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-12965
Implementation of New and Revised Definitions to the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section M; Standard S-5019 – LOCOMOTIVE DEFINITIONS
Issued: October 12, 2017
Effective: October 12, 2017
The revised AAR standard S-5019 (attached to the circular) is effective immediately. The revised S-5019 standard will be reflected in the next issue of Section M. In the interim please insert this circular in your copy of MSRP Section M and be governed accordingly.
C-12966
Implementation: Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section I – Intermodal Equipment Manual – M-935 – Standard Operating Procedures for Intermodal Securement
Issued: October 16, 2017
Effective: October 16, 2017
The M-935 standard (attached to the circular) will be included in the next issue of Section I. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-12976
Implementation of Appendix J Inspections and Maintenance, to be added to M-1004 Specification for Fuel Tenders
Issued: October 25, 2017
Effective: October 25, 2017
A full list of Section T specifications and Standards is included in the circular.
C-12974
Implementation of New Specification M-1006 PASSENGER EQUIPMENT PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION for MSRP Section M, LOCOMOTIVES AND LOCOMOTIVE INTERCHANGE EQUIPMENT
Issued: October 25, 2017
Effective: October 25, 2017
Sections 1-4 of the Specification are being implemented. The Task Force is continuing to develop Sections 5-8 of the Specification. Specification M-1006 is attached and is implemented effective immediately. The Specification will be incorporated in the next issues of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section M. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-12973
Implementation of revision to MSRP Section C Part II, Specification M-1001, DESIGN, FABRICATION, AND CONSTRUCTION OF FREIGHT CARS, Chapter 2 – General Data: Addition of Cooper Bridge Rating Criteria, and Clarification of Coupler Height.
Issued: October 25, 2017
Effective: October 25, 2017
The revised specification M-1001 Chapter 2, attached to the circular, is now implemented effective immediately. The revision will be incorporated in the next issue of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section C Part II. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-12971
Implementation of Editorial Revisions to MSRP Section C Part II, DESIGN, FABRICATION, AND CONSTRUCTION OF FREIGHT CARS, Specification M-1001, Chapter 1 Administrative Provisions, Edits Related to Standard S-2044 Safety Appliance Requirements
Issued: October 25, 2017
Effective: October 25, 2017
The revised Specification M-1001 Chapter 1, attached to the circular, is now implemented 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-12972
Implementation of Editorial Revisions to MSRP Section C, Car Construction Fundamentals and Details, S-219, S-220, S-2035, S-2038, S-2042, Edits Related to Standard S-2044 Safety Appliance Requirements for Freight Cars
Issued: October 25, 2017
Effective: October 25, 2017
Edits were made to bring the standards into agreement with Standard S-2044 Safety Appliance Requirements for Freight Cars. The revised standards (attached to the circular) are 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-12978
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section L – LETTERING AND MARKING OF CARS, Standard S-910 Lettering and Marking of Cars. Removal of Consolidated Stencil and max height for reporting marks and car number
Issued: October 27, 2017
Effective: October 27, 2017
The revised Standard S-910, attached to the circular, is now implemented and effective immediately.
C-12977
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section L – LETTERING AND MARKING OF CARS: Retiring of Recommended Practice RP-021, Equipment Identification and Warranty Administration
Issued: October 27, 2017
Effective: October 27, 2017
Recommended Practice RP-021, Equipment Identification and Warranty Administration is now retired 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.
C-12980
The 30th Annual AAR Quality Assurance Auditor and Industry Conference will be held the week of January 22, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Issued: October 31, 2017
Effective: N/A
The 30th Annual AAR Quality Assurance Auditor and Industry Conference will be held the week of January 22, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas. All details including sponsorship and class schedules are included in the circular.
Solicitation of Comments Circulars
C-12964
Solicitation of comments for revisions proposed for Section I, Standard M-931, Trailers for Intermodal Service
Issued: October 2, 2017
Effective: 30 days for comments
The proposed changes are identified in the attachment to the circular.
C-12963
Solicitation of comments – Archival of AAR MSRP Section I – Specification M-962 – Remanufacture of TOFC Trailers.
Issued: October 2, 2017
Effective: 30 days for comments
It was determined that Specification M-962 – Remanufacture of TOFC Trailers was largely outdated and that content contained therein could be covered with a number of editorial changes to M-931 – Trailers for Intermodal Service. As a result, the Intermodal Operations Committee has decided to archive Specification M-962.
C-12968
Solicitation for Comment, Revisions to Field Manual, Rule 90, Extend Side Frame and Bolster Life to 52 Years
Issued: October 20, 2017
Effective: 30 days for comments
During new car builds, truck casting production can precede the car built date by as much as two years, which means castings will reach 50 years prior to associated cars. This extension to the AAR 50 year limit for truck castings acknowledges the difference in production times and permits car owners to better manage assets. The entire text of the revision is identified in the circular letter.
C-12975
Solicitation of Comments for New Standard S-5028 Safety Appliances for Tank Car-Style Fuel Tenders
Issued: October 25, 2017
Effective: 30 days for comments
The resulting M-1004 Specification and accompanying standards apply to new natural gas fuel tenders to be qualified for free, unrestricted interchange in freight service. The AAR documents identify the tender’s structural design requirements, operating performance, crashworthiness, fuel interfaces needed to supply natural gas to dual-fuel locomotives, and interfaces needed to load the tender with fuel. The proposed Standard S-5028 is attached to the circular.
C-12970
Solicitation of Comments on proposed new Specification, MSRP Section D, TRUCKS AND TRUCK DETAILS, Specification M-980, Friction Wedge Performance for Railcars, Dynamic Wear Test
Issued: October 25, 2017
Effective: 30 days for comments
In order to comply with this specification, new wedge designs must be tested and approved by the Equipment Engineering Committee before being placed into interchange freight service. The Specification includes the design requirements for a test fixture required to conduct the test. A draft of proposed specification M-980 is attached to the circular.
C-12969
Solicitation of Comments for New Standard S-5030 Tender-Fill Control Cable (FC-20)
Issued: October 25, 2017
Effective: 30 days for comments
The resulting M-1004 Specification and accompanying standards apply to new natural gas fuel tenders to be qualified for free, unrestricted interchange in freight service. The AAR documents identify the tender’s structural design requirements, operating performance, crashworthiness, and fuel interfaces needed to supply natural gas to dual-fuel locomotives, and interfaces needed to load the tender with fuel.
C-12979
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section S, CASTING DETAILS, Specifications M-211 and M-215
Issued: October 30, 2017
Effective: October 30, 2017
A proposed change to M-215 that would require the letters “M215” to be placed on the casting near the “AAR” marking for M-215 approved components. Based on comments received the Coupling System and Truck Castings Committee (CSTCC) is expanding the scope of the proposed revisions to require the letters “M211” to be placed on the casting near the “AAR” marking for M-211 approved components. The proposed revisions are attached to the circular.
Notice Circulars
CPC-1330
Recommended Railroad Operating Practices for Transportation of Hazardous Materials
Issued: October 6, 2017
Effective: October 16, 2017
AAR’s Safety and Operations department revised appendices C. This is the only change to this version of OT-55. AAR Circular No. OT-55-P becomes effective October 16, 2017 and supersedes OT-55- P issued January 19, 2016. The revision and a link to the full document is included in the circular.
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.