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-13226
Implementation of Revised MSRP Section S, CASTING DETAILS, 2018
Issued: November 6, 2018
Effective: November 6, 2018
The Association of American Railroads Coupling System and Truck Castings Committee (CSTCC) has released a new edition of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section S, CASTING DETAILS. The manual can be purchased online at: www.aarpublications.com. All previously implemented standards and specifications are included in this print of Section S. Please update your library and be governed accordingly. The section S circular revisions 2016-2018 are attached to the circular.
C-13228
Adoption of new standard in MSRP Section L, LETTERING AND MARKING OF CARS, Standard S-916 Retroreflective Comparator Panel Requirements
Issued: November 8, 2018
Effective: November 8, 2018
Standard S-916, 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 L. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
Call for Comment
C-13229
Solicitation of Comments, Revisions to Field Manual, Rules 5 & 6, Trainline End Hose Extension Application
Issued: November 12, 2018
Effective: 30 days for comments
At the September 2018 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal by the Brake Systems Committee to revise Field Manual Rules 5 & 6 regarding Trainline End Hose Extension
Application, was reviewed and approved. The revision is to address these improper applications when a car is inappropriately equipped. The entire text of the revision is included in the circular letter.
C-13230
Solicitation of Comments, Revisions to Office Manual, Rule 107 and Appendix A, Betterments
Issued: November 12, 2018
Effective: 30 days for comments
At the September 2018 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal to revise the Field and Office Manuals Appendix A, definition of Betterments, and to revise Office Manual Rule 107 to identify the ability to for the damaging carrier to request information from the car owner and to include reference the Umler Data Specification Manual, was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revision is included in the circular.
C-13231
Solicitation of Comments for New EHMS Alert, AEIMISMATCH
Issued: November 12, 2018
Effective: 30 days for comments
The purpose of this circular is to solicit comments for a new EHMS alert. The alert is titled AEIMISMATCH and supports AAR Field Manual Rule 63.A.3. The entire text of the revision is included in the circular. The proposed alert will become active on December 11, 2018.
C-13232
Solicitation of Comments, Revisions to Field Manual, Rules 80 and 88
Issued: November 12, 2018
Effective: 30 days for comments
At the September 2018 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal by the Equipment Engineering Committee to revise Field Manual Rules 80 and 88, was reviewed and approved. The text of the revision is included in the circular.
C-13233
Solicitation of Comments, Revisions to Office Manual, Rule 112
Issued: November 12, 2018
Effective: 30 days for comments
At the September 2018 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal as advanced by the Car Repair Billing Committee to revise Office Manual Rule 112.G.7 was reviewed and approved. The text of the revision is included in the circular.
C-13234
Solicitation for Comments, Revisions to Field Manual, Rule 44, Purchased Core Wheel Set
Issued: November 13, 2018
Effective: 30 days for comments
C‐13135 was issued on May 17, 2017. Based on comments received and as noted in C‐13162, issued June 25, 2018, the proposed changes were withdrawn for further review. At the September 2018 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a revised proposal was reviewed and approved. The text of the revision and Cost Benefit Analysis is included in the circular.
C-13235
Solicitation of Comments, Revisions to Field Manual, Rule 59 Solicitation of Comments, Revisions to Field Manual, Rule 59 Solicitation of Comments, Revisions to Field Manual, Rule 59
Issued: November 13, 2018
Effective: 30 days for comments
At the September 2018 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal by EEC to revise Field Manual Rule 59, was reviewed and approved. The text of the revision is included in the circular.
C-13236
Solicitation of Comments, Revisions to Field Manual, Rule 66
Issued: November 13, 2018
Effective: 30 days for comments
At the September 2018 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal by the Equipment Engineering Committee to revise Field Manual Rule 66, was reviewed and approved. The proposed changes are being made as the industry moves from a time based regulation (10 year replacement) to a performance based rule (when reflective properties are low). The entire text of the revision is included in the circular.
C-13237
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section G-II, WHEEL AND AXLE MANUAL, RP-631, MD-11 Reporting and Bearing External Inspection
Issued: November 14, 2018
Effective: 30 days for comments
The proposed revisions are attached to the circular and do not have costs associated with implementation.
Notice Circulars
C-13227
AAR Safety Alert Improperly Secured Tie-down Cables on Centerbeam Cars
Issued: November 7, 2018
Effective: November 7, 2018
A number of small derailments have occurred in rail yards caused by cables from centerbeam flatcars that are not attached properly after unloading. In addition, unsecured cables hanging from the car as the car is moved through yards and other facilities can create a hazard in walking areas that are in close proximity. The unloader may leave the cables loose when they return the car. This is in violation of General Rule 22.4.3- Section 1 Open Top Loading Rules.
This rule states: All cables must be properly secured per manufacturer’s recommendations prior to car movement.
This has been a recurring problem first brought to light in December of 2015. Carriers are urged to ensure that empty cars being returned by the consignee have their cables properly secured to the railcar. Attached for your reference is a document illustrating both proper and improper cable securement practices. In the event that a car is offered for interchange without the cables properly secured, the car should be rejected out of concern for safety.
C-13238
Informational Circular, Revisions to Field Manual, Rules 3 & 7, Brake Stencils
Issued: November 14, 2018
Effective: January 2019 release of the Field Manual
At the September 2018 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal by the Brake Systems Committee to revise Field Manual Rules 3 & 7 regarding Brake Stencils, was reviewed and approved. The text of the addition is included in the circular. The changes will be included in the January 2019 release of the Field Manual.
C-13239
Informational Circular, Revisions to Field Manual, Rules 4 and 8
Issued: November 14, 2018
Effective: January 2019 release of the Field Manual
At the September 2018 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal by the Brake Systems Committee to revise Field Manual Rules 4 & 8, was reviewed and approved. The text of the addition is included in the circular. The changes will be included in the January 2019 release of the Field Manual.
C-13240
Informational Circular, Revisions to Field Manual, Rule 17
Issued November 14, 2018
Effective: January 2019 release of the Field Manual
At the September 2018 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal by the CSTC Committee to revise Field Manual Rule 17, was reviewed and approved. The text of the addition is included in the circular. The changes will be included in the January 2019 release of the Field Manual.
C-13241
Informational Circular, Revisions to Field Manual, Rule 36.E.5, MD Submission
Issued: November 14, 2018
Effective: January 2019 release of the Field Manual
At the September 2018 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal as advanced by the WABL Committee to revise Field Manual Rule 36.E.5, was reviewed and approved. The text of the addition is included in the circular. The changes will be included in the January 2019 release of the Field Manual.
C-13242
Informational Circular, Revisions to Field Manual, Rule 53, Running Boards
Issued: November 14, 2018
Effective: January 2019 release of the Field Manual
At the September 2018 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal as advanced by the Equipment Engineering Committee to revise Rule 53.B.1.d, was reviewed and approved. The text of the addition is included in the circular. The changes will be included in the January 2019 release of the Field Manual.
C-13243
Informational Circular, Revisions to Field Manual, Rule 62
Issued: November 14, 2018
Effective: January 2019 release of the Field Manual
At the September 2018 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal by the Equipment Engineering Committee to revise Field Manual Rule 62 to move two defects from A.1 Condemnable at Any Time to A.2 Condemnable When Car Is on Shop or Repair Track for Any Reason, was reviewed and approved. The text of the addition is included in the circular. The changes will be included in the January 2019 release of the Field Manual.
C-13244
Informational Circular, Editorial Revisions to Field Manual, Rule 95.B.5
Issued: November 14, 2018
Effective: January 2019 release of the Field Manual
At the September 2018 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal by the DDCT TAG to revise Field Manual Rule 95.B.5(g) and (h) to change screen to side, was reviewed and approved. The text of the addition is included in the circular. The changes will be included in the January 2019 release of the Field Manual.
C-13245
Informational Circular, Revisions to Field Manual, Rules 16 and 17
Issued: November 14, 2018
Effective:January 2019 release of the Field Manual
At the September 2018 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal by the Car Repair
Billing Committee to revise Field Manual Rules 16 and 17 to remove Condition Code 1 from specific
Job Codes, was reviewed and approved. Coupler types associated with the below job codes have been out of production for many years, and should never be expected to be applied as new. The text of the addition is included in the circular. The changes will be included in the January 2019 release of the Field Manual.
C-13246
Informational Circular, Revisions to Field Manual, Rules 16 and 17
Issued: November 15, 2018
Effective: January 2019 release of the Field Manual
At the September 2018 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal by the Brake Systems Committee to revise the Field and Office Manuals to remove references to ECP Brakes, was reviewed and approved. The text of the addition is included in the circular. The changes will be included in the January 2019 release of the Field Manual.
C-13247
Informational Circular, Revisions to Field Manual, Rule 37, Wear Gage Images
Issued: November 19, 2018
Effective: January 2019 release of the Field Manual
At the September 2018 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal as advanced by the WABL Committee to revise Field Manual Rule 37 to update wear gage images, was reviewed and approved. The text of the addition is included in the circular. The changes will be included in the January 2019 release of the Field Manual.
C-13248
Informational Circular, Revisions to Office Manual Rule 112.E.1
Issued: November 26, 2018
Effective: January 2019 release of the Field Manual
This is a reminder that effective January 1, 2019, the initial invoicing of car repairs for Detail Sources BR and GB must be billed within six months from the date of repair. Further, error code 2T will become a mandatory reject in the AAR Car Repair Billing Data Exchange. Notice of this change was first issued in C‐13134.
It is recommended that this information be shared with all Car Repair Billing and IT personnel in your company that work with or are responsible for car repair invoices submitted to and/or received from Railinc’s Data Exchange.
C-13249
Informational Circular,Changes to Office Manual Appendix H – Listing of Running Repair Agents
Issued: November 26, 2018
Effective immediately, please use the following link to access the listing of Running Repair Agents: https://www.railinc.com/findusrail.
The intent of this circular letter is to inform subscribers of upcoming changes to Appendix H of the AAR Office Manual. Appendix H provides a listing of current Running Repair Agent and Sponsoring Railroad details. This listing is now available in a real‐time, downloadable CSV format within Railinc’s FindUs.Rail application. The format is slightly different than Appendix H to allow for the inclusion of Sponsoring Railroad Mark and the ability to sort. Users will also have access to a historical version that displays previously expired sponsorship details.
Appendix H will continue to be updated and included in the Office Manual through the April 1, 2019 release of the Office Manual.
For the July 1, 2019 release, the list of Running Repair Agents will be removed and replaced with a statement indicating that the list of Running Repair Agents may be found at https://www.railinc.com/findusrail.
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.