Handling Requirements for Submerged Air Brake Equipment and Roller Bearings

If case you have freight cars that are affected by the flooding from the hurricane, we have reviewed the current AAR Field Manual (2017 with Change No. 17-1), and the following items govern the inspection and repair of submerged equipment:

AAR Field Manual Rule 4 – AIR BRAKES AND PARTS
Section A Wear Limits, Gaging, Cause for Renewal
1. Condemnable at Any Time
c. Submerged (valvular components only)
Section E General Information
15. Submerged valvular components must be replaced. Submerged brake cylinders must be cleaned and other
submerged air brake components must be handled in accordance with Instruction Leaflet No. 2391, Sup.
1, Repair Track Maintenance-Freight Brake Equipments “AB” Type. Report Job Code 1116 for cleaning.

AAR Field Manual Rule 8 – AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTER
Section A Wear Limits, Gaging, Cause For Renewal or Attention
1. Condemnable at any time
d. Submerged
As a reminder – per Field Manual Rule 3, Chart A: a Single Car Air Brake Test is required when control valves are
replaced or slack adjusters are repaired or replaced.

AAR Field Manual Rule 36 – ROLLER BEARINGS
Section A Wear Limits, Gaging, Cause for Renewal
2. Damage from being submerged or from electrical arcing.
Section E General Information
1. Roller bearing equipped cars, submerged in flood or fire damaged, must have bearings reconditioned in
accordance with Section C. Car must not be sent home on own wheels with defect card applied.
AAR Field Manual Rule 95 – HANDLING AND/OR DELIVERING LINE RESPONSIBILITY
Section A Handling Line at Any Time
16. Submerged. Responsibility for roller bearings or air brake components is dictated in the applicable rule.

AAR Field Manual Rule 99 – CARS ON PRIVATE AND/OR NON-SUBSCRIBER TRACK
1. The non-subscriber or other than railroad subscriber is responsible, including cost of repair, for loss or
damage to cars in its possession.
a. Handling line is responsible for ensuring cars received from a nonsubscriber or other than a railroad
subscriber meet the Mechanical Requirements for Acceptance of the Field Manual of the AAR
Interchange Rules, Rule 88.
b. Handling line will ensure car mark owner receives a no charge car repair data record.

APPENDIX A – DEFINITIONS
Submerged: When any portion of a component has been under water.
If there are any questions, contact us at [email protected]