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.
CPC-1325 Circular Deep Dive
Please visit Pending Regulatory Changes for Shipping Toxic-by-Inhalation Hazard Materials by Rail for the most up-to-date information on this pressure tank car circular.
Implementation Circulars
C-12927
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section J, Specification for Quality Assurance, Appendix A, Activity (products or services) Group Reference List.
Issued: July 18, 2017
Effective: July 18, 2017
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) Quality Assurance Committee has revised the Activity Group Reference List located in Appendix A of MSRP Section J, Specification for Quality Assurance. This revision reflects recent changes approved by the AAR Wheel, Axles, Bearings, and Lubrication (WABL) Committee to add the Activity B33-10 Manufacturer of Freight Wheel Bearing Seals to Appendix A of MSRP Section J. Please reference Circular Letter C-12924 Extension of AAR M-1003 Quality Assurance Program to Include Facilities That Manufacture Freight Wheel Bearing Seals for more information. There were several revisions made to Appendix A of MSRP Section J for clarification and editorial reasons. The revised Appendix A is attached, and is now implemented effective immediately. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-12930
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section E, BRAKES AND BRAKE EQUIPMENT, Standard S-419 and S-4008, Slack Adjusters – Mechanical Double Acting, Slack Adjuster Protection
Issued: July 20, 2017
Effective: July 20, 2017
Standard S-419, “Slack Adjuster, Mechanical Double-Acting Automatic Tension”, and S-4008, “Slack Adjuster, Mechanical Double-Acting Automatic Compression” are now implemented and effective immediately. The revised standards are attached to the circular, and the modification 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-12935
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Sections C (Car Construction) and Section M (Locomotives), New Standard S-2056 Clearance Plate Diagrams for Interchange Service. Implementation of Plate M, Locomotive Diagram for Interchange Service.
Issued: July 31, 2017
Effective: July 31, 2017
Standard S-2056 combines all locomotive and freight car plates into one standard. It also includes new Plate M “Locomotive Diagram for Interchange Service.” A copy of the new standard is attached to the circular, and 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. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
Solicitation of Comments Circulars
C-12925
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section I, INTERMODAL EQUIPMENT MANUAL, M-930, Appendix C, Nose Mounted Refrigeration/Heater Unit Container Limiting Dimensions
Issued: July 6, 2017
Effective: 30 days for comments
The proposed changes include revisions to container limiting dimensions for containers with nose mounted refrigeration/heater units. The proposed revisions do not have costs associated with implementation. The proposal is attached to the circular.
C-12926
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section G-II, WHEEL AND AXLE MANUAL, S-659, RP-632, RP-633, and RP-634, Wheel Storage, Magnetic Particle Solution, Alternate Journal Length Gauge, and Torque System Calibration
Issued: July 7, 2017
Effective: 30 days for comments
The proposed changes include revisions to wheel storage, revision to magnetic particle solution concentration, addition of an alternate journal length gauge for used axles, and revision of the calibration and verification requirements of automated torque systems. The proposed revisions do not have costs associated with implementation. The proposal is attached to the circular.
C-12928
Solicitation of comments for revisions proposed for Section F, SENSORS, S-920, AAR Component Identification Bar Code Standard
Issued: July 18, 2017
Effective: 30 days for comments
The proposed changes concern the tread contour that is to be reported by the manufacturer and the wheel shop. The Equipment Health Monitoring Committee has approved changes proposed by the Wheels, Axles, Bearings, and Lubrication Committee for a revision to S-920 for manufacturers and wheel shops to track the tread contour applied by encoding AAR contour in CEPM Element ID C119. The proposed changes are attached to the circular. Barring any comments that will require changes to the attached draft, the proposed changes will have a planned implementation date 30 days from the issuance of this circular.
C-12931
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section C, CAR CONSTRUCTION FUNDAMENTALS AND DETAILS, Standard S-2043, Performance Specification for Trains Used to Carry HLRM, ECP Brake Requirement Removal
Issued: July 21, 2017
Effective: 30 days for comments
The main purpose of the revisions is to remove the requirement for Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) brakes for trains used to carry high level radioactive material. In addition to the ECP brake requirement changes, assorted clarifications and updates have been made to terminology as well as the vehicle testing test sections of the Standard, all based on the experiences gained through application of the Standard. The proposed changes are attached to the circular.
C-12933
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section B, FREIGHT CAR DRAFT COMPONENTS, Standard S-121, Draft Keys
Issued: July 28, 2017
Effective: 30 days for comments
Proposed changes consist of the addition of tolerances to several dimensions in paragraph 1.0 and changes in paragraphs 4.1.1 and 4.2.1 regarding branding. There are no expected costs for manufacturers associated with this change. The proposed changes are attached to the circular and will replace S-121 in its entirety.
C-12934
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section B, FREIGHT CAR DRAFT COMPONENTS, Specification M-118, Regarding Coupler and Knuckle Pin Mechanical Properties.
Issued: July 28, 2017
Effective: 30 days for comments
The Coupling System and Truck Castings Committee (CSTCC) is proposing mechanical properties and hardness ranges for coupler and knuckle pins that are consistent with those expected for AISI-1060 steel and consistent with current industry practice. There are no expected costs for manufacturers associated with this change. The proposed changes are attached to the circular and will replace M-118 in its entirety.
Notice Circulars
C-12924
Extension of AAR M-1003 Quality Assurance Program to Include Facilities That Manufacture Freight Wheel Bearing Seals
Issued: July 6, 2017
Effective: January 05, 2018
As mandated by the Technical Services Working Committee (TSWC), contractors who Manufacture Seals for AAR Class Roller Bearings are now invited to make application for Quality Assurance Certification under the provisions of Specification M-1003. The AAR Wheel, Axles, Bearings, and Lubrication (WABL) Committee received approval from TSWC to add the requirement for M-1003 approval. Further, this activity will be added to Appendix A of M-1003 as Activity Code ‘B33-10 Manufacturer of Freight Wheel Bearing Seals’. The target date to achieve M-1003 certification for companies producing this component is scheduled for January 05, 2018. All M-1003 applications must be submitted online at http://aar.iirx.net.
C-12932
Fall 2017 AAR Technical Committee Meeting Schedule
Issued: July 24, 2017
Effective: N/A
A summary of the current schedule of technical committee meetings is included in the circular.
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.