About AAR Circular Letters
Circular letter summaries are produced monthly by 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-14396
Implementation of Revision to MSRP Section N, Specification M-992, Designated Satellite Shop Repair for Multi-Level Auto Rack Cars
Issued: July 10, 2024
Effective: July 10, 2024
The document attachment that was sent with Circular Letter C-14290 in regards to the implementation of changes to M-992 was incorrect. The correct document that reflects the changes to Specification M-992, Section 2.1.3 – Rack Inspection and Repair. is attached. This revision pertains to removing tire guides from “A” deck of multi-level equipment.
Changes to MSRP Section N, Specification M-992 are now 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-14397
AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-V Electronics Environmental Requirements and Systems Management, Standard S-9420.V1.0
Issued: July 12, 2024
Effective: July 12, 2024
S-9420.V1.0 ITC Key Management Service provides an industry approved specification for Key Management Services (KMS). S-9420.V1.0 was Adopted in 2024 and is attached to this circular in PDF format. S-9420.V1.0 will be incorporated into the next issue of the MSRP Section K-V Electronics Environmental Requirements and Systems Management. In the interim, please insert the Circular in your copy of the MSRP Section K-V and be governed accordingly.
C-14398
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section C, CAR CONSTRUCTION FUNDAMENTALS AND DETAILS, New Standard “S-2057 Draft Arrangements, 24 5/8-in. Pocket”; retirement of S-239, S-243, and S-245; edits to S-236, S-238, S-270
Issued: July 18, 2024
Effective: July 18, 2024
The purpose of this circular letter is to notify the industry of revisions to Section C, CAR CONSTRUCTION FUNDAMENTALS AND DETAILS: Implementation of new standard “S-2057 Draft Arrangements, 24 5/8-in. Pocket”; retirement of S-239, S-243, and S-245; and edits to S-236, S-238, S-270.
Standards S-2057, S-236, S-238, and S-270 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 (and Section B for S-270). Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-14399
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section B FREIGHT CAR DRAFT COMPONENTS, Specification M-921H, Cushioning Devices, End-of-Car, General Requirements, addition of requirements for end-of-car cushioning devices. Updates to M-921B, C, D, E, F, and G
Issued: July 18, 2024
Effective: July 18, 2024
The purpose of this circular letter is to notify the industry of revisions to Section B FREIGHT CAR DRAFT COMPONENTS, Specification M-921H, Cushioning Devices, End-of-Car, General Requirements. Additional requirements for all hydraulic end-of-car (EOC) devices have been added relative to Marking, Identification Tags, Stamping, and Bar Code Labeling, and port configuration.
Specifications M-921H, M-921B, M-921C, M-921D, M-921E, M-921F, and M-921G are now implemented and effective immediately. These modifications will be incorporated in the next issue of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Section B. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-14401
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section S-I, CASTING DETAILS, Specification M-210, Side Frame and Bolsters AAR Approved – Purchase and Acceptance, regarding Audit Quality Task Force updates
Issued: July 26, 2024
Effective: July 26, 2024
The purpose of this circular letter is to notify the industry of revisions to Section S-I, CASTING DETAILS, Specification M-210, Side Frame and Bolsters AAR Approved – Purchase and Acceptance, regarding Audit Quality Task Force updates.
Specification M-210 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-I. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
C-14402
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section S-I, CASTING DETAILS, Specification M-203, Truck Side Frames Cast Steel – Design and Testing, regarding load range and use of stabilizing vertical preloads
Issued: July 26, 2024
Effective: July 26, 2024
The purpose of this circular letter is to notify the industry of revisions to Section S-I, CASTING DETAILS, Specification M-203, Truck Side Frames Cast Steel – Design and Testing. Additional guidance was added in regard to the vertical preloads allowed during testing.
M-203 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-I. Please update your library and be governed accordingly.
Call for Comment
C-14394
Revisions to Office Manual Rule 107, Exhibits II and IV
Issued: July 1, 2024
Effective: 30 days for comment.
At the April 2024 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal was advanced to revise Office Manual Rule 107 Exhibit II and IV, was reviewed and approved. The proposed revisions to Office Manual Rule 107 address the change in AAR Mandatory Retirement Age from 40 years to 50 years. See Circular for the entire text of the revision.
The targeted implementation date is October 1, 2024. Updates to the Damaged and Defective Car Tracking System (DDCT) related to the changes below will be effective for incidents created on or after October 1, 2024.
Notice of Circulars
C-14395
Cost Analysis and Implementation Timeline Revision, Office Manual, Rule 112.H.4, Billing Exceptions
Issued: July 1, 2024
Effective: July 1, 2025
IMPORTANT NOTE: It is recommended that this information be shared with all Car Repair Billing and IT personnel in your company that work with or are responsible for Car Repair Invoices submitted to and/or received from Railinc’s CRB Data Exchange.
This is a follow up to AAR Circular Letter C-14261 issued on November 6, 2023. At the April 2024 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, the committee approved a proposal advanced by the Car Repair Billing Committee to revise the implementation timeline for inclusion of a preferred billing exceptions format in the Office Manual. This proposal includes revisions to Office Manual Rule 112 contingent on implementation.
Based on comments received, the template has received minor revisions, and the timeline has been revised to remove the early optional implementation of paperless billing. The end date of full implementation is unchanged. The cost analysis for the rule change has been completed and is included in this Circular Letter.
Upcoming Event
Southwest Association of Rail Shippers (SWARS) 2024 Semi-Annual Meeting
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Greenbrier is a proud sponsor and exhibitor at the SWARS conference.
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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.