DAMAGE PREVENTION AND LOADING SERVICES UPDATE

Transcription

1 DAMAGE PREVENTION AND LOADING SERVICES UPDATE SPRING 2018 Register today for the 126 th Annual DP& FC Conference, July 9-11 in beautiful Nashville, TN! Chairman s Welcome Friends and Colleagues, Kelly R. Smith Kansas City Southern Railway Chairman, DP & FC Committee I would like to extend an invitation to attend the 126th Annual Association of American Railroads Damage Prevention & Freight Claims Conference, July 9-11, 2018 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, TN. Nashville is the capital and most populous city in the state; located on the Cumberland River in northern Middle Tennessee. Famous for Country Music attractions such as the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Historical Ryman Auditorium, just to name a few. We are so pleased to be able to host our 2018 conference in the Country Music Capital of the World! This year, our Conference theme is As Partners We Embrace the Future. The topics in our business sessions will explore how we as an industry are responding to change and where we see ourselves as an industry in 5, 10, and 15 years. Our Keynote Speaker will be Brian Hancock, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Kansas City Southern Railway. Presentations and breakout sessions will feature many topics, including an overview of the rail environment, intermodal and open top challenges, paper loading methods and strategies, an automotive industry update. 1

2 The event will also provide many opportunities for networking among rail customers, suppliers, contractors, transportation companies, and short line railroads. This learning environment will provide opportunities to gain new knowledge about rail transportation and to share ideas for safe, damage-free freight transportation. Activities begin on Monday morning with a golf outing at the Gaylord Springs Golf Links located a few minutes from the hotel and resort (transportation provided). You can register online at Our welcome reception will take place Monday evening aboard the General Jackson Showboat for a dinner and cruise featuring natural and historical sites along the banks of the beautiful Cumberland River. The business program begins Tuesday morning and concludes Wednesday afternoon. On Tuesday evening, sponsoring vendors will host an entertaining and informative tradeshow of exhibits. Attendees and guests will learn about a vast array of products and methods designed to address today s shipping needs. Vendors and suppliers interested in participating should contact Pat Gibbs, MGM Marketing, at (800) or pgibbs@teammgm.com. A special rate of $189 per night has been arranged for conference attendees. You can reserve your room online at or by calling hotel reservations at (615) and asking for the AAR Damage Prevention & Freight Claims Conference room block to receive the discounted rate. As a note: the $189 rate is available for our conference group from Saturday July 7 through Saturday July 14, based on availability, for anyone who wants to extend their stay and further enjoy Nashville s hospitality. Cutoff date for the room block is Thursday, June 21. Registration for the 2018 Damage Prevention & Freight Claims conference may be made online at We are also offering a large group company discount: register five representatives from your company at the $600 rate, and additional registrants from the same company will be discounted to $500, if made prior to June 9. Looking forward to seeing you, Kelly R. Smith Kelly R. Smith Kansas City Southern Railway Chairman, Damage Prevention & Freight Claim Committee 2

3 DP&FC Committee Decisions At its most recent meeting, the Damage Prevention and Freight Claim Committee agreed to: Approve formation of Rules & Guidelines Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to expedite loading standards approval process Accept responsibility for approval of loading and securement hazardous material loading methods (GIB No. 2) Note: General Information Bulletin No. 2 is under revision as of this writing. Recent DPLS Publications General Information Series (GIS) Publications: in. Diameter Roll Paper in 50-ft. Cushioned Boxcars with 12-ft. Doors. (10/17) in. Diameter Roll Paper in 60-ft. Cushioned Boxcars with 16-ft. Double Doors. (12/17) in. Diameter Paperboard on End Using Rubber Mats (New Intermodal Loading Guide Method E-22). (1/18) in. Diameter Roll Paper in 50- ft. Cushioned Boxcars with up to 12-ft. Doors. (2/18) 777 Double Layer Loads of 76- to 55-Gallon Drums Secured with Ty-Gard DS Barriers in 20-ft. Containers (Intermodal Loading Guide Method B-9). (3/18) 778 Split Loads of 58-in. Diameter Roll Pulpboard on End Using Rubber Mats when Stowed in Trailers Having Large Metal Plates Approximately 9-ft. in Length at the Nose (Intermodal Loading Guide Method E-23). (3/18) 779 Double Layer Loads of Hazardous or Nonhazardous Materials Secured with Cordstrap Barriers in a 20-ft. Container (Intermodal Loading Guide Method I-4 HM, Cancels GIS 744). (4/18) 780 Hazardous or Nonhazardous Loads Secured with Cordstrap Barriers in 40-ft. Containers (Intermodal Loading Guide Method I-5 HM; Cancels GIS 745). (4/18)) 781 Wood Bins Braced by Disposable Inflatable Dunnage Bags and BIN-PAK or M-PAK Lengthwise Void Fillers. (4/18) 782 Plastic Intermediate Bulk Containers with Disposable Inflatable Dunnage Bags and Lengthwise Void Fillers Schoeller Allibert (CCLG Part 7, Section 6.2). (4/18) 783 Cased Goods Secured by Tuff Wrap D.I.D. Bags (Intermodal Loading Guide Method F-4 New). (4/18) Recently Completed Field Testing Note: All DP&LS testing is considered proprietary unless it has been initiated by the Damage Prevention & Freight Claim Committee (DP&FC). FL 06-17: Coil Aluminum Secured by Floor Anchored Straps Plus Supplemental Securement Logan Aluminum The purpose of this field test was to evaluate supplemental securement options for coiled metal loaded to the Closed Car Loading Guide, Part 9, Section 8, Floor Anchored Systems. The loading and securement method performed as intended. 3

4 Quality Lead Team for the Prevention of Damage to Paper (QLT) Update The QLT has been very busy over the past 6 months, having held two face-to-face meetings since our last update. The team s agenda has two main focus areas: roll families and riser use, but the group engages in discussion over a wide variety of paper shipping related topics. The next face-to-face meeting is scheduled for immediately following this year s Annual Conference, on Thursday, July 12 from 8-11:30am. And for the very first time, this meeting will be open to interested suppliers! Space is limited, so us at DPLS@aar.com no later than June 15 to reserve seats. Check the Conference Program for details. Recent Pneumatic Dunnage Verifications Product Performance Profile for Pneumatic Dunnage (PPPPD): Level of Date of Company Name Verificati General Description Verification on Atlas/CargoTuff Level 5 Polyethylene/Polypropylene 11/29/17 International Dunnage Level 5 Shanghai Dream-Mao packing Technology Co., Ltd. Stopak Level 1 Stopak Level 1 Stopak Level 4 Polyethylene/Polypropylene with Safe Lock Valve 3/13/18 Level 1 Polyethylene/Polypropylene 10/31/17 Polyethylene/Polypropylene with Jumbo/Striker Valve Polyethylene/Polypropylene with Jumbo/Striker Mid-Valve Polyethylene/Polypropylene with Jumbo/Striker Mid-Valve 10/10/17 1/8/18 2/20/18 Tianjin Zerpo Supply Co., Ltd. Level 2 Polyethylene/Polypropylene 3/13/18 For a complete listing of AAR Pneumatic Dunnage Verifications, visit: Open Top Loading Rules Committee Update The Open Top Loading Rules Committee continues its work on the Open Top Loading Rules Manuals by refining rules and figures, and creating and approving new loading methods for open top cars. Updates to the rules and figures are disseminated via the AAR Circular Letter system. As such, the users who do not subscribe can be unaware of the changes. This can present safety hazards and damage to commodities. An online Library for OTLR manuals was completed in April The Class 1 railroads have funded the cost and maintenance of this library. The website is live and available to the public free of charge and can be accessed at 4

5 Number Subject Date C Implementation of New Figure 48-I Section 6 AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR) C Solicitation of Comments to Require Pipe With Couplings, Sleeves, or Thread Protectors to be Staggered 100 Series Figures - Section 2 AAR Open Top C Implementation of Revisions to Figure 26 Section 5 AAR Open Top C Implementation of New Figure 36-B Section 6 AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR) C Implementation of Revisions to Section1 General Rules Open Top C Implementation of Revisions to Figure 43-K Section 2 AAR Open Top C Implementation of New Figure 48-H Section 6 AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR) C Implementation of Revisions to Figure 43-K Section 2 AAR Open Top C Implementation of Revisions to Figures 109 Section 2 AAR Open Top C Implementation of New Figure 43-Q Section 2 AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual (OTLR) C Implementation of Revisions to Figure 154-B Section 2 AAR Open Top C Implementation of Revisions to Figure 14-B Section 2 AAR Open Top C Implementation of Revisions to the 200 Series Figures Section 2 AAR Open Top C Implementation of Revisions to Figure 298 Section 2 AAR Open Top C Implementation of Revisions to Figure 40-A Section 2 AAR Open Top C Implementation of Revisions to Figures 128 and 128-A Section 2 AAR Open Top C Implementation of Revisions to Figure 101-A Section 5 AAR Open Top C Implementation of Revisions to Figure 1-B Section 6 AAR Open Top C Implementation of Revisions to Figure 87 Section 6 AAR Open Top C Implementation of Revisions to Figures 88-B and 88-F Section 6 AAR Open Top C Implementation of Revisions to Figure 114 Section 5 AAR Open Top C Implementation of Revisions to Figure 115 Section 5 AAR Open Top C Implementation of Archival of Figures 43-J, 43-L and 43-M Section 2 AAR Open Top C Implementation of Revisions to Figure 14-B Section 2 AAR Open Top 2/12/2018 2/12/2018 2/12/2018 2/12/2018 1/10/2018 1/10/2018 1/10/ /13/ /13/ /13/ /1/ /1/ /20/2017 5

6 Recent OTLR Approvals and Re-Approvals: Expiration Company Name Date (MM/YY) Titan Strapping Systems, LP 11/ Warehouse Supply, Inc. 11/ Dae Eun International, LLC 12/ Polychem Corporation 01/ Plast-O-Fine Industries/ A.R. Impex 01/ Carolina Strapping and Buckles Company 01/ Garibaldi S.A. 01/ Cyklop Brazil 02/ Cyklop Germany 02/ Allegheny Industrial Associates, Down River 02/ BM Strap Industria E Comercio De Plascticos Ltda 03/ Caristrap International, Inc. 03/ Maillis Strapping Systems 04/ OTLR Table Multi-Level Pooling Executive Committee (MPEC) The Multi-Level Pooling Executive Committee (MPEC) had its spring 2018 meeting last week in Herndon, VA. The meetings, including the Reload Steering Committee (RSC) meeting, the Automotive Logistics Executive Committee (ALEC) meeting, the MPEC meeting, and the joint ALEC/MPEC meeting, were all hosted by Volkswagen at their corporate offices. Report outs from all of the MPEC subcommittees and task forces were given. Committee updates are as follows: The Greenbrier Multi-Max end door. A subset of the Multi-Max multi-levels in the reload fleet have an issue with the tri-fold end door hinge assemblies. The door hinges can become cracked and fail which could lead to the multi-level end failing when opened. (See related article Inspection of Hinges.) Railroads are focusing on this issue to ensure that all affected multi-levels are inspected and repaired in short order. Following is a link to the AAR automotive industry web site, which contains additional information for proper inspection of Multi-Max end doors prior to opening: Updates and expansion at the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad (IHB). The IHB is truly an integral player with regard to the movement of both loaded and empty multi-levels through Chicago, IL and around the south end of Lake Michigan. IHB has purchased a training simulator for train engineers, and has started on a substantial number of capital projects to allow larger train lengths to be accepted and released though their switching yards, along with the development of additional infrastructure including bridges and upgraded switches. All designed to reduce transit time and increase train velocity. 6

7 WEB-Based Training Update TTCI Damage Prevention and Loading Services has teamed up with RCS Transportation LLC to develop vehicle handling training for the automotive railroad transportation industry. The training includes origin and destination vehicle handling, and will be available by end of May The completed destination vehicle handling web-based training program is scheduled to be rolled out prior to the Spring 2018 VEQ meeting with the full origin vehicle handling web-based program to follow shortly thereafter. This type of training has several inherent advantages over the current methods used to train personnel on the proper and safe loading/unloading of vehicles from multi-levels. The training is available anytime to train new employees, and can be used as a refresher course later. As policies and practices within the industry evolve, the training will continually be updated, making certain all employees and all origin and destination facilities have current training on all new developments and changes. SEFCC Committee Update Greenbrier Multi-Max End Doors MA-0167, EW-5315, EW-5318 and EW-5322 Greenbrier has requested industry assistance in replacing end door hinges on certain multi-level cars. AAR is issuing this Early Warning (EW) in order to expedite this effort. This EW is in addition to existing Maintenance Advisory MA-0167, which covers the same series of cars and calls for replacement of hinges when found cracked or broken, or when the opportunity readily presents itself. This EW is more aggressive in that all cars listed must have all hinges replaced regardless of the condition or convenience. Cars listed in this EW have been removed from MA In accordance with AAR Interchange Rule 125, this Early Warning is assigned Severity Code: 06 AAR Defined: Stop empty car; replace all 16 end door hinges; return car to service; report Activity Code MH. At multilevel unloading facility destination, inspect for cracked or broken end door hinges: - If any cracked or broken hinges are found, door shall not be opened until hinges are replaced. Replace all hinges; return car to service; report Activity Code MH. - If no hinges are found cracked or broken, car may be unloaded before repairs are made. Subsequent to unloading: Replace all hinges; return car to service; report Activity Code MH, or Contact the rack owner; send the car to a repair shop; report activity code ME. For any car listed on this advisory, and for which the facility in possession of the car does not have the capability to replace hinges, contact the rack owner, send the car to a repair shop, and report activity code ME. If car must be home shopped for repair, contact rack owner for disposition. Apply decal per Interchange Rule 80. Equipment This EW will eventually apply to most of the 1,275 auto racks included in MA-0167, other than those repaired under the MA. Five percent of the total (i.e., 65 cars) will initially be removed from the MA and added to this EW. As the end door hinges are replaced and once no more than 30 cars remain on this EW, 65 more cars will be added. This will be continued until all end door hinges are replaced. The following table includes the car initials and numbers included in this Advisory. For doors/racks that must be sent for repair, disposition must be requested through the Damaged and Defective Car Tracking system, based on the rack contact column in the table. 7

8 Rack Car Car No. No. Rack Contact Mark From To Cars Mark CSXT CTTX C BNSF CTTX BNSF KCS CTTX KCS BNSF CTTX UCRY CN TTGX GTW BNSF TTGX BNSF KCS TTGX KCS CSX TTGX B FEC TTGX G CP SOO SOO Inspection of Hinges Each corner of the car has four hinges supporting the end doors as shown in the larger photo below. The hinge base that is mounted to the car contains a bent bracket constructed with 5/16 material. This section of the hinge is susceptible to cracks or breaks. Refer to the two smaller photos below, both of which show a broken hinge base. All end door hinges must be inspected for cracks or breaks when at multilevel unloading facilities (before opening the doors for unloading): Broken Hinge at Top of Door Each corner of the car has four hinges supporting the end doors Broken Hinge at Bottom of Door 8

9 Repair Procedures Summary: Doors shall be closed or remain closed during the replacement of hinges. Hinges shall be replaced in this order on any given corner of the car: Broken hinges first, cracked hinges second, non-cracked hinges last. All repairs shall include replacement of all 16 hinges on the rack with GMO part number A OEM repair kits will be supplied by Greenbrier. Contact Mr. Roger Burgess at Greenbrier for the kits by at or by phone at Reporting Use the following Activity Codes according to action taken. MH Car repaired and returned to service. ME Car moving to repair shop. Quality Review Update Quality Reviews are a continuous improvement process, and we spend considerable time in tracking overall averages as well as individual question averages to identify areas that can be addressed through training and communication with field personnel. Over the past five quarters (first quarter 2017 through the first quarter of 2018), we have seen greater non-compliance of proper plates placed at the junction for loading and unloading operations QTR QTR QTR QTR st QTR Proper plates at junction 88.43% 75.00% 85.72% 81.48% 79.29% The following is the question from the Quality Review Scoring Procedures for review and discussion with facility personnel. Using the incorrect plates at the junction poses an extreme safety risk with the potential for injury to personnel or damage to customer vehicles. 4. Are proper length/capacity bridge plates utilized at multi-level junctions? Procedure: The placement of bridge plates at junctions must be observed. When 53-inch plates are used, the measurement is 38 inches to 46 inches. When 56-inch plates are used, the measurement is 41 inches to 49 inches. Long and short plates are not to be mixed together side-by-side on the same deck at junctions. At junctions measuring between 41 inches and 46 inches, short 53-inch bridge plates may be used on A deck, and long 56-inch bridge plates may be used on the upper decks. The measurement is taken from the back of the bridge plate support (barrel ring) of one car to the center of the innermost lower locking pinhole (for radial doors), or to the bottom door track (for panel type enclosures). Note that only junctions that vehicles will be driven through are to be counted (do not count split junctions where the multi-levels are unloaded in opposite directions). For loading docks, permanent ramps, and traverse ramps none of which have extendable bridge plates the measurement from the ramp/dock to the multi-level will be included as a junction. Do not mix regular bridge plates with high capacity bridge plates. Once the bridge plates have been attached, it becomes a scorable item. 9

10 Scoring: Number of multi-level junctions in compliance divided by the total number of junctions inspected as a percentage. Current QR Program and 1st Quarter Averages Origin Quality Review 1st Quarter Current Program Averages Overall Score 92.61% 92.81% Mechanical 90.09% 91.15% Transportation 94.67% 92.58% Mfr. Contractor 95.47% 95.38% Facility Procedures 92.86% 92.97% Destination Quality Reviews 1st Quarter Current Program Averages Overall Score 95.21% 95.94% Transportation 93.07% 93.71% End Drs./Decks/Plates 96.15% 94.75% Unloading 94.24% 96.67% Baying 97.69% 97.80% Facility Procedures 95.98% 95.56% Ramp Maintenance Loading and unloading ramps should have a mechanical inspection every morning prior to beginning work. However, a more in-depth mechanical inspection to check for loose bolts, especially on the ramp uprights and locking cam bearings, should be performed on at least a quarterly basis. Side view of a ramp with the arrows pointing to where the supports and uprights are bolted together. 10

11 Loose main upright bolt. End Door Condition: Roof-to-Door Interlocks (Radial End Door) While in the field performing Origin Quality Reviews, the question always arises about the scoring of roof-to-door interlocks on a radial end door. On a radial end door with a fully corrugated roof profile, the interlock must be completely removed from the roof and the door interlocks can be cut flush with the top of the end door or completely removed. On a radial end door with a corrugated roof profile with a solid steel end, the roof to door interlock must be completely removed or fully maintained. Here are some examples of scoring: Corrugated roof panel with solid steel ends must be fully removed or maintained. Photo (left) has roof interlock intact with door interlocks cut off. This is a defect for both doors, as both door interlocks must be maintained with the roof interlock in place. 11

12 Fully corrugated roof panel with an intact roof interlock. Note that the roof panel is cracking and potentially could break off and fall. These must be fully removed on all fully corrugated roof profiles. Corrugated roof with solid steel end with door interlocks worn more than 25%. These must be fully removed or maintained/ Interlocks with more than 25% wear have the potential of breaking off and falling. 12

13 Tom Feltault Director, DPLS O: C: Pat Breslin Sr. Mgr. Auto Damage Prevention O: David Hendrixon Manager Field Operations C: Travis Wolgram Manager, AAR Loading Rules O: C: Rama Krishna Maram Senior Engineer O: C: Miles Benitez Damage Prevention Specialist O: C: Craig Millbauer Damage Prevention Specialist C: TTCI s Mission: We provide our customers with highly effective and efficient railway research, testing, training, and technical support. In doing so, we stand by the following guiding principles: We believe integrity and respect are at the core of everything we do. We encourage personal growth, cultivate positive teams, and foster a family spirit. We never sacrifice safety or quality ever. Transportation Technology Center, Inc DOT Road Pueblo, CO