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-13074
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section E, BRAKES AND BRAKE EQUIPMENT, Standard S-4010, Slack Adjuster, Tension – Inspection, Testing, Removal, and Application, Figure Update to Include All Slack Adjuster Manufacturers
Issued: March 1, 2018
Effective: March 1, 2018
Editorial changes to Figure 2.1 were made. A note was added below 2.4.2 reminding users to install the slack adjuster per the manufacturer instructions. Standard S-4010 (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 E. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13075
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section C, CAR CONSTRUCTION FUNDAMENTALS AND DETAILS, Standard S-213 Side Door and Door Frames, Boxcar – Plug Type
Issued: March 2, 2018
Effective: March 2, 2018
The EEC determined that the detail on conformance being based on car built dates was not necessary, and it was removed. The compliance date was moved back to March 1, 2018, based on the final release date of this Standard. It should be noted that compliance for doors manufactured after this date will require lifting lug installation on all doors. Standard S-213 (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 C. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13078
Revised Implementation Date: Revisions to MSRP Section E, BRAKES AND BRAKE EQUIPMENT, Standard S-4027, Automated Single-Car Test Procedure, Conventional Brake Equipment-Design and Performance Requirements
Issued: March 6, 2018
Effective: January 1, 2019
Due to additional revisions that are underway, the Brake Systems Committee is issuing an extension to the implementation period in circular letter C-12443 and referenced in circular letter C-12777. Software implementation must now be completed by January 1, 2019.
C-13079
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section C, CAR CONSTRUCTION FUNDAMENTALS AND DETAILS, Standard S-2034, Car Builder Certification, Updated Requirements/Definitions for Car Builders, Subcontracting, Subassemblies, and Inspections
Issued: March 9, 2018
Effective: March 9, 2018
Revised Standard S-2034, (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 C. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13080
Implementation of New Specification in MSRP Section D: TRUCKS AND TRUCK DETAILS, Specification M-980, Friction Wedge Performance for Railcars, Dynamic Wear Test
Issued: March 10, 2018
Effective: March 10, 2018
Specification M-980, (attached to the circular), is now implemented and effective immediately. This specification will be incorporated in the next issue of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section D. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13081
Implementation of Editorial Revisions to MSRP Section B, FREIGHT CAR DRAFT COMPONENTS, Unit Condition Indicator requirements for Cushioning Devices, M-921A Sliding Sill, M-921C Reconditioned, M-921H UCI
Issued: March 13, 2018
Effective: March 13, 2018
The revised Specifications M-921A, M-921C, and M-921H, (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 B. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13082
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section G-II, WHEEL AND AXLE MANUAL, S-659, Wheel Storage, and RP-632, 2 Ton Limit for Wheel Mounting
Issued: March 16, 2018
Effective: March 16, 2018
S-659 and RP-632 (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 G-II. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13083
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section I, INTERMODAL EQUIPMENT MANUAL, M-933, Addition of Intermodal Trailer and Container Securement Manual
Issued: March 16, 2018
Effective: March 16, 2018
M-933 (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 I. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13085
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section D, TRUCKS AND TRUCK DETAILS, Standard S-3016, Spring—Groups for Free, Unrestricted Interchange for 286,000 GRL Cars (M-976 and S-286 Approved Trucks), Updates to Table 1.1
Issued: March 29, 2018
Effective: March 29, 2018
Standard S-3016 (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 D. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
Solicitation of Comments Circulars
C-13076
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section C, CARCONSTRUCTION FUNDAMENTALS AND DETAILS, Standard S-2044, Safety Appliance
Issued: March 2, 2018
Effective: 30 days for comments
The AAR Safety Appliance Task Force is proposing two new appendices to Standard S-2044: Appendix E3, “Safety Appliances for Tank Cars with Side Ladders and Low Side-Mounted Hand Brakes” and Appendix E4, “Safety Appliances for Tank Cars with End Ladders and Low Side-Mounted Hand Brakes.” In the proposed appendices, the hand brake would be mounted on the side of the tank car and can be operated from the ground or from the sill step. The proposed application is similar to that of Appendix D2 for well and spine cars with side-mounted hand brakes. Existing Appendices E1 and E2 for tank cars with hand brakes mounted on the end of the car would remain in effect. The proposal is attached to the circular.
C-13077
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section D, TRUCKS AND TRUCK DETAILS, Specification M-976 Truck Performance for Rail Cars. Addition of Traction Ratio Test
Issued: March 6, 2018
Effective: 30 days for comments
The curve and tangent rolling resistance test in paragraph 4.1.2.2 of M-976 has been replaced with a new test method, the “traction ratio” test. Changes are highlighted with change bars in the draft of M‐976 (attached to the circular).
Notice Circulars
C-13084
Car Repair Facility Labor Rate – Effective April 1, 2018
Issued: March 29, 2018
Effective: April 1, 2018
The Car Repair Facility Labor Rate, effective April 1, 2018 is $136.35, an increase of 7.1 percent ($9.06) The Car Repair Facility Labor Rate, effective April 1, 2018 is $136.35, an increase of 7.1 percent ($9.06).
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.