Private and Foreign Marked Car Policies

The following information outline policies concerning private- and foreign-marked equipment used when UP is the originating carrier. These policies follow the Official Railway Equipment Register and AAR Interchange Rules. Information for ordering a copy is available from 1-888-215-6084 or customerservice@cbizmedia.com.

Requests to Supply Private or Foreign Marked Equipment

1. Private Equipment
Under AAR Circular OT-57, prior to loading private cars, private cars must be registered in the OT-57 system as described on Railinc’s website. The Controlling Entity (rail car owner or lessee) is responsible for registering the cars within the Loading Authority OT-57 system. After the private cars are registered, cars can be used by the car controller or controlling entity (rail car owner or lessee) for loads on any North American rail network.

  • The car controller or controlling entity (railcar owner or lessee) must register private cars with the Railinc OT-57 system.
  • Union Pacific may require customers to store their private cars or move them offline at the customer's expense.
  • Cars not moved within the five day schedule as outlined in OT-57 will be repositioned by Union Pacific at the Customer’s expense as outlined in UPRR 4703, Item 1100.
  • Private cars require a contact and storage location to be provided as part of the registration process on Railinc’s onboarding application.
  • If private marked cars have a load capacity of 286,000 pounds Gross Weight on Rail (GWR), they must be equipped with constant contact side bearings and up-to-date on scheduled maintenance (see Mechanical and Engineering Requirements below).

2. Foreign Marked Equipment (i.e. equipment bearing reporting marks of a railroad that is not controlled by Union Pacific)

  • Prior to entering into any arrangement to acquire foreign marked equipment, discuss the opportunity with your UP representative.
  • Union Pacific is not required to use foreign marked cars. In the absence of an agreement with a customer to use foreign marked cars, Union Pacific may refuse to place foreign marked cars for loading and may return them to the railroad whose marks appear on the cars.
  • If the cars have the railroad's marks, request for their assignment should be under the provisions of Car Service Rule 16. Make that request via your Union Pacific Equipment Distribution Representative.
  • See additional information on Car Service Rule 16.

3. OT-57 Registration

  • OT-57 registered private equipment can be created and submitted via the Railinc website.

Mechanical Requirements

  1. Cars must comply with and be maintained, by the owner, per the AAR Office Manual and all AAR Field Manual Rules. All AAR Field Manual Rules, Sections A.1 and A.2 defects and obsolete/prohibited components, must be repaired or replaced prior to placement of the cars on the Railroad.
  2. Greater than 268,000 Pound Gross Rail Load Freight Cars of any Car Type must meet the following:
    1. Cars are approved by the AAR per Specification S-286 or
    2. Cars are approved by the AAR per Specification S-259 and the following is met: Cars must be equipped with constant contact side bearings, preferably long travel
    3. Cars must be registered with the proper Star Code
  3. Flat Cars of any Type and Capacity: Cars must be equipped with constant contact side bearings, preferably long travel.
  4. Outlet Gates - Covered Hoppers: Covered hoppers, regardless of gross rail load, must have outlet gates that seal completely. The sealing member must be maintained in good condition and not allow product to bypass the seals and leak onto the ground. All gates must be of a positive lock design, with security seal capability.
  5. Union Pacific Mechanical Department Contacts

Engineering Requirements

  1. System guidelines for car length and allowable GWR (gross weight on rail) that Union Pacific will use for traffic on lines that are rated at 134 tons (268K) (including all or portions of the Springfield, Joliet, Hiawatha, Angleton, Brownsville, and Nogales Subs, plus myriad minor subdivisions and industrial leads).
    1. 48'-8" or longer: maximum 134 ton (268K) GWR and as governed by Mechanical standards
    2. 44'-11.5" or longer but less than 48'-8": maximum 123 ton (246K) GWR
    3. 41'-10.5" or longer but less than 44'-11.5": maximum 115 ton (230K) GWR
    4. 38'-0" or longer but less than 41'-10.5": maximum 105 ton (210K) GWR
    5. 35'-0" or longer but less than 38'-0": maximum 96 ton (192K) GWR
    6. Less than 35'-0": individual clearance required
  2. System guidelines for car length and allowable GWR (gross weight on rail) that Union Pacific will use for traffic on lines that are rated for 158 ton (315K) or 143 ton (286K). Shipments exceeding these criteria may be permitted on certain Union Pacific routes where it is determined that there is minimal risk to bridges from the shorter heavy cars.
    1. 48'-8" or longer: maximum 143 ton (286K) GWR and as governed by Mechanical standards
    2. 44'-11.5" or longer but less than 48'-8": maximum 134 ton (268K) GWR
    3. 41'-10.5"or longer but less than 44'-11.5": maximum 123 ton (246K) GWR
    4. 38'-0" or longer but less than 41'-10.5": maximum 112 ton (224K) GWR
    5. 35'-0" or longer but less than 38'-0": maximum 103 ton (206K) GWR less than 35'-0": individual clearance required