May 10, 1990

Circular Letter
(c-7490)

Subject: Accelerated Phaseout of Plain Bearings

TO THE MEMBERS AND PRIVATE CAR OWNERS

File: GC-1463
TWBL-18C
(c-7490)

Gentlemen:

Circular Letter c-7437 issued on November 10, 1989 solicited the comments of interested parties regarding a proposed change in the effective date when all cars must be equipped with roller bearings.

In order to achieve an expedited enhancement of the overall performance characteristics of rolling stock operations in interchange service through an earlier prohibition of friction (plain) bearings, the following modifications to the Field and Office Manuals of the AAR interchange Rules are herein established by the Mechanical Division General Committee:

1. Revise Field Manual Rule 88, Section 9.b to read:
Effective January 1, 1994, all cars must be equipped with journal roller bearings and may not be equipped with friction (plain) bearings.

2. Revise Field Manual Rule 90, Section 7.b to read:
Effective January 1, 1994, all cars must be equipped with journal roller bearings and may not be equipped with friction (plain) bearings.

3. Similarly, revise Office Manual Rule 88.B. (Journal Roller Bearings) item 1.b and Rule 88.D (Journal Roller Bearings) item 2.

It is important to note that the previously adopted rules mandating the effective date of requirements applicable to all tank cars in hazardous materials service will remain unchanged, i.e., effective January 1, 1991 all such cars must be equipped with journal roller bearings.

On Behalf of the Arbitration and General Committees,

Leavitt A. Peterson