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-14500
MSRP Section S, CASTING DETAILS, Specification M-214, Side Frames and Bolsters, Used and Reconditioned
Issued: January 9, 2025
Effective: January 9, 2025
The purpose of this circular letter is to notify the industry of revisions to Section S, CASTING DETAILS, Specification M-214, Side Frames and Bolsters, Used and Reconditioned – Classification and Repair Procedure.
Revised M-214, attached to the circular, is now implemented and effective immediately.
C-14501
Creation of S-6101A and Revisions to MSRP F, Sensors, S-6101
Issued: January 13, 2025
Effective: January 13, 2025
This implementation circular is being released to the industry for revisions to the AAR’s Manual of Standards & Recommended Practices (MSRP) Section F – Sensors / Detector Calibration & Validation Requirements. The new document is assigned as S-6101A Detector Validation Table and the initial version, attached to the circular, contains the following information:
- Acoustic Bearing Detector (ABD)
- Wheel Impact Load Detector (WILD)
Table 5.1 in S-6101 has been removed and any future updates to the list of validated hardware and software configurations of ABDs, as well as additional wayside technologies that are determined valid for the creation of shared industry alerts will be published in S-6101A.
C-14502
MSRP Section S, CASTING DETAILS, Specification M-214, Side Frames and Bolsters, Used and Reconditioned
Issued: January 22, 2025
Effective: January 22, 2025
The purpose of this circular letter is to notify the industry of revisions to Section S, CASTING DETAILS, Specification M-214, Side Frames and Bolsters, Used and Reconditioned – Classification and Repair Procedure. On January 9, 2025, Circular Letter C-14500 was issued to implement the revisions to M-214. Subsequently, CSTCC received an additional comment that Paragraph 6.5 still mentioned “47 years.” Paragraph 6.5 is being updated to read as follows: “6.5 ICL plate and stamps must not be applied to castings under 45 years old by date cast.”
Revised M-214, attached, is now implemented and effective immediately.
C-14504
MSRP Section C, CAR CONSTRUCTION FUNDAMENTALS AND DETAILS, Standard S-2044
Issued: January 29, 2025
Effective: January 29, 2025
The purpose of this circular letter is to notify the industry of editorial revisions to MSRP Section C, CAR CONSTRUCTION FUNDAMENTALS AND DETAILS, Standard S-2044, Safety Appliance Requirements for Freight Cars. The drawings in Appendix H1 (Safety Appliances for Enclosed Vehicle-Carrying Cars and Vehicle-Carrying Superstructures applied to Flatcars) were reformatted to better align with those in Appendix D1 (Safety Appliances for Flatcars with Full Decks). The updated Standard S-2044 is attached. Changes are reflected on pages 499-500.
Revised Standard S-2044 is now implemented and effective immediately.
Notice of Circulars
C-14503
AAR Field Manual Appendix D Update
Issued: January 27, 2025
Effective: January 27, 2025
Appendix D of the Association of American Railroads (AAR) Field Manual provides a listing of job codes and data elements utilized when performing repairs to Tank Cars and Covered Hopper Cars not included in standard AAR job codes. The purpose of these job codes is to provide uniform and accurate data reporting to the car owner for the purposes of estimating, billing, auditing, and analysis. Data may be sent through Railinc’s CRB Data Exchange, but job codes will have neither a material nor labor price associated with them. The utilization of these job codes is not mandatory per the AAR Interchange Rules. A link is provided in the circular.
Upcoming Event
AAR Quality Assurance Industry Conference | Phoenix, AZ | February 25–27
Greenbrier is proud to sponsor the 37th Annual AAR Quality Assurance Industry Conference! Join us to explore AAR auditing, enhance M-1003 knowledge and network with rail industry pros. Register Now.
Economic and Industry Update – January 2025
Watch the video.
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.
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-14495
AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-I Railway Electronics System Architecture and Concept of Operations, Standard S-9051.V1.0
Issued: December 17, 2024
Effective: December 17, 2024
S-9051.V1.0 ITC Onboard PTC Application (OPA) Requirements defines the subsystem requirements of the OPA implemented for the ITC PTC system. This document contains OPA requirements and describes them, to the extent needed, for interoperable functionality. This document has external content that shall be considered part of the document. The update frequency to the Standard and the external content is not the same and are therefore stored separately from this document
S-9051.V1.0 was Adopted in 2024 and is attached to this circular in PDF format. S-9051.V1.0 will be incorporated into the next issue of the MSRP Section K-I Railway Electronics System Architecture and Concept of Operations, in the interim, please insert the Circular in your copy of the MSRP Section K-I and be governed accordingly.
C-14494
AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Section K-I Railway Electronics System Architecture and Concept of Operations, Standard S-9070.V2.0
Issued: December 17, 2024
Effective: December 17, 2024
S-9070.V2.0 – ITC Human Machine Interface specifies the human-machine interface standards implemented for the Interoperable Train Control (ITC) Positive Train Control (PTC) system. The standard addresses the general layout of the crew operation screens, softkey labeling, and audible alerts. This document has external content that shall be considered part of the document. The update frequency to the Standard and the external content is not the same and are therefore stored separately from this document.
S-9070.V2.0 was last revised in 2024 and is attached to this circular in PDF format. S-9070.V2.0 will be incorporated into the next issue of the MSRP Section K-I Railway Electronics System Architecture and Concept of Operations, in the interim, please insert the Circular in your copy of the MSRP Section K-I and be governed accordingly.
C-14497
Revisions to MSRP Section N, Specification M-951, Portable Bridge Plates for Multi-Level Auto Rack Cars
Issued: December 18, 2024
Effective: December 18, 2024
The Specially Equipped Freight Car Committee has implemented revisions to Specification M-951, Appendix B, Offset from Center Portable Bridge Plates – Requirements. The Committee has changed the language in Section 2.1 and 3.1 to include both a 2″ and 4″ offset from center bridge plate. In addition, M-951, Section 8.5 was added to sunset the low-capacity bridge plate. See Circular for details.
The changes to MSRP Section N, Specification M-951 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-14498
Revisions to MSRP Section C, CAR CONSTRUCTION FUNDAMENTALS AND DETAILS, Standard S-2045, Remote Monitoring Equipment, revision of requirements
Issued: December 19, 2024
Effective: December 19, 2024
The purpose of this circular letter is to notify the industry of revisions to Section C, CAR CONSTRUCTION FUNDAMENTALS AND DETAILS, Standard S-2045, Remote Monitoring Equipment. See Circular for details.
Revised Standard S-2045, 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-14489
DRAFT S-9070.V2.0 ITC Human Machine Interface, in support of AAR’s MSRP – Section K-1 Railway Electronics System Architecture and Concepts of Operations
Issued: December 6, 2024
Effective: 7 days for comment.
The Positive Train Control Interoperability Committee (PTCIC) of the Association of the American Railroads (AAR) is publishing DRAFT S-9070.V2.0 ITC Human Machine Interface for review and comment. The ‘ITC Human Machine Interface Standard’ specifies the human-machine interface standards implemented for the Interoperable Train Control (ITC) Positive Train Control (PTC) system. The standard addresses the general layout of the crew operation screens, softkey labeling, and audible alerts. The standard does not include the underlying logic of the Onboard PTC Application (OPA) implementation.
In order to provide time for review and comments, this document will have a 7-day comment period. See Circular for more information.
C-14488
DRAFT S-9051.V1.0 ITC OPA Requirements, in support of AAR’s MSRP – Section K-1 Railway Electronics Systems Architecture and Concepts of Operations
Issued: December 6, 2024
Effective: 7 days for comment.
The Positive Train Control Interoperability Committee (PTCIC) of the Association of the American Railroads (AAR) is publishing DRAFT S-9051.V1.0 ITC OPA Requirements for review and comment. The OPA Standard defines the subsystem requirements of the Onboard PTC Application implemented for the ITC PTC system. This document contains OPA requirements and describes them, to the extent needed, for interoperable functionality. The standard does not include implementation-specific details.
In order to provide time for review and comments, this document will have a 7-day comment period. See Circular for more information.
C-14487
New addition to MSRP F, Sensors. S-6101A, Detector Validation Table
Issued: December 6, 2024
Effective: 30 days for comment.
The Equipment Health Monitoring Committee (EHMC) is requesting comment on a proposed new stand-alone document to serve as the central repository of all industry-approved detector validations across all detector types where the industry has agreed to share data. The goal is to simplify committee recordkeeping and provide a more user-friendly reference for the industry.
The new document will be assigned as S-6101A Detector Validation Table. See Circular for full details.
Notice of Circulars
C-14485
Revisions to Field & Office Manuals, Various Rules, Removing Stencil Verbiage
Issued: December 1, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
At the September 2024 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal as advanced by the Equipment Engineering Committee to revise various rules in the Field and Office Manuals to clean up references to stencils, was reviewed and approved. See Circular for the entire text of the revision.
C-14483
Revisions to Field Manual Rule 46
Issued: December 1, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
At the September 2024 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal as advanced by the Equipment Engineering Committee to revise Field Manual Rule 21, was reviewed and approved. See Circular for the entire text of the revision.
C-14486
2025 Field and Office Manuals of the AAR Interchange Rules – Preorder Available Now
Issued: December 2, 2024
Effective: December 2, 2024
The 2025 editions of the Field and Office Manuals of the AAR Interchange Rules are scheduled to be available beginning January 2, 2025. Manuals may now be preordered online at https://aarpublications.com/field-and-office-manuals.html.Orders will require a credit card for payment. Both the Field and Office Manuals are available in paper or in electronic format.
C-14490
Correction to the Office Manual Price Matrix Retroactive to July 1, 2024, Job Code 1463
Issued: December 6, 2024
Effective: July 1, 2024
After the issuance of the July 1, 2024 Price Matrix, it was called to our attention that the material pricing errors for Job Code 1463 were found and the correct pricing will be included in the upcoming January 1, 2025 AAR Office Manual Price Matrix & Price Master.
For all parties rendering bills from July 1, 2024 until December 31, 2024 for Job Code 1463, this is your authority to request counter billing from the car owner in the case of under recovery in accordance with AAR Office Manual Rule 112.D.2. Also, see Office Manual Rule 112.E.7 for CBA time limitations.
For ease of rendering counter bills, a chart is attached to the circular which reflects the current and corrected prices for Job Code 1463, as well as the amount for CBA.
C-14492
Car Repair Facility Labor Rate – Effective January 1, 2025
Issued: December 11, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
The Car Repair Facility Labor Rate effective January 1, 2025 is $170.81, a decrease of $1.15 (or 0.67%) from the labor rate estimated on October 1, 2024.
This will be reflected in the January 1, 2025 release of the AAR Office Manual.
C-14493
Canadian Car Repair Facility Labor Rate – Effective January 1, 2025
Issued: December 11, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
The Canadian Car Repair Billing Labor Rate calculation for January 1, 2025 is $248.60 CAD (Two hundred and forty-eight Canadian dollars and sixty cents), a decrease of eighty-five cents from the calculation for October 1. For comparison purposes, this converts to about $177.12 in U.S. dollars.
The change will be reflected in the January 1, 2025 release of the Canadian Price Master.
C-14491
Office Manual Rule 107, 2024 Cost Factor
Issued: December 11, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
The AAR Car Repair Billing Committee has approved the 2024 Cost Factor of 298 to be used in 2025, a 7.58% increase from 2023.
The new Cost Factor will be published in Rule 107 of the January 2025 Office Manual, and is effective January 1, 2025.
C-14499
January 2025 Field and Office Manuals, Summary of Comments and Implementation Details
Issued: December 23, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
In September, October and November 2024, several Circular Letters soliciting comments on the proposed rule changes were issued. In addition, several letters were issued that advised of approved changes that would become effective on January 1, 2025. See Circular for a recap of those letters seeking industry comment, an indication of comments received (if any), consideration and implementation details. Unless otherwise noted, the rule changes are for the Field Manual.
Accordingly, the various proposals with the changes noted stand approved and will be included in the January 2025 AAR Interchange Rule revisions.
Upcoming Event
2025 AAR Quality Assurance Industry Conference Update
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) is pleased to announce the following updates regarding the 2025 Quality Assurance Industry Conference. Conference website updates include:
- Conference Speakers
- Conference Agenda
- Conference Sponsorship Deadlines
- Workshop Information
- Early Registration and Social Networking Event
- Early-Bird Registration Deadline January 13, 2025
Please visit the website and save the conference link below for more information and regular updates:
Conference Overview – 37th Annual AAR Quality Assurance Industry Conference
SAVE THE DATE! MARS 2025 Winter Meeting
Greenbrier is a Proud Sponsor | Schaumburg, IL | January 14–16
Learn more: https://www.mwrailshippers.com/event/2025-winter-meeting/
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.