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-14333
AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-I Railway Electronics Systems Architecture and Concepts of Operations, Standard S-9008.V1.0
Issued: April 5, 2024
Effective: April 5, 2024
S-9008.V.1.0 outlines enhancements to the management and exchange of key material used for communication between a locomotive and the back office and the protection of key material used for communication between a locomotive and WIU. Standard S-9008.V.1.0 was Adopted in 2024 and is attached to this circular in PDF format. S-9008.V1.0 will be incorporated into the next issue of the MSRP Section K-I Railway Electronics Systems Architecture and Concepts of Operations. In the interim, please insert the Circular in your copy of the MSRP and be governed accordingly.
CPC-1423
Guidance for the Implementation of M-1002 Appendix W (CPC-1420)
Issued: April 5, 2024
Effective: April 5, 2024
The Tank Car Committee (TCC) provides the following guidance concerning the implementation of the revision to Appendix W of AAR MSRP C-III, Specifications for Tank Cars (M-1002) provided in CPC-1420.
The implementation of M-1002, Appendix W published in CPC-1420 will be enforced. Any audit performed will note any deviations from the published standard. Consideration will be given if the previous version of Appendix W is being referenced for up to 4 months after publication of this CPC. Response to findings determined to have resulted because the facilities program is transitioning to the revised Appendix W, should include a plan to complete of the transition to achieve full compliance.
CPC-1422
Implementation of M-1002 Appendix B
Issued: April 8, 2024
Effective: April 8, 2024
The Tank Car Committee (TCC) is implementing the following change to Appendix B of AAR MSRP C-III, Specifications for Tank Cars (M-1002). The revisions pertain to the following AAR Tank Car Committee Requirements: Proposed changes to facility certification requirements for activity codes A19, B78, C4A or C4M
Present: N/A
Amended: Appendix B 3.1.5.28 (new number to be determined)- A tank car facility with activity code A19, B78, C4A or C4M may have operations at more than one geographical location if;
- Located within a 15-mile radius of the activity code facilities station stencil address.
- Operating under a single station stencil for that activity code
- Using the same quality assurance program with a single production inspection and test plan for that activity.
- Managed under a common organizational structure.
- An auditor is able to observe all minimum demonstrations for that activity during a single audit.
- Each facility location must comply with MSRP Section J, M-1003 for a facility holding QA certification, requiring each facility to obtain M-1003 certification independently.
- Facilities seeking certification under this paragraph must submit a request to the TCC including the scope of work at each facility to the TCC and as part of each facilities certification package.
C-14334
Implementation Circular and Modification to Circular C-14331: Revisions to MSRP F, Sensors, S-6101 Detector Calibration & Validation Requirements / ABD Site Current Validations
Issued: April 9, 2024
Effective: April 9, 2024
The Equipment Health Monitoring Committee (EHMC) is issuing this circular to notify the industry of a modification to circular C-14331, sent on April 1, 2024. In C-14331, EHMC requested industry comments for changes to the following:
- Section 5.0 (ABD Site Current Validations)
- 1.3 – WABL Committee approved two new fault descriptors for RailBAM HW version 3.0, SW version 6.0.4. This change adds four new rows to the table.
- 2 – Insertion of “freight and passenger car” to specify the equipment being referenced more clearly.
Following release of C-14331, further EHMC action has resulted in the following change: For the WABL Committee-approved two new fault descriptors being added to section 5.1.3 (referenced above), this circular will serve to notify the industry of their implementation and addition to Table 5.1 in the subject section. The request for comments will be closed. No comments have been received since the original release of C-14331.
For the changes proposed for section 5.2, the request for industry comments remains active and unchanged. The comment period will expire per the original terms outlined in circular C-14331.
C-14336
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section C, CAR CONSTRUCTION FUNDAMENTALS AND DETAILS, Standard S-2043, Performance Specification for Trains Used to Carry High Level Radioactive Material. Assorted edits to requirements.
Issued: April 12, 2024
Effective: April 12, 2024
The purpose of this circular letter is to notify the industry of revisions to Section C, CAR CONSTRUCTION FUNDAMENTALS AND DETAILS, Standard S-2043, Performance Specification for Trains Used to Carry High Level Radioactive Material. On February 5, 2021, Circular Letter C-13748 was issued to solicit comments. Comments were received and considered by the AAR Equipment Engineering Committee (EEC). In addition to the changes described in Circular Letter C-13748, the following changes were made:
- Paragraph 4.1.8: The components of static load were clarified.
- Paragraph 4.5.4.2.3.1: Additional guidance was included on temperature cycling.
The following editorial changes were made throughout the document:
- “HLRW” was changed to “HLW”.
- “Passenger” was changed to “occupant” where possible.
- “Transportation Technology Center, Inc.” mentions were removed.
- References were corrected as necessary.
Standard S-2043 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-14335
IMPLEMENTED. Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-V Electronics Environmental Requirements and Systems Management, Standard S-9415.V1.0
Issued: April 12, 2024
Effective: April 12, 2024
S-9415.V1.0 describes the messages and requirements for updating certificates before they expire for interoperable services which require and an explicit trust model between partner railroads. Services which require an explicit trust model are critical components in the functioning of both ITC Systems Management operations and PTC Operations with the introduction of version 2 of the PTC Security Architecture (PSA-2).
Standard S-9415.V1.0 was Adopted in 2024 and is attached to this circular in PDF format. S-9415.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 and be governed accordingly.
C-14338
Implementation of Revisions to MSRP Section C, CAR CONSTRUCTION FUNDAMENTALS AND DETAILS, Standard S-2056, Clearance Plate Diagrams for Interchange Service: Plates H, K, and P
Issued: April 25, 2024
Effective: April 25, 2024
The purpose of this circular letter is to notify the industry of revisions to Section C, CAR CONSTRUCTION FUNDAMENTALS AND DETAILS, Standard S-2056, Clearance Plate Diagrams for Interchange Service. On August 7, 2023, Circular Letter C-14195 was issued to solicit comments relative to Plate H. No comments were received.
On February 22, 2024, Circular Letter C-14316 was issued to solicit comments relative to Plates H, K, and Proposed Plate P. Editorial comments were received, and the text in paragraph 8.3 has been updated to better describe the application of the second page of plate H.
Revised Standard S-2056, attached, 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.
Call for Comment
C-14331
Revisions to MSRP F, Sensors, S-6101, Detector Calibration and Validation Requirements | Acoustic Bearing Detector (ABD) Site Current Validations
Issued: April 1, 2024
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The Equipment Health Monitoring Committee (EHMC) jointly with the Wheels, Axles, Bearings & Lubrication (WABL) Committee is releasing this circular to solicit comments on the proposed modifications to the subject section within AAR’s Manual of Standards & Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section F – Sensors. The proposed modifications to this standard are:
- Section 5.0 (ABD Site Current Validations) – miscellaneous editorial corrections
- 1.3 – WABL Committee approved two new fault descriptors for RailBAM HW version 3.0, SW version 6.0.4. This change adds four new rows to the table.
- 2 – Insertion of “freight and passenger car” to specify the equipment being referenced more clearly.
C-14337
AAR Field Manual Appendix D, Information Request
Issued: April 22, 2024
Effective: 60 days for comment.
The purpose of this circular is to seek comments and suggestions on Appendix D.
Appendix D provides an expanded list of job codes and data used in the repairing and reporting of railcars that are not included in standard AAR Job Codes. It provides consistent information to car owners for estimating, billing, auditing, and analysis.
The Appendix D TAG is currently working on updating Appendix D and is asking the industry for any suggestions, comments or feedback on potential updates that can be made. If you or your company have any ideas for Appendix D or if there are any issues or areas of concern within the appendix, please send your comments to: info@rsiweb.org and reference Appendix D.
C-14339
Revision to MSRP Section N, Specification M-951, Portable Bridge Plates for Multi-Level Auto Rack Cars
Issued: April 26, 2024
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The Specially Equipped Freight Car Committee has proposed revisions to Specification M-951, Appendix B, Offset from Center Portable Bridge Plates – Requirements. The Commitee has changed the language in Section 3.1 to include both a 2″ and 4″ offset from center bridge plate.
The current language is: A 6 in. solid block arrow pointing in the direction of the offset must appear centered on the top and bottom surface of the plate along with a an “Outside” 4 in. stencil on the bottom surface. All stenciling must be in a contrasting color and maintain anti-skid requirements per M-951.
The proposed language: A 6 in. solid block arrow pointing in the direction of the offset must appear centered on the top and bottom surface of the plate along with a 2” or 4” stencil within 2” above or below the arrow identifying the offset with an “Outside” 4 in. stenciling on the bottom surface. All stenciling must be in a contrasting color and maintain anti-skid requirements per M-951.
Comments from interested parties are herewith solicited under the provisions of AAR Standard S-050. The complete specification is attached for review.
Notice of Circulars
C-14332
2024 AAR M-1003 Quality Assurance Auditor Training Class Schedule and Registrations
Issued: April 4, 2024
Effective: April 4, 2024
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) is pleased to announce an updated schedule for 2024 AAR M-1003 Quality Assurance Training classes. Use the applicable link for class registrations and hotel reservations. Interested parties are encouraged to enroll promptly as classes have limits and tend to fill quickly. Acceptance is based on a first come, first-serve basis.
Who Should Attend?
- Any individual requiring a working knowledge and understanding of newly revised M-1003 Specification
- Quality Professionals/Consultants
- Quality Managers, Supervisors, Inspectors
- Internal & Supplier/Vendor Auditors
- Organizations seeking to provide product for use in AAR Interchange
See circular for schedule and registration links.
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