Severe flooding due to Hurricane Ida is causing massive damage throughout many US states.  In case you have freight cars that are affected by the flooding from the hurricane, we have reviewed the current AAR Field Manual (2021 with Change No. 21-1).  The attached document contains a reference to all Rules that govern submerged equipment.

Check out the latest RSI Quality Newsletter, featuring an article by AllTranstek's Gary Alderson:
​Upcoming Tank Car Specific Industry Changes and Dates to Know
Visit:
https://www.rsiweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/RSI-QA-Newsletter-2021-Q3.pdf

At AllTranstek, we keep our finger on the pulse of the rail industry so that we can keep you up to date with trends and new regulations we feel our customers should know about. That’s why we’re sending out this email: to keep you abreast of things you should know.

Earlier this year, the AAR published circular letter CPC-1375 which revised MSRP Section C-III, M-1002, Chapter 1 and Appendices A and D.

The AAR is starting a program to require service equipment to be entered into the Railinc Component Tracking program.  As part of entry into the program, an AAR Component Identification (CID) bar code label is created for each item which will be used to associate it to the tank car in Umler when it is installed on the tank car.   

Starting July 1st, all pressure relief valves being qualified (built or rebuilt) must be entered into the Railinc Component Tracking program.  Any PRV that was qualified before July is not required to be entered into the Railinc Component Tracking program.  However, if a PRV is not installed within 6 months from its qualified date, then it must be qualified again and entered into the Component Tracking program.

To prepare for the July 1st implementation date an AAR facility with activity codes C4a, C4m, or C5 must have their bar code label process approved by the AAR.  Recently published circular letter C-13824 revised standard S-920 in regard to the approval process.

For more information regarding this new requirement please contact AllTranstek at info@alltranstek.com.

As a valued industry colleague, we feel that it is important to keep you informed with the status of AllTranstek’s  Regulatory services by introducing Subcontractor and Supplier audits. The audit helps the tank car facility meet the certification requirements of AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, M-1002 & M-1003. Specification M-1003, Chapter 2, paragraph 2.9 requires a facility to:

• Determine for those subcontracted and purchased products an appropriate method of verifying that the products/services conform to specified requirements. Typical methods include but are not limited to the following:
  • Source inspection by facility.
  • Surveillance of subcontractor.
    
    

In addition, Specification M-1002, Appendix B, paragraph 3.4 states:

• ­­­For each subcontracted product, service, and/or equipment, the tank car facility must comply with Specification M-1003, Chapter 2, paragraph 2.9 by the following:
  • ­­­Evaluating and selecting each subcontractor.
  • Documenting the verification method and the results of each subcontractor assessment, including objective evidence.
    
    

The following locations have been tentatively scheduled for on-site audits but additional facilities can be added upon request:

• Victoria Mechanical Services (subcontracted calibration services)

• ChemValve (valve supplier)
  
  

The cost of our audits to each participant are as follows:

• $1,000 for Subcontractor Evaluation (includes completed report & Exhibit B-1)

• $1,000 for Supplier Assessment (includes completed report)
  ​

For more information please contact Dave Ronzani at ronzani@alltranstek.com and 219-670-3401
​

​Are you an AAR Certified facility or new facility preparing for your next AAR audit?  For Activity Code C6r, AAR auditors are required to witness a Modification Demonstration.  It can be difficult for your facility to have all the required documentation and components to demonstrate a C6r Modification.

To help the modification demonstration, AllTranstek has created a demonstration kit. The AllTranstek kit can be utilized on your valve test bench or as a stand-alone unit. 

In addition, AllTranstek can provide assistance for all your other M-1002 Activity Code demonstrations and your M-1003 QA audit requirements.  We can help you prepare by working through the same checklists that the AAR auditors will use.

​The C6r kit includes: 

• Old components
• New components
• Original Certificate of Construction (4-2)
• Revised Certificate of construction
• Owner’s permission
• Instructions

​Are you looking for more comprehensive railcar management?
​Reach out to AllTranstek and see how we can be a resource to your fleet.