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-13268
Implementation of Revisions to Figures 22-D and 298 – Section 2 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: January 9, 2019
Effective: January 9, 2019
The AAR’s Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) has approved revisions to Section 2 OTLR manual. 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 for Figures 22-D and 298 in your Section 2 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-13269
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section G-II, WHEEL AND AXLE MANUAL, RP-631, MD-11 Reporting and Bearing External Inspection
Issued: January 10, 2019
Effective: January 10, 2019
RP-631 is now implemented and effective immediately. This modification will be incorporated in the next issue of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section G-II. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13271
Implementation of New Figure 400 – Section 3 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: January 18, 2019
Effective: January 18, 2019
The implementation of this revision to Section 3 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 400 in your Section 3 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.
CPC-1343
Final Action, Revision to MSRP Section C Part III, M-1002, Specifications for Tank Cars, Chapter 1, Appendix D and Appendix J
Issued: January 24, 2019
Effective: January 24, 2019
The revisions address requirements for Umler reporting and connections for cars transporting Division 2.1, 2.3 or anhydrous ammonia. All documents that pertain to these changes are attached to the circular. The changed sections of the MSRP with new text are indicated by a change bar. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
Call for Comment
C-13272
Subject
Issued: January 31, 2019
Effective: 30 days for comments
This comment version incorporates changes to the M-1004 Specification to accommodate new requirements necessary for tenders to carry compressed natural gas. This circular letter also seeks comments to the following new M-1004 supporting standards: S-5031 Tender-Fill Control Cable (FC-18) S-5032 and Tender-Fill Ethernet Cable (FC-8).
The resulting M-1004 Specification and accompanying standards allow new fuel tenders to be qualified for unrestricted interchange in freight service. The AAR documents identify the tender’s structural design requirements, operating performance, crashworthiness, and fuel interfaces needed to supply natural gas to dual-fuel locomotives, and interfaces needed to load the tender with fuel.
C-13274
Solicitation of Comments – Revised Specification M-1006 PASSENGER EQUIPMENT PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION and Associated Recommended Practices
Issued: February 1, 2019
Effective: 30 days for comments
The Association of American Railroads has formed a Passenger Equipment Acceptance Task Force, with the goal to develop an AAR Specification to address operational safety of new-design passenger equipment (both passenger cars and passenger locomotives) on freight railroad track. The proposed revisions for sections 1-4 as well as additions of Sections 6.0, 8.0, Appendix A and two new associated recommended practices are detailed in the circular.
Notice Circulars
C-13267
2019 Spring AAR Technical Committee Meeting Schedule
Issued: January 3, 2019
Effective: N/A
The AAR Technical Committee Meeting Schedule for the first half of 2019, is included in the circular (i.e. Arbitration & Rules Committee, Brake Systems Committee, Damage Prevention and Freight Claims Committee etc.).
The open meeting for the Tank Car Committee will be held from April 17-18, 2019 in Denver, CO. The hotel location for the open meeting has not been announced yet.
C-13270
SAVE THE DATE – 2019 North American Rail Mechanical Operations (NARMO) Seminar
Issued: January 17, 2019
Effective: N/A
NARMO is part of an ongoing educational effort to better equip car owners, shippers, car shop operators and railroad mechanical personnel with the latest information on mechanical inspections and the AAR Interchange Rules. Information on registration for the seminar, program topics, hotel accommodations, sponsors and exhibit booths will be available in mid-February
The 37th AAR North American Rail Mechanical Operations (NARMO) Seminar will be held from May 14-16, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. Information on registration for the seminar, program topics, hotel accommodations, sponsors and exhibit booths will be available in mid-February.
C-13273
AAR M-1003 Basic and Advanced Auditor Training Classes Open For Registration
Issued: January 31, 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
Advanced Auditor Training will be held from March 26-28 in Vidor, TX.
Upcoming Event
Southwest Association of Rail Shippers (SWARS)
The Woodlands, TX
February 27th-28th
Come visit us! The Greenbrier Companies will be exhibiting at the SWARS event at Table #27, we would love to see you.
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.