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-13657
IMPLEMENTATION AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-IV Office Architecture and Railroad Electronics Messaging, Standard S-9361.V3.0
Issued: October 14, 2020
Effective: October 14, 2020
Standard S-9361.V3.0 contains messages passed between the Positive Train Control (PTC) Office Segment and the Locomotive Segment, and messages passed between the Wayside Status Relay Service (WSRS) and the Locomotive Segment. S-9361.V3.0, attached to the circular, is implemented and effective immediately. It will be incorporated in the next issue of the MSRP, Section K-IV Office Architecture and Railroad Electronics Messaging. In the interim, please insert the Circular in your copy of the MSRP Section K-IV and be governed accordingly.
C-13658
Implementation of Revisions to Figures 54-A, 58-C, 88-C, 88-K, and 91 – Section 6 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: October 21, 2020
Effective: October 21, 2020
Revisions to Section 6, Figures 54-A, 58-C, 88-C, 88-K, and 91, are implemented and effective immediately, and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual. In the interim, please insert the circular attachments into your Section 6 copy and be governed accordingly. Carriers are asked to ensure that copies of this circular letter are distributed to all concerned shippers and railroad personnel for their attention and guidance.
C-13659
Implementation of Revision to Figure 27 from Section 5 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: October 21, 2020
Effective: October 21, 2020
Revisions to Section 5, Figure 27, is implemented and effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual. In the interim, please insert the circular attachments into your Section 5 copy and be governed accordingly. Carriers are asked to ensure that copies of this circular letter are distributed to all concerned shippers and railroad personnel for their attention and guidance.
C-13660
Implementation of Revision to General Rule 22 from Section 1 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: October 21, 2020
Effective: October 21, 2020
AAR issued a safety alert on June 29, 2020 via circular C-13605, regarding improperly secured tie-down cables on centerbeam cars. As this is ongoing and recurring non-compliance to rules established by AAR Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC), the committee approved to add the verbiage and photos from this safety alert to Section 1 OTLR in General Rule 22.4.3.
The rule states: “All cables must be properly secured per manufacturer’s recommendations prior to car movement. And carriers reserve the right to impose tariff charges for failure to comply with this rule.”
Revisions to Section 1, General Rule 22, is implemented and effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual. In the interim, please insert the circular attachments into your Section 1 copy and be governed accordingly. Carriers are asked to ensure that copies of this circular letter are distributed to all concerned shippers and railroad personnel for their attention and guidance
C-13662
Implementation of Revisions to Figures 55-D, 205, and 210 from Section 3 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: October 26, 2020
Effective: October 26, 2020
Revisions to Section 3, Figures 55-D, 205, and 210, are implemented and effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual. In the interim, please insert the circular attachments into your Section 3 copy and be governed accordingly. Carriers are asked to ensure that copies of this circular letter are distributed to all concerned shippers and railroad personnel for their attention and guidance.
C-13671
IMPLEMENTED. AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-VI Railway Data Management and Communications, Standard S-9502.V1.1
Issued: October 29, 2020
Effective: October 29, 2020
Standard S-9502.V1.1 provides a common track data exchange format for use between railroads in support of track data maintenance activities for interoperable PTC operations. The data exchange process and mechanism are dependent on arrangements between railroads exchanging information. The standard, attached to the circular, will be incorporated into the next issue of the MSRP, Section K-VI Railway Data Management and Communications. In the interim, please insert the Circular in your copy of the MSRP Section K-VI and be governed accordingly.
Call for Comment
C-13656
DRAFT Recommended Practice RP-9457.V2.0 – Positive Train Control Master Test Strategy (MTS), is available for review and comment. In support of AAR’s MSRP, Section K-V, Electronics Environmental Requirements & Systems Management
Issued: October 14, 2020
Effective: 10 days for comment
Positive Train Control system (PTC) master test strategy (MTS) provides a recommended practice for testing the PTC system. The MTS establishes a common approach and terminology for testing the PTC system for use among railroads and their vendors. It contains a high-level description of the testing processes and procedures, the management of defects encountered during the testing process, the various levels of testing, the criteria for entrance to and exit from each level of test, and the resource requirements of each level of testing.
Comments regarding the DRAFT may be submitted by using the Comment Form found on the SharePoint site and emailing the completed form to submitcomment@aar.org. The draft document and the Comment Form can be found on the RESC SharePoint site at:
C-13661
Solicitation of comments from the industry to determine best method of securing dunnage to nailable steel floors on equipped railcars that would be complaint with AAR OTLR’s
Issued: October 26, 2020
Effective: 30 days for comment
The AAR Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) has been tasked with the process of reaching out to the industry concerning the nailing of wood dunnage to rail cars that are equipped with nailable steel floors. There are currently (3) rules related to nailable steel floors from Section 1 (General Rule(s) 11.9.4, 15.3.1 and 15.3.2 [included in the text of the circular]). OTLR committee would like to know if you have any suggestion and/or experience with other methods of securing dunnage to the nailable steel floors on equipped rail cars that would be complaint with AAR OTLR’s.
Questions and/or comments should be directed to Mr. Rama Maram, Manager – AAR Open Top Loading Rules at TTCI via email at: rama_maram@aar.com or otlr@aar.com.
C-13670
Solicitation of Comments, Revisions to Field Manual, Rules 3 and 4
October 28, 2020
Issued: October 28, 2020
Effective: 30 days for comment
At the September 2020 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal as advanced by the Brakes Systems Committee to revise Field Manual Rule 4 to add a new Job Code for Empty/Load Sensor Arms. The text of the revision is identified in the circular.
C-13666
Solicitation of Comments, Revisions to Field Manual, Appendix B.E
Issued: October 28, 2020
Effective: 30 days for comment
At the September 2020 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal as advanced by the Specially Equipped Freight Car Committee to revise Field Manual Appendix B.E. The text of the revision is identified in the circular.
C-13664
Solicitation of Comments, Revisions to Field Manual, Rules 7, 9, 67 and 75
Issued: October 28, 2020
Effective: 30 days for comment
At the September 2020 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal as advanced by the Brakes Systems Committee to revise Field Manual Rules 7, 9, 67 and 75. The text of the revision is identified in the circular.
C-13665
Solicitation of Comments, Revisions to Field Manual, Rule 5
Issued: October 28, 2020
Effective: 30 days for comment
At the September 2020 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal as advanced by the Brake Systems Committee to revise Rule 5. The text of the revision is identified in the circular.
C-13663
Solicitation of Comments, Revisions to Field Manual, Rule 3.E.13
Issued: October 28, 2020
Effective: 30 days for comment
At the September 2020 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee a proposal as advanced by the Brakes Systems Committee to revise Field Manual Rule 3.E.13. The text of the revision is identified in the circular.
Notice of Circulars
C-13669
Informational Circular, Revisions to Field Manual, Rule 4
Issued: October 28, 2020
Effective: October 28, 2020
Field Manual Rule 4.F has been revised: Job Codes 1328 and 1330 have been blended to eliminate confusion with billing. The entire text of the revision is identified in the circular. These revisions will be included in the January 2021 release of the Field Manual.
C-13668
Informational Circular, Revisions to Field Manual, Rules 3, 9 and 83
Issued: October 28, 2020
Effective: October 28, 2020
Field Manual Rules 3, 9 and 83 have been revised. The entire text of the revision is identified below. These revisions will be included in the January 2021 release of the Field Manual.
C-13667
Informational Circular, Revisions to Field Manual, Rule 1
Issued: October 28, 2020
Effective: October 28, 2020
Field Manual Rule 1 has been revised. The entire text of the revision is identified below. These revisions will be included in the January 2021 release of the Field Manual.
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.
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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.