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- 13417
Implementation of New Standard for MSRP Section M – LOCOMOTIVES AND LOCOMOTIVE INTERCHANGE EQUIPMENT, Standard S-5531 – REMOTE MONITORING EQUIPMENT, LOCOMOTIVE-INSTALLATION
Issued: October 2, 2019
Effective: October 2, 2019
S-5531 was developed by the Locomotive Committee (LC) to establish standards for approval, installation, identification and verification of remote monitoring equipment on locomotives. The standard, attached to the circular, is implemented and effective immediately. S-5531 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-13418
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section F, SENSORS, Standard S-920, AAR COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION (CID) BAR CODE STANDARD
Issued: October 11, 2019
Effective: October 11, 2019
Standard S-920, 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 F. Please update your library and be governed accordingly
C-13419
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section F, SENSORS, Standard S-6103, Wheel Profile Detector
Issued: October 15, 2019
Effective: October 15, 2019
Standard S-6103, 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 F. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13420
Implementation of Revision to MSRP Section J, M-1003 Specification for Quality Assurance
Issued: October 15, 2019
Effective: October 15, 2019 (Existing quality assurance programs must be in compliance with the 2019 issue of Specification M-1003 by April 15, 2020).
The revised Specification M-1003 is now implemented and effective immediately. Please update your library and be governed accordingly. AAR M-1003 Accredited Auditors will begin documenting adverse audit findings according to these new requirements beginning 6 months from the date of this Circular Letter. At that time, all existing quality assurance programs must be in compliance with the 2019 issue of Specification M-1003. This window is afforded to companies in order to make necessary adjustments to quality manuals and procedures.
The manual can be purchased online at www.aarpublications.com
C-13422
IMPLEMENTED. AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-I Railway Electronics Systems Architecture and Concepts of Operations, Standard S-9080.V1.0
Issued: October 17, 2019
Effective: October 17, 2019
S-9080.V1.0, attached to the circular, is now implemented and effective immediately. It will be incorporated in the next issue of the MSRP, Section K-I Railway Electronics Systems Architecture and Concepts of Operations. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13424
Implementation of Revisions to Figures 113 and 114 – Section 5 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: October 18, 2019
Effective: October 18, 2019
The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR’s manual. In the interim, please insert the circular attachment for Figures 113 and 114 in 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-13425
Implementation of Revisions to Figures 240, 244, 247, 260, 263, 267, 267-A, 285, and 298 – Section 2 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: October 18, 2019
Effective: October 18, 2019
The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR’s manual. In the interim, please insert the circular attachments for Figures 240, 244, 247, 260, 263, 267, 267-A, 285, and 298 in your Section 2 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-13426
Implementation of Revisions to Figures 83 and 84 and New Figure 85 – Section 2 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: October 18, 2019
Effective: October 18, 2019
The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR’s manual. In the interim, please insert the circular attachments for Figures 83 and 84 and New Figure 85 in your Section 2 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-13427
Implementation of Revisions to Figures 8-B, 9-F, and 14-B – Section 2 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: October 18, 2019
Effective: October 18, 2019
The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR’s manual. In the interim, please insert the circular attachments for Figures 8-B, 9-F, and 14-B in your Section 2 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-13428
Implementation of Revisions to General Rules 5, 17, 25, 43 and Appendix D – Section 1 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: October 18, 2019
Effective: October 18, 2019
The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR’s manual. In the interim, please insert the circular attachments for General Rules 5, 17, 25, 43 and Appendix D in 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-13429
Notice of Implementation of Circular No. 42-N, General Rules Covering Loading or Carload Shipments of Commodities in Closed Cars (DP&FC)
Issued: October 25, 2019
Effective: November 23, 2019
This revision to Circular 42, General Rules Covering Loading or Carload Shipments of Commodities in Closed Cars are now implemented and effective 30 days from this posting.
C-13430
Track Panels on Specially Equipped Flatcars. Implementation of Revisions to Figure 141 – Section 3 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: October 25, 2019
Effective: October 25, 2019
The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR’s manual. In the interim, please insert the circular attachment for Figure 141 in your Section 3 copy and be governed accordingly. Railroads are asked to ensure that copies of this circular letter are distributed to all concerned shippers and railroad personnel for their attention and guidance.
Call for Comment
C-13421
Solicitation of Comments for Revisions to MSRP Section H-II, ROLLER BEARING MANUAL, S-723, Secondhand Seal Wear Ring Parallel Requirement
Issued: October 17, 2019
Effective: 30 days for comment
A previous revision removed the visual inspection of seal wear rings, this revision has added back the visual inspection requirements. The proposed revision to S-723, attached to the circular, does not have costs associated with implementation.
C-13423
DRAFT Standard S-9101.V1.2 – Locomotive Electronics System Architecture, is available for review and comment. In support of AAR’s MSRP, Section K-II, Locomotive Electronics and Train Consist System Architecture
Issued: October 17, 2019
Effective: 30 days for comment
This document (attached to the circular), specifies an industry-standard architecture that defines the conventions for integrating electrical and electromechanical devices on board new road locomotives. It also provides guidance for retrofitting older locomotives and provides options for incorporating components that conform to MSRP Section M, Specification M-590, “Locomotive Electronics System Architecture.”
C-13431
Solicitation for Comment, Update to Car Repair Billing Canadian Price Master
Issued: October 29, 2019
Effective: 30 days for comment
The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) is proposing the continuation of the Canadian Price Master with an improved process that would more accurately reflect labor and material costs, allowing for better service to the Canadian railroads and car owners. The proposed changes address Labor Rate Calculation and Material Pricing. The targeted implementation date for the revision is January 1, 2020.
Notice of Circulars
CPC-1349
UTC Inspections Required
Issued: October 7, 2019
Effective: October 7, 2019
Union Tank Car Company has requested assistance in inspecting 110 tank cars. The tank cars are being inspected for 3″ McKenzie UNNR valves in hazmat service. This Early Warning is being issued to remove the 3″ McKenzie UNNR valves from tank cars in transportation. The listed cars are assigned Severity Code 03. The circular contains more information and a list of the cars.
Upcoming Events
Midwest Associate of Rail Shippers 2019 Winter Meeting– Lombard, Illinois
January 16-17, 2019
The Westin Lombard
The Greenbrier Companies will be attending the MARS 2019 Winter Meeting, we hope to see you there!
Details and materials can be found at: https://www.mwrailshippers.com/event/mars-winter-meeting-2/
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.