AAR Circular Letter C-8287

November 21, 1994

CIRCULAR LETTER

(c-8287)

Subject: Implementation of AAR Standard S-259 For Freight Cars With 286,000 lb. Gross Rail Load

TO MEMBERS AND PRIVATE CAR OWNERS

File Number: CC-201.S92

AC-1901

One July 27, 1994, Circular Number D.V. 2205 presented Specification S-259 for letter ballot vote of the members. It noted that without application of uniform specifications, including identification of qualifying cars, problems could arise due to track/bridge limitations or operating restrictions. This Specification was developed to alleviate any concerns for mechanical problems within constraints for acceptance stipulated by the railroads. Commensurate with Letter Ballot results; AAR Standard S-259 has been approved by the Mechanical Management Committee for implementation. It requires car owner certification that such ownership cars meet all requirements of the Specification; and car owners must stencil all such cars with a load limit equating to 286,000 lb. gross rail load minus the lightweight.

In executing provisions of the S-259 Standard, various AAR Interchange Rules revisions convey specific reporting and stenciling requirements. Rule 70 details the stenciling requirements. Rule 91 stipulates that acceptance of 286,00 lb. GRL cars in interchange is not mandatory - - cars can only be operated under controlled interchange conditions, i.e., each railroad is to unilaterally register with AAR those particular track segments over which 286,000 lb. GRL cars will not be accepted. Rule 93 contains the UMLER reporting requirements. Complete details on UMLER registration procedures are contained in the current UMLER Specification Manual.

Car owners or 286,000 lb. GRL equipment are reminded that all requirements of AAR Standard S-259 and applicable Interchange Rules must be met in order to ensure a continuing safe and efficient interchange system.

The attached Standard, approved via Circular Number D.V. 2207, together with corresponding AAR Field and Office Manual Interchange Rules revisions, will become effective on January 1, 1995.

Sincerely,

Leavitt A. Peterson

Standard

S-259-94

Adopted 1994

Effective: January 1, 1994

1.0 GENERAL

Freight cars built under this specification are subject to all normal FRA regulations. Unless specifically addressed in this specification, all appropriate AAR Standards must be met in the design, building and operation of cars with a gross rail loads of 286,000 lbs.

2.0 SCOPE

The following specifications outline the requirements for operation in interchange for cars with a gross rail load of 286,000 lbs. However, acceptance of this equipment in interchange is not mandatory.

3.0 DEFINITION

This specification applies to 4-axle freight cars designed to carry a gross rail load of 286,000 lbs.

4.1 CARBODY

Design of the carbody (including the sides, ends and underframe unless otherwise noted) shall be based on a gross rail of 286,000 pounds. Where standard design loads are specified for 100-ton cars in AAR Specification M-1001, those loads multiplied by the factor 1.09 shall be applicable to the subject cars. When design loads are not specific to 100-ton cars, the existing specifications will govern unchanged. Examples of the latter are the 50,000 lb. Vertical coupler load of Section 1.2.6.3.2 and impact test coupler force of 1,250,000 lbs. In Section 1.2.6.3.3.1.

4.1.1 FATIGUE DESIGN

When applying fatigue design criteria to a 286,000 lb. Design, weight related REPOS loadings, such as center plate and side bearing loads shall be increased by a factor of 1.09. Longitudinal loads can be used without change.

4.2.1

Brake Systems must meet the braking ratios of S-401 adjusted for the 286,000 gross rail load.

The standard bearing size of 61/2" X 12" shall be used.

4.4 AXLES

Axles with machined grooves at the inboard seal wear ring / journal contact area shall not be used.

5. WHEELS

Wheels are to be 36 inch, curved-plate, class C.

6. DRAFT SYSTEM

4.6.1

All draft components must be Grade E steel.

4.6.2

Draft gears must conform with AAR M-901E, M-901G, or M-901H latest revision.

7. SPRINGS

Springs are AAR Standard D-5, 3-¹¹/₁₆" travel or D-7, 4-¼" travel in accordance with AAR Specification M-114, latest revision. Solid spring capacity per group must be 1-1/2 times static sprung loading at full rail loading.

8. TRUCKS

Trucks shall be standard 3-piece cast trucks. Design of the trucks generally should follow AAR Standard S-300, latest issue based on 6 ½" X 12" journal size, 5’10" wheelbase, and 36" diameter wheels. All the limiting nominal design dimensions for trucks contained in AAR Standard S-302 shall be adhered to. Castings shall meet the requirements of AAR Standards M-202, M-203 and M-210. The present test loads provided for axle loadings of 6 ½" X 12" journals shall be used for castings in 286,000 service.

9. STENCILING

Cars meeting the requirements of this specification are to be stenciled with a load limit which will equate to 286,000 GRL minus the lightweight. Owners of existing equipment may stencil with a load limit equating to 263,000 GRL or 286,000 GRL as they desire.

 

FIELD MANUAL OF THE AAR INTERCHANGE RULES

 

PRESENT

2. Correct Attention

3. Definitions

1. Load Limit – Maximum permissible weight that can be loaded into car. Calculated by deducting the lightweight of car from the total allowable weight on rail for applicable axle size shown below:

Journal Total Weight on Rail

Size (4 Axles Per Car)

(inches) (pounds) (kilograms)

1. When car owner chooses to reduce the Load Limit, a star

symbol (*) must be applied immediately to the left of the

"LD LMT" stenciling. This fixed Load Limit must only be

altered by car owners or with car owner’s permission.

3. Stenciling:

1. When lightweight and load limit are changed, all old lightweight and load limit numerals must be removed and painted over and new lightweight and load limit numerals applied. The legends "LD LMT" and "LT WT" must also be removed and painted over and re-stenciled when missing, incorrect or illegible.
2. In re-stenciling lightweight and load limit numerals and legends, stenciling on car for which single units of measurement (pounds) is standard, the car must be stenciled as follows:

(Figure to be inserted)

3. Cars are not to be stenciled in dual units of measurement (pounds and kilograms) unless standard to car. When stenciling in dual units is required, see Section L and the stencil plates in the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices for form and location of additional (metric) stenciling).
4. Lightweight and load limit stencils are required on tank cars and must be applied only by car owners or their authorized representatives.

PROPOSED

 

B. Correct Attention

3. Definitions

b. Load Limit – Maximum permissible weight that can be loaded into car. Calculated by deducting the lightweight of car from the total allowable weight on rail for applicable axle size shown below:

Journal Total Weight on Rail

Size (4 Axles Per Car)

(inches) (pounds) (kilograms)

(1) When car owner chooses to reduce the Load Limit, a star

symbol (*) must be applied immediately to the left of the

"LD LMT" stenciling. This fixed Load Limit must only be

altered by car owners or with car owner’s permission.

(2) Cars designed for 286,000 # gross rail load must meet the requirements of AAR S-259. For cars modified or built for gross rail loads of 264,000 – 286,000 lb., load limit stencil must be calculated as shown in 70.B.3.b. using applicable gross rail load for which the car is designed.

4. Stenciling:

a. When lightweight and load limit are changed, all old lightweight and load limit numerals must be removed and painted over and new lightweight and load limit numerals applied. The legends "LD LMT" and "LT WT" must also be removed and painted over and re-stenciled when missing, incorrect or illegible.

b. In re-stenciling lightweight and load limit numerals and legends, stenciling on car for which single units of measurement (pounds) is standard, the car must be stenciled as follows:

(Figure to be inserted)

1. Cars meeting the requirements of AAR Standard S-259 are to be stenciled with a load limit that will equate to 286,000 GRL minus the lightweight. Owners of existing equipment may stencil with a load limit equating to 263,000 GRL or 286,000 GRL as they desire.

Journal Total Weight on Rail

Size (4 Axles Per Car) (6 Axle Per Car)

(inches) (pounds) (pounds) Remarks

1. Cars restricted and/or prohibited in interchange service for mechanical reasons must be reported per Rule 93 in the Office Manual.
2. Cars lightweighted and stenciled must be reported per Rule 70 in the Field Manual and per Rule 93 in the Office Manual
3. Cars inspected and classified per Rule 1 in the Field Manual must be reported per Rule 93 in the Office Manual.
4. Cars equipped with AEI tags must be reported per Rule 63 in the Field Manual and Rule 93 in the Office Manual.

1. Cars restricted and/or prohibited in interchange service for mechanical reasons must be reported per Rule 93 in the Office Manual.
2. Cars lightweighted and stenciled must be reported per Rule 70 in the Field Manual and per Rule 93 in the Office Manual
3. Cars designed for 286,000 # Gross Rail Load must be so designated in the UMLER file as prescribed by the current UMLER Specification Manual and revisions thereto.
4. Cars inspected and classified per Rule 1 in the Field Manual must be reported per Rule 93 in the Office Manual.
5. Cars equipped with AEI tags must be reported per Rule 63 in the Field Manual and Rule 93 in the Office Manual.

2. Units rebuilt or modified for interchange service, which include any of the changes listed below, must have all structural members subject to increased stresses conform to AAR Specifications M-1001, Specifications for Design, Fabrication and Construction of Freight Cars, latest revision. Detailed supporting data, 18 copies, must be submitted to the Director – Freight Car Construction and Components, Mechanical Division, Association of American Railroads for approval by the Car Construction Committee.

1. Application of trucks of higher capacity.

2. Units rebuilt or modified or increased in gross rail load for interchange service, which include any of the changes listed below, must have all structural members subject to increased stresses conform to AAR Specifications M-1001, Specifications for Design, Fabrication and Construction of Freight Cars, latest revision. Cars with increased gross rail load must have solid spring group capacity increased to provide approximately 1.5 times static sprung load and comply with the braking ratios of S-401 adjusted for the intended gross rail load. Verification by a certified carbuilder that the design of the affected members conforms to M-1001 or detailed supporting data, 18 copies, must be submitted to the Director – Freight Car Construction and Components, Mechanical Division, Association of American Railroads for approval by the Car Engineering Committee.

1. Increasing gross rail load.

1. All car owners must report cars restricted and/or prohibited in interchange service for mechanical reasons to the Association of American Railroads UMLER Program within 15 days of the date on which the restriction or prohibition is established. The UMLER Specification Manual dated January 1, 1982, and subsequent revisions thereto, prescribes the method of reporting.
2. Car owners must report cars lightweighed and stenciled to the Association of American Railroads in the form prescribed by the current UMLER Specification Manual and revisions thereto. Time limits for reporting weights to the Association are as shown in Rule 70 of the Field Manual.
3. Car owner/agent/company applying AEI tags must report cars equipped with AEI tags in the form prescribed by the current UMLER Specification Manual and revisions thereto.
4. Inspecting road must report all empty General Service Box Cars, Equipped Box Cars and Refrigerator Cars classified to the Association of American Railroads in the form prescribed by the current TRAIN II^® User’s Guide and revisions thereto.
5. All tank cars must have Certificate of Construction number reported to the UMLER file when reporting mark is changed. If the car initial and number on the Certificate of Construction do not equal the seller car initial and number on Form 88-C-5-1 or 88-C-5-2, a letter of explanation must accompany the submission. If a Certificate of Construction is not available, furnish available background information to the Director Rules and Inspection, Mechanical Division.
6. Changes in tank car reporting marks and car numbers affect the validity of the Certificate of Construction and must be reported to the Secretary, Mechanical Division per AAR Specification M-1002. Exhibit R-1.

1. All car owners must report cars restricted and/or prohibited in interchange service for mechanical reasons to the Association of American Railroads UMLER Program within 15 days of the date on which the restriction or prohibition is established. The UMLER Specification Manual dated January 1, 1982, and subsequent revisions thereto, prescribes the method of reporting.
2. Cars designed for 286,000 # Gross Rail Load must be so designated in the UMLER file as prescribed by the current UMLER Specification Manual and revisions thereto.
3. Car owners must report cars lightweighed and stenciled to the Association of American Railroads in the form prescribed by the current UMLER Specification Manual and revisions thereto. Time limits for reporting weights to the Association are as shown in Rule 70 of the Field Manual.
4. Car owner/agent/company applying AEI tags must report cars equipped with AEI tags in the form prescribed by the current UMLER Specification Manual and revisions thereto.
5. Inspecting road must report all empty General Service Box Cars, Equipped Box Cars and Refrigerator Cars classified to the Association of American Railroads in the form prescribed by the current TRAIN II^® User’s Guide and revisions thereto.
6. All tank cars must have Certificate of Construction number reported to the UMLER file when reporting mark is changed. If the car initial and number on the Certificate of Construction do not equal the seller car initial and number on Form 88-C-5-1 or 88-C-5-2, a letter of explanation must accompany the submission. If a Certificate of Construction is not available, furnish available background information to the Director Rules and Inspection, Mechanical Division.
7. Changes in tank car reporting marks and car numbers affect the validity of the Certificate of Construction and must be reported to the Secretary, Mechanical Division per AAR Specification M-1002. Exhibit R-1.