OT-57 (Private Car Registration)

Please Note: Loading Authority OT-57 replaced the former private car registration process OT-5 effective Feb 1, 2020.

Private Equipment Guidelines

The following section contains guidelines and information for the use of privately-marked equipment where BNSF is the origination line-haul carrier.

1. Private rail equipment must meet the Association of American Railroads' (AAR's) Circular OT-5 for Rules Governing the Assignment of Reporting Marks and Mechanical Designations. Privately marked equipment must also be registered via the OT-57 process that is administered by Railinc. For more information, please visit Railinc's Loading Authority (OT-57) web site.
2. Private equipment controlling entities are required to manage the flow (pipeline) of empty equipment moving to BNSF origin line haul locations or connecting carrier serving locations to preserve network fluidity.
3. BNSF may require private equipment controlling entities to move equipment off-line at their expense to preserve network fluidity.
4. Private equipment is subject to charges for both equipment held for loading and unloading and equipment held for purposes other than loading or unloading.