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-13501
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section C, CAR CONSTRUCTION FUNDAMENTALS AND DETAILS, Standard S-2044 Safety Appliance Requirements for Freight Cars. Addition of two new appendices.
Issued: January 10, 2020
Effective: January 10, 2020
The revisions implemented include the two new appendices as well as editorial changes to the base standard and appendices. The FRA approved this revised Standard S-2044 in a letter to the AAR dated December 23, 2019. Details and notes are included in an attachment to the summary.
Appendix E3 – Safety Appliances for Tank Cars with Side Ladders and Low Side-Mounted Hand Brakes
Appendix E4 – Safety Appliances for Tank Cars with End Ladders and Low Side-Mounted Hand Brakes
Revised Standard S-2044 is now implemented and is effective immediately. This modification will be incorporated in the next issue of thee Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section C. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13503
Implementation of Editorial Revisions to MSRP Section S, CASTING DETAILS, Specification M-975, Span Bolster, Regarding Correction of an Equation and a Test Parameter
Issued: January 16, 2020
Effective: January 16, 2020
The editorial revisions provide a correction of the Force Value Used calculation and the Charpy V-notch testing temperature. The revised Specification M-975, 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 S. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13505
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section S, CASTING DETAILS, Specifications M-214 and M-220, Regarding Inspection and Reconditioning of Side Frames and Bolsters for Interchange Service Past 52 Years from Date Cast
Issued: January 29, 2020
Effective: January 29, 2020
Revised Specifications M-214 and M-220, attached to the circular, are now implemented and effective immediately. These modifications will be incorporated in the next issue of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section S. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
Call for Comment
C-13504
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section L, LETTERING AND MARKING OF CARS, Standard S-910, Lettering and Marking of Cars, Complete revision of the Standard.
Issued: January 17, 2020
Effective: 30 days for comment
The Standard has been completely rewritten. Major changes include:
- A proposed font for all marks.
- Information decals or plates are proposed for truck systems and draft systems.
- Identification of marks as mandatory or optional for the car owner.
- All new drawings showing the marks for various car types, with callouts pointing to the paragraph in the standard which mentions that mark.
Car builders are encouraged to review the entire Standard. The proposal is attached to the circular.
C-13506
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to AAR Intermodal Interchange Rules, Section F, Section H, Section L, and Section M, Tires Slid Flat, and Repair Limit Increase
Issued: January 29, 2020
Effective: 30 days for comment
The purpose of this circular letter is to solicit comments for proposed revisions to AAR Intermodal Interchange Rules, Section F, Section H, Section L, and Section M, to clarify when repair or replacement of tires with flat spots is needed, and an increase of the repair limit from $450 to $750. The proposed revisions to Section F, Section H, Section L, and Section M do not have costs associated with implementation. The proposal is attached to the circular.
Notice of Circulars
C-13500
January 2020 Field and Office Manuals, Summary of Comments and Implementation Details
Issued: January 1, 2020
Effective: N/A
The circular includes a recap in list form, of those letters issued Q4-2019 seeking industry comment, comments received (if any), consideration and implementation details for changes to the 2020 Field and Office Manuals.
C-13502
Spring 2020 AAR Technical Committee Meeting Schedule
Issued: January 10, 2020
Effective: N/A
AAR meetings that have been planned for the first half of 2020 are listed.
Upcoming Event
Southwest Association of Rail Shippers Annual Meeting
March 4-5, 2020
Galveston, Texas
The Greenbrier Companies will be attending the SWARS Annual Meeting! Members of our staff will be in attendance and available to answer any questions you may have about Greenbrier’s products and services.
More details about SWARS can be found on their website.
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.