The Greenbrier Companies Inc.
12/03/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/03/2024 09:45
AAR Circular Letter Summary – November 2024
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 [email protected] or call 719.584.0538.
Implementation Circulars
C-14453
Figures 21-H, 55-C, 91-B and Appendix A - Section 6 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: November 6, 2024
Effective: November 6, 2024
The AAR's Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) has approved the addition of Figures 21-H, 55-C, 91-B and Appendix A to Section 6 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR).
See circular for full details. The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual.
C-14455
Figures 55 and 55-A - Section 3 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: November 7, 2024
Effective: November 7, 2024
The AAR's Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) has approved revisions to Section 3 OTLR manual for Figures 55 and 55-A.
See circular for full details. The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual.
C-14456
Appendix D and Appendix F - Section 1 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: November 7, 2024
Effective: November 7, 2024
The AAR's Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) has approved revisions to Section 1 OTLR manual for Appendix D and Appendix F.
See circular for full details. The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual.
C-14454
General Rules 3, 21, 28, and 30 - Section 1 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: November 7, 2024
Effective: November 7, 2024
The AAR's Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) has approved revisions to Section 1 OTLR manual for General Rules 3, 21, 28, and 30.
See circular for full details. The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual.
C-14460
Figures 124-B, 124-C, 129 and 267 - Section 2 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR
Issued: November 13, 2024
Effective: November 13, 2024
The AAR's Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) has approved revisions to Section 2 OTLR manual for Figures 124-B, 124-C, 129 and 267.
See circular for full details. The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual.
C-14459
Figures 14-B, 105-C, 109 and 120 - Section 2 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
Issued: November 13, 2024
Effective: November 13, 2024
The AAR's Open Top Loading Rules Committee (OTLRC) has approved the following revisions to Section 2 OTLR manual for Figures 14-B, 105-C, 109 and 120.
See circular for full details. The implementation of these revisions is effective immediately and will be included in the next edition of the OTLR manual.
Call for Comment
C-14457
Revision to MSRP Section N, Specification M-951, Portable Bridge Plates for Multi-Level Auto Rack Cars
Issued: November 8, 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 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 proposed language and instructions for comments.
C-14481
Revisions to Field Manual, Appendix B, Chock Job Codes
Issued: November 18, 2024
Effective: 30 days for comment.
At the October 2024 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal as advanced by the Specially Equipped Freight Car Committee to revise Field Manual Appendix B chock Job Codes to align with chock sunset dates, was reviewed and approved.
See Circular for proposed language and instructions for comments.
Notice of Circulars
C-14458
Revisions to the Office Manual Price Matrix, Rule 73 Job Codes, Additional Hatch Cover Locations
Issued: November 12, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
At the September 2024 Car Repair Billing Committee meeting, the committee advanced a proposal to update the AAR Office Manual Price Matrix to increase the allowed amount of reportable hatch covers for single units from 4 locations to 7 locations. The following Rule 73 job codes are affected by this change:
- 4360 FIBERGLASS HATCH COVER TROUGH, 20 INCHES WIDE
- 4362 FIBERGLASS HATCH COVER TROUGH, 24 INCHES WIDE
- 4364 ALUMINUM HATCH COVER TROUGH, 20 INCHES WIDE
- 4366 ALUMINUM HATCH COVER TROUGH, 24 INCHES WIDE
These changes will be included in the January 1, 2025 release of the Office Manual.
C-14482
Revisions to Field Manual Rule 59
Issued: November 18, 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 59, was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revision is identified in the circular.
These changes will be included in the January 1, 2025 release of the Field Manual.
C-14480
Revisions to Field Manual, Appendix B, Chock Replacement Guidelines - REVISED TABLE
Issued: November 18, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
At the September 2024 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal as advanced by the Specially Equipped Freight Car Committee to revise Field Manual Appendix B.B, was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revision is identified in the circular.
These changes will be included in the January 1, 2025 release of the Field Manual.
C-14479
Revisions to Office Manual Rule 107.F
Issued: November 18, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
At the September 2024 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a request for interpretation resulted in a proposal to revise Office Manual Rule 107.F.4, for clarification, was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revision is identified in the circular.
These changes will be included in the January 1, 2025 release of the Office Manual.
C-14478
Revisions to Field Manual, Rule 90.B.5 Truck Components
Issued: November 18, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
At the September 2024 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal as advanced by the Coupling Systems and Truck Castings Committee to revise Field Manual Rule 90 to provide clarification on age criteria for side frames and bolsters, was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revision is identified in the circular.
These changes will be included in the January 1, 2025 release of the Field Manual.
C-14477
Revisions to Field and Office Manuals, Various Rules Related to Tank Cars
Issued: November 18, 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 and the Tank Car Committee to revise various Field and Office Manual Rules for general clean-up and to align with M-1002, was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revision is identified in the circular.
These changes will be included in the January 1, 2025 release of the Field and Office Manual.
C-14476
Revisions to Field Manual Rule 70.B
Issued: November 18, 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 70, was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revision is identified in the circular.
These changes will be included in the January 1, 2025 release of the Field Manual.
C-14475
Revisions to Field Manual, Rule 22, Lever Eye Clearance
Issued: November 18, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
At the September 2024 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal as advanced by the Coupling Systems and Truck Castings Committee to revise Field Manual Rule 22 to provide clarification around lever eye clearance, was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revision is identified in the circular.
These changes will be included in the January 1, 2025 release of the Field Manual.
C-14474
Revisions to Field Manual Rule 21.B, Correct Repair Chart Group S
Issued: November 18, 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. The entire text of the revision is identified in the circular.
These changes will be included in the January 1, 2025 release of the Field Manual.
C-14473
Revisions to Field Manual Rule 18.B, Figure 18.10
Issued: November 18, 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 18.B.13, Figure 18.10, was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revision is identified in the circular.
These changes will be included in the January 1, 2025 release of the Field Manual.
C-14472
Revisions to Field Manual, Rule 17.B Correct Repair Chart
Issued: November 18, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
At the September 2024 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal as advanced by the Coupling Systems and Truck Castings Committee to revise Field Manual Rule 17.B, was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revision is identified in the circular.
These changes will be included in the January 1, 2025 release of the Field Manual.
C-14471
Revisions to Field Manual, Rule 16.E
Issued: November 18, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
At the September 2024 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal as advanced by the Coupling Systems and Truck Castings Committee to revise Field Manual Rule 16.E to improve understanding of differences between cracks and hot tears, was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revision is identified in the circular.
These changes will be included in the January 1, 2025 release of the Field Manual.
C-14470
Revisions to Field Manual, Rule 16.E
Issued: November 18, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
At the September 2024 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal as advanced by the Coupling Systems and Truck Castings Committee to revise Field Manual Rule 16.E, was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revision is identified in the circular.
These changes will be included in the January 1, 2025 release of the Field Manual.
C-14469
Revisions to Field Manual Rule 13 and Rule 83
Issued: November 18, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
At the September 2024 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal as advanced by the Brake Systems Committee to revise Field Manual Rules 13 and 83, to clarify use of Why Made Code 1N versus Why Made Code 01, was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revision is identified in the circular.
These changes will be included in the January 1, 2025 release of the Field Manual.
C-14468
Revisions to Field Manual, Rules 16, 17, 18
Issued: November 18, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
At the September 2024 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal as advanced by the Coupling Systems and Truck Castings Committee to revise Field Manual Rules 16, 17 and 18, was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revision is identified in the circular.
These changes will be included in the January 1, 2025 release of the Field Manual.
C-14467
Revisions to Field Manual Rule 9
Issued: November 18, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
At the September 2024 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal as advanced by the Brake Systems Committee to editorially revise Field Manual Rule 9, was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revision is identified in the circular.
These changes will be included in the January 1, 2025 release of the Field Manual.
C-14466
Revisions to Revisions to Field Manual Rule 5.B, Hose Height on Rotary Couplers
Issued: November 18, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
At the September 2024 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal as advanced by the Brake Systems Committee to revise Field Manual Rule 5, to clarify usage of hose height adjustments on cars with rotary couplers, was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revision is identified in the circular.
These changes will be included in the January 1, 2025 release of the Field Manual.
C-14465
Revisions to Field Manual Rule 5.B
Issued: November 18, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
At the September 2024 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal as advanced by the Brake Systems Committee to revise Field Manual Rule 5.B, to revise the Correct Repair Chart for End Hoses for clarification, was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revision is identified in the circular.
These changes will be included in the January 1, 2025 release of the Field Manual.
C-14464
Revisions to Field Manual Rules 4 and 8
Issued: November 18, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
At the September 2024 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal as advanced by the Car Repair Committee to revise Field Manual Rules 4 and 8 to include items that were inadvertently left out of prior revisions, was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revision is identified in the circular.
These changes will be included in the January 1, 2025 release of the Field Manual.
C-14463
Revisions to Field Manual Rule 3.F
Issued: November 18, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
At the September 2024 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal as advanced by the Car Repair Committee to revise Field Manual Rule 3.F, was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revision is identified in the circular.
These changes will be included in the January 1, 2025 release of the Field Manual.
C-14462
Revisions to Field Manual Rule 3.E
Issued: November 18, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
At the September 2024 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal as advanced by the Brake Systems Committee to revise Field Manual Rule 3.E.22, was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revision is identified in the circular.
These changes will be included in the January 1, 2025 release of the Field Manual.
C-14461
Revisions to Field Manual Rules 1, 3 and 4, 4-Pressure Testing
Issued: November 18, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
At the September 2024 meeting of the Arbitration and Rules Committee, a proposal as advanced by the Brake Systems Committee to revise Field Manual Rules 1, 3 and 4 related to 4-pressure testing, was reviewed and approved. The entire text of the revision is identified in the circular.
These changes will be included in the January 1, 2025 release of the Field Manual.
CPC-1427
Recommended Railroad Operating Practices for Transportation of Hazardous Materials
Issued: November 22, 2024
Effective: November 22, 2024
The AAR's Hazmat Committee reviewed OT-55-R Appendix 1 / Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) and High-Level Radioactive Waste (HLRW). Based on definitions provided by PHMSA, the following HMRCs and Proper Shipping Names will be added:
- 4929149: Radioactive Material, Type B(M) Package
- 4929151: Radioactive Material, Type B(U) Package
C-14484
Car Repair Billing Data Exchange Schedule Effective January 1, 2025
Issued: November 27, 2024
Effective: January 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.
The AAR Car Repair Billing committee has implemented the proposal shared in AAR Circular Letter C-14341, issued on May 1, 2024, to modify the CRBDX Run Dates for 2025 and onward.
CRBDX Run Dates - Effective January 1, 2025:
- The inbound date for repair bills is scheduled for the second Railinc business day of each month.
- The production and outbound date for repair bills are scheduled for the next Railinc business day, the third Railinc business day of the next month.
- The CRBDX run date schedule will be announced and posted by Railinc in advance, including adjustments for holidays.
See Circular for full 2025 schedule.
These changes will be included in the January 1, 2025 release of the Field Manual.
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For inquiries about these summaries or any of our services, please reach out to: [email protected]
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