AAR Open Top Loading or Closed Car Rule Updates

For Solicitations of Comments for Revision:
In accordance with the requirements of AAR Rule 123, comments are herein solicited and should be sent with any additional attachments to:

Manager-AAR Loading Rules and Damage Prevention
TTCI
P.O. Box 11130
55500 DOT Road
Pueblo, CO 81001

Or send an email.

All comments received within 30 days from the date of the Circular Letter will be considered by the OTLR Committee prior to any action on the implementation of these changes.

Access More AAR Rules
All AAR open top loading and closed car loading standards are available online for free download.

As a courtesy, we are providing the following information to inform our customers about new AAR rule changes. For more information regarding AAR rule updates, please contact Brent Lichty, Senior Engineer - Shipment Quality. 

Implementation of Revisions

November 2019

  • Circular Letter: C-13438: Solicitaion of Comments: To include Longitudinal Lumber Pack (LLP) dunnage system to Figures 54 and 54-B, Lumber on Center A-Frame Flatcars with Cable Tie-downs - Section 5 (OTLR)
  • Circular Letter: C-13437: Implementation of Revisions to Figure 11-D: Logs and or Pulpwood, Unpeeled, Hardwood or Softwood on Bulkhead Flatcars, 50Ft. Or over, equipped with steel side stakes - Section 5 (OTLR)
  • Circular Letter: C-13436: Implementation of Revisions to Figures 14 and 14-A - Plate Steel - Section 2 (OTLR)
  • Circular Letter: C-13435: Implementation of Revisions to General Rule 1 - Inspection and Compliance and General Rule 2 - Required Clearances - Section 1 (OTLR)
  • Circular Letter: C-13430: Implementation of Revisions to Figure 141 - Track Panels on Specially Equipped Flatcars - Section 3 (OTLR)
  • Circular Letter: C-13429: Implementation of Circular 42-N, General Rules Covering Loading or Carload Shipments of Commodities in Closed Cars (DP&FC)

October 2019

  • Circular Letter: C-13428: Implementation of Revisions to General Rules 5, 17, 25, 43 and Appendix D - Section 1 (OTLR)
  • Circular Letter: C-13427: Implementation of Revisions to Figures 8-B, 9-F and 14-B - Section 2 (OTLR)
  • Circular Letter: C-13426: Implementation of Revisions to Figures 83 and 84 and NEW FIGURE 85 - Wheels, Mounted Railways, Single Layer or Two Layers High, Specially Equipped Flat Car - Section 2 (OTLR)
  • Circular Letter: C-13425: Implementation of Revisions to Figures 240, 244, 247, 260, 263, 267, 267-A, 285 and 298 - Section 2 (OTLR)
  • Circular Letter: C-13424: Implementation of Revisions to Figures 113 and 114 - Section 5 (OTLR)

 August 2019

  • Circular Letter: C-13393 
    • Implementation of Revision to General Rule 21 - Section 1 - GR 21.7.9 of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR)
       
  • Circular Letter: C-13392
    • Implementation of Revisions to Figure 25, Section 5 - Poles or Pilings, Untreated or Treated, with 1 1/4 In. x .044 In. High Tension Bands, Single or Double Piles - Bulkhead Flatcars, 50 Ft. Long or Over, with Cushioning Devices (OTLR)
    • Implementation of Revisions to Figure 27, Section 5 - Poles, Treated and Untreated, 35 Ft. and Longer, 62 Ft. and 70 Ft. Bulkhead Flatcars Equipped with a Minimum of Three Winches for 4 In. Polyester Web Straps and Six Pair of Steel Side Stakes (OTLR)
       
  • Circular Letter: C-13391
    • Implementation of Revisions to Figure 35, Section 5 - Panel Products, Uncoated, 6 Ft. Long and Over - Bulkhead Flats (OTLR)
    • Implementation of Revisions to Figure 37, Section 5 - Panel Products, Packaged 6 Ft. Long or Over, 40 In. Highr or Less - Center A-Frame Flatcars , with Cable Tie Downs (OTLR)
    • Implementation of Revisions to Figure 101-A, Section 5 - Gypsum Wallboard, Packages 8 Ft. Long or Over - Center A-Frame Flatcars, with Cable Tie Downs and Cushioned Underframe (OTLR)
    • Implementation of Revisions to Figure 101-B, Section 5 - Gypsum Wallboard, Packaged, Nominal Width 4 Ft., Uniform Length Package, Lengthwise or Crosswise, With Lumber or Pneumatic Dunnage Bag for Packout - Bulkhead Flatcars (OTLR)
    • Implementation of Revisions to Figure 112-A, Section 5 - Engineered-Wood Products, LVL, PSL and LSL Structural Beams and I-Joists, Packaged, 8 Ft. Long and Over - Bulkhead Flatcars, 48 Ft. and Over (OTLR)