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-13204
IMPLEMENTED. AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-II Locomotive Electronics and Train Consist System Architecture, Locomotive Command and Control Module (LCCM) – Functional Requirements, Specification M-9155.V2.3
Issued: October 4, 2018
Effective: October 4, 2018
Specification M-9155 is limited in scope to the definition of LCCM functional requirements with an emphasis on receiving messages to command throttle and dynamic brake settings. Specification M-9155, V2.3 (attached to the circular) was Adopted May 2015. It will be incorporated in the next issue of the MSRP, Section K-II Locomotive Electronics and Train Consist System Architecture. In the interim, please insert the attachment to your copy of the MSRP Section K-II and be governed accordingly.
C-13205
IMPLEMENTED. AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-V Electronics Environmental Requirements and Systems Management, ITCSM Common Data Dictionary for Interoperable Train Control Standard S-9452.V2.0
Issued: October 8, 2018
Effective: October 8, 2018
Standard S-9452.V2.0 specifies all common data dictionary items. The purpose of the data dictionary is to provide an efficient mechanism to capture and relay asset information to the railroad back office. Standard S-9452.V2.0 was adopted in 2012 (attached to the circular). It will be incorporated in the next issue of the MSRP, Section K-V Electronics Environmental Requirements and Systems Management. In the interim, please insert the attachment to your copy of the MSRP Section K-V and be governed accordingly.
C-13209
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section C, CAR CONSTRUCTION FUNDAMENTALS AND DETAILS, Standard S-2044 Safety Appliance Requirements for Freight Cars. Addition of two new appendices.
Issued: October 8, 2018
Effective: October 8, 2018
The revisions include editorial changes to the base standard and appendices, as well as the addition of two appendices: Appendix – F4 Safety Appliances for Side-Dump Cars Appendix – J1 Safety Appliances for Rail-Compatible Vehicles. Revised Standard S-2044 (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-13210
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section N, Specification M-950, M950A, M970 and M-992
Issued: October 11, 2018
Effective: October 11, 2018
Implementation of revisions to MSRP Section N, Specifications M-950, M950A, M970 and M992 also include S-2044 Appendix H-1 which is the applicable standard for new racks and new applied racks. MSRP Section N, Specifications M-950, M-950A, M-970 and M-992 (attached to the circular) are implemented and effective immediately and will be incorporated in the next issue of MSRP Section N. In the interim, please insert the circular attachment into your copy of MSRP Section N and be governed accordingly.
C-13211
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section G, Wheels and Axles, M-107/M-208, Alternate Wheel Profile AAR-2A, Wheel Approval Process, and Class D Requirements
Issued: October 18, 2018
Effective: October 18, 2018
The purpose of this circular letter is to notify the industry of revisions to Section G, Wheels and Axles, M-107/M-208, the addition of alternate wheel profile AAR-2A, update to the wheel approval process, and update to Class D wheel requirements. Specification M-107/M-208 (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 G. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13212
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section H-II, ROLLER BEARING MANUAL, S-723 and S-725, Seal Wear Ring Marking, Secondhand Spacer Requirement, and Interchangeable Parts
Issued: October 18, 2018
Effective: October 18, 2018
The purpose of this circular letter is to notify the industry of revisions to Section H-II, ROLLER BEARING MANUAL, S-723 and S-725, revisions to maintain marking during reconditioning of seal wear rings, revision to parallel requirements of secondhand spacers, and update to interchangeable parts. Standards S-723 and S-725 are now implemented and effective immediately. These modifications will be incorporated in the next issue of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section H-II. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13213
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section G-II, WHEEL AND AXLE MANUAL, S-659, Wheel Storage, Mounting Entry Spike and Minor Anomaly Definitions
Issued: October 18, 2018
Effective: October 18, 2018
The purpose of this circular letter is to notify the industry of revisions to Section G-II, WHEEL AND AXLE MANUAL, S-659, revision to define minor anomalies and entry spike. Section 1.7.10 contains duplicate information found in 1.4.11 and is being removed. Standard S-659 is now implemented and effective immediately. This modification 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-13214
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section S-II, TRUCK DETAILS AND CASTING CODES, Standard S-392, Truck – Design Drawings, Update to Code Sheets and Drawings
Issued: October 24, 2018
Effective: October 24, 2018
Standard S-392 is now implemented and effective immediately. The file, attached to the circular, replaces S-392 in its entirety. This modification will be incorporated in the next issue of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section S-II. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13215
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section S-II, TRUCK DETAILS AND CASTING CODES, Standard S-304, Truck 38-In. Wheels – Design Dimensions, Regarding Updates to Drawings and Tables
Issued: October 24, 2018
Effective: October 24, 2018
Standard S-304 (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 S-II. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13216
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section S-II, TRUCK DETAILS AND CASTING CODES, Standard S-302, Truck 36-In. Wheels – Design Dimensions, Regarding Updates to Drawings and Tables
Issued: October 24, 2018
Effective: October 24, 2018
Standard S-302 (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 S-II. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13217
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section S-II, TRUCK DETAILS AND CASTING CODES, Standard S-301, Truck 33-In. Wheels – Design Dimensions, Regarding Updates to Drawings and Tables
Issued: October 24, 2018
Effective: October 24, 2018
Standard S-301 (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 S-II. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13218
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section S, CASTING DETAILS, Specifications M-211 and M-215 Regarding Casting Marks
Issued: October 24, 2018
Effective: October 24, 2018
Specifications M-211 and M-215 (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 S. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13219
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section S, CASTING DETAILS, Specification M-220, Casting Component Nondestructive Testing Requirements, Regarding Requalification Frequency
Issued: October 24, 2018
Effective: October 24, 2018
Specification M-220 (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 S. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
CPC-1338
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section C-III, Specification for Tank Cars (M-1002), Appendix B – Certification of Tank Car Facilities and associated Chapter 1 Definitions (Docket T91.2.4)
Issued: October 24, 2018
Effective: October 24, 2018
The effective date of implementation for the facility appeals process specified in Paragraph 4.5.1 of Appendix B is October 24, 2018.
The effective date of implementation for the remainder of Appendix B and the associated Chapter 1 definitions is January 1, 2020.
In the interim, facilities applying for initial certification shall continue to submit required documentation in accordance with current M-1002, Appendix B (11/2014) using the fillable exhibit forms found under CPC-1261 (Exhibit B-1), CPC-1275 (Exhibit B-3), and CPC-1276 (Exhibit B-3A). For existing facilities, the BOE auditors will use prescribed AAR audit forms to indicate tank car activity codes for which certification is being maintained. An AAR online application system is under development to replace these legacy processes prior to January 1, 2020 and industry will be notified of those details through the circular letter system.
For all M-1002 registered facilities, the application for initial M-1002 certification must be received at least six months in advance of the registration expiration date; and the facility must also obtain initial certification before registration expires (refer to CPC-1260).
Call for Comment
C-13206
DRAFT Standard S-9353 – Railroad Electronics Standards Committee (RESC) Data Dictionary, is available for review and comment. In support of AAR’s MSRP, Section K-IV, Office Architecture and Railroad Electronics Messaging
Issued: October 8, 2018
Effective: 30 days for comments
The Data Dictionary provides the following:
- A common source that can be used for interpreting the content of messages
- Reducing, and ideally eliminating, the duplication of different data elements that convey the same information
- Maximizing standardization
- Allowing for the use of self-describing messages that enable future extension of a message without negative impact on legacy consumers
SharePoint access can be found at www.railinc.com (http://www.railinc.com/). Individuals and organizations who have a company ID may access the SharePoint site directly.
C-13207
DRAFT Standard S-9558.V1.0 – Interoperable IP Network Address Allocations, is available for review and comment. In support of AAR’s MSRP, Section K-VI, Railway Data Management and Communications
Issued: October 8, 2018
Effective: 30 days for comments
DRAFT Standard S-9558.V1.0 describes the common IP address blocks reserved among the railroads participating in Positive Train Control (PTC). The purpose of this standard is to ensure that railroads are not using the same IP addressing elsewhere in the network for other communication purposes. SharePoint access can be found at www.railinc.com (http://www.railinc.com). Individuals and organizations who have a company ID may access the SharePoint site directly.
Notice Circulars
C-13203
On-line MSRP System Update – Section K Version
Issued: October 4, 2018
Effective: N/A
The AAR announces the availability of a12-month renewable license that will provide access to six Section K MSRPs (I-VI). Upon agreement and payment, the software can be used by any employee at all locations of your company. More information is provided in the circular.
C-13220
Registration Is Now Open For the 2019 AAR Quality Assurance Auditor and Industry Conference
Issued: October 29, 2018
Effective: N/A
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) is pleased to announce that the 31st Annual AAR Quality Assurance Auditor and Industry Conference will be January 22‐24, 2019 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside in New Orleans, Louisiana.
- Tuesday, January 22 – Open to all interested parties
- Wednesday, January 23 – Open to all interested parties
- Thursday, January 24 – Workshops open to conference attendees, closed session AAR QAC
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)
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