The Greenbrier Companies Inc.
05/03/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/03/2021 10:51
AAR Circular Letter Summary – April 2021
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 [email protected]or call 719.584.0538.
Implementation Circulars
C-13766
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section H, JOURNAL BEARINGS AND LUBRICATION, M-934 and S-703: Bearing Placement Requirement, Inner Ring (Cone) Marking, and Freight Cap Screws
Issued: April 5, 2021
Effective: April 5, 2021
M-934 and S-703 are now implemented and effective immediately. Changes include updating the bearing placement requirement during conditional approval and removing all non-interchange cap screws from the table. This modification will be incorporated in the next issue of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section H. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13765
IMPLEMENTED. AAR Manual of Standard and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-IV Office Architecture and Railroad Electronics Messaging, Standard S-9371.V3.0
Issued: April 5, 2021
Effective: April 5, 2021
Standard S-9371.V3.0, attached to the circular, contains the messages passed between a PTC onboard segment and an Energy Management (EM) system that operates on a locomotive. The PTC onboard segment connects to Energy Management as an EMP client, and Energy Management acts as an EMP server. S-9371.V3.0 will be incorporated into the next issue of the MSRP, Section K-IV Office Architecture and Railroad Electronics Messaging. In the interim, insert the attachments into your copy of the MSRP Section K-IV and be governed accordingly.
C-13767
Implementation of Revisions to Figures 124-A, 124-B, and 124-C - Section 2 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: April 7, 2021
Effective: April 7, 2021
The AAR's Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) has approved revisions (attached to the circular) to Section 2 OTLR manual for Figures 124-A, 124-B, and 124-C. The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual. In the interim, insert the attachments for the figures into 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-13768
Implementation of Revisions to Figures 14, 43-C, and 109 - Section 2 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: April 7, 2021
Effective: April 7, 2021
The AAR's Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) has approved revisions (attached to the circular) to Section 2 OTLR manual for Figures 14, 43-C, and 109. The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual. In the interim, insert the circular attachments for the Figures into 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-13769
Implementation of Revisions to Figures 9-B, 9-D, and 9-F - Section 2 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: April 7, 2021
Effective: April 7, 2021
The AAR's Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) has approved revisions (attached to the circular) to Section 2 OTLR manual for Figures 9-B, 9-D, and 9-F. The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual. In the interim, insert the circular attachments for the Figures into 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-13770
Implementation of Revisions to Figures 54 and 54-B - Section 5 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: April 7, 2021
Effective: April 7, 2021
The AAR's Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) has approved revisions (attached to the circular) to Section 5 OTLR manual for Figures 54 and 54-B. The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual. In the interim, insert the circular attachments for the Figures 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-13774
Implementation of Revision to the title of Section 7 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: April 13, 2021
Effective: April 13, 2021
The AAR's Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) has approved revisions (attached to the circular) to the title of Section 7 OTLR manual. The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual. In the interim, insert the circular attachments for the cover into your Section 7 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-13777
Implementation of Revisions to General Rules 19, 21, 22, and Appendix D - Section 1 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: April 13, 2021
Effective: April 13, 2021
The AAR's Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) has approved revisions (attached to the circular) to Section 1 OTLR manual for General Rules 19, 21, 22 and Appendix D. The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual. In the interim, 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-13781
IMPLEMENTED. AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section K-IV Office Architecture and Railroad Electronics Messaging, Standard S-9378.V1.0
Issued: April 22, 2021
Effective: April 22, 2021
Standard S-9378.V.1.0, attached to the circular, contains the SOAP over HTTPS messages exchanged between railroads' ticketing systems. The requirements for ITCTM are contained with Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP) Section K-I, Standard S-9058, 'Interoperable Train Control Ticket Management (ITCTM) Requirements and Use Cases', with the use cases and data flow. S-9378.V1.0 will be incorporated into the next issue of the MSRP, Section K-IV Office Architecture and Railroad Electronics Messaging. In the interim, insert the attachment into your copy of the MSRP Section K-IV and be governed accordingly.
C-13782
Implementation of Revisions to Figures 141, 142, 200, 202, 203, and 204 - Section 3 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: April 27, 2021
Effective: April 27, 2021
The AAR's Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) has approved revisions (attached to the circular) to Section 3 OTLR manual for Figures 141, 142, 200, 202, 203, and 204. The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual. In the interim, 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-13783
Implementation of Revisions to Figures 55, 55-A, 55-D, 66, and 76-A - Section 3 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: April 27, 2021
Effective: April 27, 2021
The AAR's Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) has approved revisions (attached to the circular) to Section 3 OTLR manual for Figures 55, 55-A, 55-D, 66, and 76-A. The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual. In the interim, 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-13784
Implementation of Revisions to Figures 1-B, 1-D, 15, 31 and 53 - Section 3 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: April 27, 2021
Effective: April 27, 2021
The AAR's Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) has approved revisions (attached to the circular) to Section 3 OTLR manual for Figures 1-B, 1-D, 15, 31 and 53. The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual. In the interim, 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-13785
Implementation of Revised MSRP Section H, Journal Bearings and Lubrication, 2021
Issued: April 29, 2021
Effective: April 29, 2021
The Association of American Railroads Wheels, Axles, Bearings, and Lubrication Committee (WABL) has announced a new edition (attached to the circular) of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section H, Journal Bearings and Lubrication. All previously implemented standards and specifications are included in this print of Section H. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-13786
Implementation of Revisions to Figures 300, 300-A, 301, 302, 420, 421, and 422 - Section 3 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: April 29, 2021
Effective: April 29, 2021
The AAR's Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) has approved revisions (attached to the circular) to Section 3 OTLR manual for Figures 300, 300-A, 301, 302, 420, 421, and 422. The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual. In the interim, 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-13787
Implementation of Revisions to Figures 246, 247, 248, 250, 251, and 260 - Section 3 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: April 29, 2021
Effective: April 29, 2021
The AAR's Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) has approved revisions (attached to the circular) to Section 3 OTLR manual for Figures 246, 247, 248, 250, 251, and 260. The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual. In the interim, 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-13788
Implementation of Revisions to Figures 205, 206, 206-A, 210, 230, and 239 - Section 3 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: April 29, 2021
Effective: April 29, 2021
The AAR's Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) has approved revisions (attached to the circular) to Section 3 OTLR manual for Figures 205, 206, 206-A, 210, 230, and 239. The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual. In the interim, 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.
Call for Comment
C-13771
Solicitation of Comments: Revisions to MSRP Section F, Sensors, Standard S-6101, Detector Calibration & Validation Requirements
Issued: April 8, 2021
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The proposed addition to this standard is a validation plan for newer Wheel Impact Load Detector (WILD) product offerings. The plan was developed by a joint taskforce comprised of members from each of the above-referenced AAR committees. The proposed additions to S-6101 are attached to the circular.
C-13773
Solicitation of Comments: Revisions to MSRP F, Sensors, S-920, Component Identification Bar Code Standard - Sections 12 (Axle Labels) & 13 (Bearing Labels)
Issued: April 12, 2021
Effective: 30 days for comment.
AAR's Wheel, Axle, Bearings and Lubrication (WABL) recently advanced modifications to the subject sections to add elements for axle dust guards and seal wear rings in the component identification labelling. The draft of Standard S-920 is attached to the circular.
C-13779
Solicitation for Comments - Revision to MSRP Section N, Specification M-991, Vehicle Door Edge Protection Systems for Multi-Level Auto Rack Cars
Issued: April 13, 2021
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The Specially Equipped Freight Car Committee has proposed a revision to Specification M-991, Section 5 that will add a Validation section to the Specification. This addition will ensure the correct placement of door edge protection for current model vehicles that are being shipped on multi-level auto racks. The draft of Section N is attached to the circular.
C-13778
Solicitation for Comments - Revision to MSRP Section N, Standard S-810, Field Impact and Over-the-Road Tests of Multi-Level Tie-Down Equipment and Methods
Issued: April 13, 2021
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The Specially Equipped Freight Car Committee has proposed a revision to Standard S-810, Section 6.1 that will add a minimum criteria for over the road testing of bi-level securement systems to include vehicles that weight a minimum of 5,500lbs. The proposed revision is attached to the circular.
C-13775
Solicitation of comments from the industry on Figure 120: PIPE, CONDUIT, OR TUBING, STEEL, 1/2 IN. TO 9 IN. O.D., 10 FT TO 45 FT LONG, BUNDLED-BULKHEAD FLATCARS, WITH CUSHIONING DEVICES - Section 2 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: April 13, 2021
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The AAR Open Top Loading Rules (OTLR) Committee has proposed the changes to Fig. 120 of Section 2 OTLR manual concerning chock blocks, down bands, and height of load requirements. The proposed revision is attached to the circular.
C-13776
Solicitation of comments from the industry requesting shipper input on Figure 22-D: BARS, STRUCTURAL SHAPES, STEEL, LOOSE OR PACKAGED, SINGLE OR MULTIPLE PILES-GONDOLAS - Section 2 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: April 13, 2021
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The committee is requesting minimum and maximum lengths of billets, in gondolas, shipped by rail. Carriers have experienced longitudinal load shifts causing end-to-end or side-to-side load imbalances and damage to railcars. Imbalanced loads are a serious safety concern and can cause or contribute to derailments. This information will be used to determine the maximum length of void space allowed per railcar with respect to length of products for single and multiple piles to prevent longitudinal imbalances. 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.
Notice of Circulars
C-13772
Correction to Office Manual Price Matrices Retroactive to January 1, 2020 - Revised 4/12/2021
Issued: April 9, 2021
Effective: April 9, 2021
This Circular Letter was originally published on April 9, 2021 with an incorrect subject line reading 'Correction to Office Manual Price Matrices Retroactive to July 1, 2020'. The subject line has been corrected to show 'Correction to Office Manual Price Matrices Retroactive to January 1, 2020.' Further, the original Circular did not include details regarding the Canadian Price Master. Please consult 'C-13772 CBA for JC 2055_CAN Price Master' (attached to the circular) for those details.
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: [email protected]
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.