June 29, 1990

Subject: Correction to Change 90-1 to Field Manual Rule 36, Secondhand Roller Bearings
To: Members and Private Car Owners

AC-1676
TWBL-18E
(c-7526)

Circular Number D.V. 2156 dated November 20, 1989 announced approval of the 1989 Letter Ballot proposal regarding the requirement that all journal roller bearings on wheelsets processed through AAR Certified wheelshops be new or reconditioned.

Subsequently, the Wheels, Axles, Bearings and Lubrication Committee established implementation plans to enact the approved Letter Ballot action; and the Arbitration Committee approved revisions to Field Manual Rule 36.

Change 90-1 to the Field Manual contained the essential rule changes. However, this circular letter extends authority to set back the effective date on Page 190 of the Field Manual from July 1, 1990 to October 1, 1990 and to correct the text of Section B, Paragraph 3 of Rule 36 to read as follows:

3. Effective October 1, 1990, all journal roller bearings on wheelsets applied to cars must be new or reconditioned. This does not however, prohibit the transfer (as defined in Section E) of wheelsets within a repair facility among cars of the same owner.

Further, paragraph 9 is added to Section E to state:

9. Transfer is the removal of a wheelset with no wheel, axle or bearing defects, inspection and handling of the roller bearings per Section A and reuse of the wheelset.

In addition, also effective October 1, 1990, Section F of Rule 36 is herewith modified to:

delete condition Code 2 from Section F.3. and the affected job codes in Section F.9.a.

The Pricing Program is being revised accordingly.

To enable a coordinated transition, effective August 1, 1990, wheelshops are prohibited from releasing wheelsets with secondhand roller bearings; and all references to secondhand bearings are being deleted from Section G, Part II of the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices.

When Change 90-2 to the Field Manual is published, it will formally incorporate the revisions described herein.

Sincerely,

Leavitt A. Peterson