Change in AAR General Rules Covering Loading of Carload Shipments of Commodities in Closed Cars – Solicitation of comments until October 31, 2009

Effective January 1, 2010, AAR General Rules Covering Loading of Carload Shipments of Commodities in Closed Cars will change.  At this time, the AAR is providing advance notice and soliciting comments from customers on these upcoming changes:

• A review of Rule 5. Distribution of Weight - Crosswise of Car of Circular no. 42-J "General Rules Covering Loading of Carload Shipments of Commodities in Closed Cars" indicates that the current permissible maximum aggregate vacant crosswise space of 18 inches is excessive and potentially unsafe.
  
• Engineering studies and modelling indicate that the lateral forces created by load shift into vacant crosswise space greater than 6 inches has the potential to cause adverse mechanical conditions resulting in a derailment in transit causing major interruptions of rail operations.
  
• The Damage Prevention and Freight Claims (DP&FC) Committee is soliciting comments from the industry to determine any effects of reducing the permissible maximum aggregate vacant crosswise space from 18 inches to 6 inches in closed cars.  The planned effective date of this change is January 1, 2010.

Customers will be permitted to make comments until October 31, 2009.  These should be sent directly to Gary.Held@Railinc.com.