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-13154
Implementation of Revision to MSRP Section H, Journal Bearings and Lubrication, M-924, M-934, M-934C, and M-942, Backing Rings, Grease Seal Combinations.
Issued: June 1, 2018
Effective: June 2018
Revisions to Section H, Journal Bearings and Lubrication, M-924, M-934, M-934C, and M-942 as well as addition of alternating measuring techniques for adapter manufacturing and updates to the AAR approved roller bearing backing rings and roller bearing grease / seal combinations has been approved. Implementation of this revision is effective immediately and will be included in the next issue of MSRP Section H. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13155
Implementation of New Figure 141 – Section 3 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: June 14, 2018
Effective: June 14, 2018
The AAR’s Open Top Loading Rules Committee has approved new Figure 141 TRACK PANELS, MIXED LENGTHS EQUIPPED FLATCARS WITH PERMANENT A-FRAME STRUCTURE (Section 3 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules). Implementation of this revision is effective immediately and will be included in the next issue of the AAR OTLR Manual. Carriers are asked to ensure this circular letter and attachments are distributed to all applicable shippers and railroad personnel.
C-13156
Implementation of New Figure 22-D Bars, Steel, Loose or Packaged, Single or Multiple Piles – Gondolas – Section 2 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: June 14, 2018
Effective: June 14, 2018
The AAR’s Open Top Loading Rules Committee has approved a new Figure 22-D Bars, Steel, Loose or Packaged, Single or Multiple Piles – Gondolas – Section 2 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR). Implementation of this revision is effective immediately and will be included in the next issue of the AAR OTLR Manual. Carriers are asked to ensure this circular letter and attachments are distributed to all applicable shippers and railroad personnel.
C-13163
Implementation of Editorial Revisions to MSRP Section E, BRAKES AND BRAKE EQUIPMENT, Standard S-486, Code of Air Brake System Tests for Freight Equipment – Single Car Test, Edits Clarifying Intent.
Issued: June 26, 2018
Effective: June 26, 2018
This circular is issued to notify the industry of editorial revisions to MSRP Section E, Brakes and Brake Equipment Standard S-486. These changes are reflected on pages 15 and 21. Please see the AAR circular letter for revisions and update your library accordingly.
C-13164
Implementation of Revisions to Section E, BRAKES AND BRAKE EQUIPMENT, S-4027, AUTOMATED SINGLE-CAR TEST EQUIPMENT, CONVENTIAL BRAKE EQUIPMENT.
Issued: June 26, 2018
Effective: See Circular Letter
This circular is issued to notify the industry of revision to Section E, Standard S-4027 that resulted from comments received in response to Circular Letter C-13136. The revisions will be included in the next release of the MSRP Section E. Please see the AAR circular letter for revisions and update your library accordingly.
C-13165
IMPLEMENTED. AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-IV Railroad Electronics Messaging Standards, Positive Train Control (PTC) Office – Locomotive Segment – Interface Control Document (ICD), Standard S-9361.V2.0
Issued: June 28, 2018
Effective: June 28, 2018
Standard S-9361-V2.0 describes the message formats for message flows between the locomotive and the back-office. This revision was implemented in June 2018 and is attached to the AAR circular letter in PDF format. The revision will be included in the next issue of MSRP, Section K-IV Office Architecture and Railroad Electronics Messaging Standards. In the interim a copy of this circular must be inserted in your copy of MSRP Section K-IV and revisions followed accordingly.
C-13166
IMPLEMENTED. AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-IV Railroad Electronics Messaging Standards, PTC Back Office Segment-Energy Management Interface Control Document (ICD), Standard S-9372.V2.0
Issued: June 28, 2018
Effective: June 28, 2018
Standard S-9372.V2.0 describes the message formats for message flows between the office and the energy management system. This revision was implemented in June 2018 and is attached to the AAR circular letter in PDF format. The revision will be included in the next issue of MSRP, Section K-IV Office Architecture and Railroad Electronics Messaging Standards. In the interim a copy of this circular must be inserted in your copy of MSRP Section K-IV and revisions followed accordingly.
C-13167
IMPLEMENTED. AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-5 Electronics Environmental Requirements & Systems Management, ITCSM Interface Control Document for Interoperable Train Control, Standard S-9460.V1.0
Issued: June 28, 2018
Effective: June 28, 2018
Standard S-9460.V1.0 describes the message formats for Interoperable Train Control Systems Management (ITCSM) which facilitates communication among the back-office components, the ITCSM Gateway, and all ITCSM compliant assets that use ITCSM Agent. This standard was adopted in June 2018 and is attached to the AAR circular letter in PDF format. The standard will be included in the next issue of MSRP, Section K-V Electronics Environmental Requirements and System Management. In the interim a copy of this circular must be inserted in your copy of MSRP Section K-IV and revisions followed accordingly.
Notice Circulars
C-13157
Announcement – Town Hall Meetings on Car Repair Rates
Issued: June 20, 2018
On April 23rd 2015 and May 12th 2015 Town Hall Meetings were held to discuss comments received in response to Circular Letter C-12301 – solicitation of comments on the proposed change to the method by which the charges for repairs made to freight cars would be established in some situations (Appendix J to the AAR Office Manual). Two follow up town hall meetings will be held by the AAR in order to discuss possible solutions based on comments received.
Details for Town Hall Meetings are as follows:
Session 1:
Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
8:00am – 10:00am
Lowes Chicago O’Hare Hotel
5300 N. River Rd
Rosemont, IL 60018
Session 2:
Scheduled for Early September 2018.
St. Louis MO
(Further details will be sent via circular letter when available).
C-13158
Car Repair Facility Labor Rate
Issued: June 21, 2018
Effective: July 1, 2018
Members and Private Car Owners are advised that the Car Repair Facility Rate, effective July 1, 2018, is $139.02. This is an increase of 2.0 percent ($2.67) from the calculations for April 1, 2018. Please see AAR’s circular for an explanation of increase.
C-13159
Informational Circular – Further Revisions to Office Manual, Rule 107.G
Issued: June 21, 2018
Effective: June 21, 2018
During the April 2018 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal to revise Office Manual Rule 107 G Exhibit IV, Exhibit IV Note 3, and Exhibit V was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revision is identified in the AAR circular and will be included in the July 2018 update to the Office Manual.
C-13160
Informational Circular – Revisions to Office Manual, Rule 103.C.5
Issued: June 22, 2018
Effective: June 22, 2018
During the April 2018 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal to revise Office Manual Rule 103.C.5 was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revision is identified in the AAR circular and will be included in the July 2018 update to the Office Manual.
C-13161
Informational Circular – Revisions to Field Manual, Rule 41.A.1.h (3) and New EHMS Alert
Issued: June 22, 2018
Effective: June 22, 2018
During the April 2018 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal from the WABL Committee to clarify Field Manual Rule 41 was reviewed and approved. Additionally, the Inspection Quality TAG has proposed a new EHMS alert, WILD-WPD that was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revisions is identified in the AAR circular letter. The revision will be included in the July 2018 update of the Field Manual and the WILD-WPD alert will be available on July 1, 2018.
C-13162
July 2018 Field and Office Manual, Summary of Comments and Implementation Details
Issued: June 25, 2018
Effective: N/A
Several Circular Letters soliciting comments to proposed rule changes were issued in May 2018. Additionally, several information letters were issued in May and June advising approval of changes that would become effective July 1, 2018. The AAR has issued C-13162 to recap those letters that sought industry comment, comments received (if any), and considerations/implementation details. To review the summary please see the AAR Circular Letter.
Helpful Resources
CPC-1325
Final Action, Revision to MSRP Section C Part III, M-1002, Specifications for Tank Cars, Chapter 2
Issued: April 07, 2017
Effective: April 07, 2017
The revision to MSRP Section C Part III, M-1002, Specifications for Tank Cars, Chapter 2; Section 2.8 “Tank Cars Transporting TIH” makes reference to several CFR documents and tables contained therein.
The information contained in the tables of these documents (49 CFR 173.244 “Bulk packaging for certain pyrophoric liquids (Division 4.2), dangerous when wet (Division 4.3) materials, and poisonous liquids with inhalation hazards (Division 6.1)” and 49 CFR 173.314 “Compressed gases in tank cars and multi-unit tank cars”) has been consolidated in this table.
The resource table is intended for reference only and does not replace the information contained in the Specification and Codes.
Upcoming Event
Hazardous Materials Training Seminar
Greenbrier’s Regulatory Services Group (RSG) is excited to announce that we will be presenting “Best Practices in Pre and Post-Inspections” at the Hazardous Materials Training Seminar hosted by the Federal Railroad Administration. The seminar will be held from August 21 to 23, 2018 at the Hilton Americas Hotel and Conference Center in Houston, TX. We will have a booth and 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.