Technical Committees

This committee is responsible for the development and publication of recommended practices and information relating to:

• Design and use of selected rail sections.
• Design and use of joint bars, bolts, washers, and nuts.
• Metallurgical specifications for rail steel and acceptance tests.
• Specifications for the manufacture and shipment of rail, joint bars, bolts, washers and nuts.
• Plant and field welding methods.
• Classification of secondhand rail.
• Rail testing, rail wear, grinding and friction modification.
• Maintenance of records relating to rail use and other data required to keep the membership fully informed regarding rail life and utilization.

Ballots

The following ballots have now been approved by the Board of Directors on November 2011. The material will be included in the next edition of the applicable AREMA publication, and will be available for sale. For information on purchasing publications, please contact B. Caruso at +1.301.459.3200.

Posted 11/03/11

• Ballot #04-11-01, Chapter 4, revised Section 2.1.6 Branding & Stamping
• Ballot #04-11-02, Chapter 4, NEW Section 4.8.11 Recommended Practices for Switch & Maintenance Grinding Applications

Sub-Committees and Current Assignments

Sub-Committee A: Recommendations for Further Investigation and Research.

Sub-Committee B: Revision of Manual.

Sub-Committee 1: Welding of Rail.

C4-2-94: Monitor current AAR research and American Welding Society recommended practices for methods to include in AREMA recommended practice. Ongoing assignment.

D1-1-02: Develop handling and shipping rail specification. Completion is scheduled for 2011.

Sub-Committee 2: Rolling of Rail.

Sub-Committee 3: Rail Statistics.

C3-1-76: Maintain statistics of rail usage in North America. Ongoing assignment.

Sub-Committee 5: Physical Testing & Measurements.

C5-1-78: Rail specification, research and development. Ongoing assignment.

Sub-Committee 6: Joint Bars Design and Testing.

D6-1-07: NATS request for investigation of new joint bar material. Completion is scheduled for 2011.

Sub-Committee 7: Report on Railwear, Grinding, Lubrication, and Other Tests at FAST.

C7-1-97: AAR liaison between activities within the AAR and TTCI and AREMA Committee 4: Monitors research for improving quality of rail and improving rail life through rail maintenance practices. Ongoing assignment.

Sub-Committee 8: Update Industry on Nondestructive Inspection of Rail in Mills, Welding Plants, and in Track.

Ad Hoc Committee: Assisting in Recommendations to the AAR/TTCI on Design and Operation of Defective Rail Section of the Test Track at Pueblo (RDTF). Ongoing assignment.

D8-2-07: Specifications on hand testing of welds. Completion is scheduled for 2011.

D8-1-08: Test car operator qualifications; adding in test equipment specific operator qualifications. Completion is scheduled for 2011.

Sub-Committee 9: Railwear, Grinding and Lubrication.

C9-01-08: Research and Survey Industry Best Practices. Ongoing assignment. Recommended practice for switch & crossing grinding has passed ballot.