: January 25, 2018
Effective: January 25, 2018
The revised M-928, M-928A, and RP-899 are now implemented and effective immediately. This modification (included with the circular) will be incorporated in the next issue of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section I. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13063
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section B, FREIGHT CAR DRAFT COMPONENTS, Specification M-118, Regarding Coupler and Knuckle Pin Mechanical Properties
Issued: January 26, 2018
Effective: January 26, 2018
Specification M-118 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 B. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
Solicitation of Comments Circulars
C-13052
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section E, BRAKES AND BRAKE EQUIPMENT, Standard S-4010, Slack Adjuster, Tension – Inspection, Testing, Removal, and Application, Figure Update to Include All Slack Adjuster Manufacturers
Issued: January 11, 2018
Effective: 30 days for comments
The purpose of this circular letter is to solicit comments to revise Figure 2.1 to include all manufacturers of Group E and Group R slack adjusters. The updated figure is attached to the circular and marked with change bars. Comments from interested parties are herewith solicited under the provisions of AAR Standard S-050. Please submit comments or questions to Devin Sammon, Brake Systems Committee Manager, at TTCI via email at Brakes@aar.com.
C-13055
Solicitation of Comments on Proposed Publications Regarding the Reflectorization of Rail Cars and Locomotives: Section L Specification M-944 (Inspection Procedures); Section L Standard S-916 (Comparator Panels); and Field Manual Rule 66 edits.
Issued: January 10, 2018
Effective: 15 days for comments
Attached to the circular are drafts of the proposed Specification and Standard, as well a page with edits proposed for Rule 66. The AAR intends to have all these changes published and effective on April 1, 2018. All comments received within 15 days of the issuance of this circular will be considered by the EEC. Please submit comments to Jon Hannafious, Senior Manager, Equipment Engineering Committee at TTCI, at jon_hannafious@aar.com.
C-13060
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section I, INTERMODAL EQUIPMENT MANUAL, M-933, Addition of Intermodal Trailer and Container Securement Manual
Issued: January 25, 2018
Effective: 30 days for comments
The Intermodal Trailer and Container Securement Manual has previously been a standalone document that has been updated and proposed to be added to MSRP I for document tracking. The proposed revisions do not have costs associated with implementation. Comments from interested parties are herewith solicited under the provisions of AAR Standard S-050. Please submit comments or questions to Daniel Carter, Intermodal Car Performance Committee Manager, at TTCI via email at daniel_carter@aar.com.
Notice Circulars
C-13045
Version 18.1 of the Car Repair Billing Procedures Manual is Available
Issued: January 5, 2018
Effective: N/A
The Car Repair Billing Committee has accepted revisions to the Car Repair Billing Procedures Manual to become effective following the January 2018 CRB Data Exchange run process. The latest manual is Version 18.1, and is available at https://www.railinc.com/rportal/car-repair-billing-data-exchange. The changes to the manual are included in the circular.
C-13053
AAR meetings that have been planned for the first half of 2018 are listed below.
Issued: January 11, 2018
Effective: N/A
AAR meetings that have been planned for the first half of 2018 are listed in the circular.
C-13056
Correction to Office Manual Price Matrices Retroactive to January 1, 2018 (Job Code 4748)
Issued: January 12, 2018
Effective: January 12, 2018
A recent review of the Price Master conducted by the Car Repair Billing Committee revealed a pricing error for Job Code 4748, Pipe for Railings, 1-1/4 Inches. The pricing has been corrected in the January 2018 Price Master. In accordance with AAR Office Manual Rule 112.D.2, all parties involved in the issuance or receipt of erroneous charges are given the authority to counter bill for charges incurred during the January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017 time period.
C-13058
Revisions to January 1, 2018 Price Master
Issued: January 16, 2018
Effective: January 16, 2018
A new Price Master has been released to correct missing Why Made Codes and update several Condition Codes. The updated Price Master is available through the Car Repair Billing portal on the Railinc website. The Office Manual Price Matrix extract is included with the circular, the new pages can be inserted into your copy of the January 1, 2018 Office Manual Price Matrix.
C-13062
Further Revisions to January 1, 2018 Price Master
Issued: January 26, 2018
Effective: January 26, 2018
When corrections were made to the January 2018 Price Master and Price Matrix (reference C-13058), unrelated pricing errors were introduced to wheel set job codes. The errors only occurred in the electronic Price Master file distributed by Railinc on January 17, 2018. The prices in the current Office Manual Price Matrix, with the inclusion of the Price Matrix extract from C-13058, are correct. A follow-up circular will be published after the January Data Exchange run that will outline options for counter billing for the incorrectly priced line items.
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.