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-13833
Implementation Circular: MSRP Section F, Sensors, Standard S-920, Component Identification Bar Code Standards / Sections 12 & 13
Issued: July 6, 2021
Effective: July 6, 2021
Standard S-920 is now implemented and effective immediately. The revised specification is attached to the circular. Revisions will be incorporated in the next issue of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section F, Sections 12 (Axle Labels) & 13 (Bearing Labels). Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13836
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section S, CASTING DETAILS, Specifications M-202, M-203, and M-210; regarding reporting to AAR, adding sawcuts, and removing radiography requirements
Issued: July 27, 2021
Effective: July 27, 2021
Specifications M-202, M-203, and M-210 are now implemented and effective immediately. The revised specifications are attached to the circular. Revisions 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.
Notice of Circulars
C-13835
Updated Schedule for 2021 AAR M-1003 Basic and Advanced Auditor and Root Cause Analysis Training Classes
Issued: July 19, 2021
Effective: July 19, 2021
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) has finalized the schedule for remaining 2021 AAR M-1003 Quality Assurance Training classes (included in the circular). The Basic Auditor Training classes and Root Cause Analysis Training classes will remain in Webinar format throughout 2021, but the Advanced Auditor Training classes will be in-person onsite training classes. In-person classes are only open to those who are fully vaccinated for COVID (at least two weeks past final vaccination).
C-13834
Save the Date – Announcing the 2022 AAR’s 34th Quality Assurance Auditor and Industry Conference
Issued: July 19, 2021
Effective: April 12-14, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) has scheduled the Annual AAR Quality Assurance Auditor and Industry Conference for April 12-14, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas. Tentative schedule and topics are included in the circular.
Upcoming Events
NARS 2021 Summer Meeting
September 7-9, 2021
The NARS 2021 Annual Meeting will be held in Chicago at the Sheraton Grand.
Greenbrier’s response to COVID-19
As this challenging time continues, Greenbrier would like to provide an update on operations and our continued dedication to our customers, employees, and communities. As rail workers and contractors are designated “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers”, Greenbrier’s manufacturing and repair facilities are fully operational. Our office teams are available as well, though most are working remotely. We encourage you to contact your Greenbrier representative if you have any questions or concerns—we are here for you.
For more information, visit our webpage that details Greenbrier’s response to COVID-19.
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.