We are looking into acquiring a flat car for use in interchange service mainly for moving our fleet of non interchange rail equipment from site to site,as well as perhaps leasing the car out to other museums and private owners who are in the same boat. I am thinking that having our own car with permanently mounted rails and its own loading ramp would be preferable to ordering a system car and then having to install and remove the rails and tie downs each time we move a piece of equipment, but first I want to know what is involved with being a car owner.

I know that we would need our own reporting marks, and that there is a $525 fee to register the marks. I also know about the AEI tags. What else do we need to do beyond that? Are there yearly maintenance fees for the marks or registration?

Thanks.

Easier (& cheaper) to join RPCA and use an RPCX reporting mark. You'll need a set of AEI tags as well. Presumably you would have all the air brake work and similar items done at a certified car shop.

David Farlow

Any car that you intend to place in interchange service must be within age and currently listed in the equipment register (UMLER). If you acquire a car that is retired and removed from UMLER, it cannot be reintroduced to the railroad system. The buyer and seller must certify to the AAR that the car complies with AAR interchange Rule 88 mechanical standards. Cars built prior to 1974 have a 40-year life unless extended by an approved rebuild program. Cars built after 1974 have a 50-year life. Under certain circumstances, AAR will permit extended life up to 65 years.

Permanent modifications to a car such as adding rails and tie downs may require AAR approval.

AAR open top loading rules generally require that locomotives or rolling stock shipped on flat cars be removed from their trucks and placed on blocking to stabilize the load and lower the center of gravity. Any alternative must have the prior approval of the handling carriers.

As a car owner, you will be responsible for any repairs made to your equipment by handling line carriers at standard AAR labor rates. Any visit to the repair track will include billing for a single car air test unless one has been performed within the past 12 months. Per FRA part 232 regulations, only a "qualified person" can perform single car tests.

There is a yearly fee to maintain your UMLER registration.

Alan Maples
Everett Railroad