The Conditionally Approved Component Tracking System (CACTUS) allows for committee managers to electronically process and manage conditionally approved components. Committee Managers are able to enter and manage the component data, as well as apply milestone criteria to components and assign them to a Special Handling Advisory in the Equipment Advisory System once those milestones have been met. 

Component Manufacturers also interface with the system and are able to track the conditionally approved components that are applied to active service railcars. They can track components that have CIDs and components that do not have CIDs. Manufacturers may also upload component data singularly, or in bulk via a Bulk Upload feature. If you are a manufacturer and would like to request a conditionally approved component mileage analysis report, contact the Railinc Customer Success Center at (877)-RAILINC or csc@railinc.com.

More on this page: 

CACTUS Value Diagram
FAQs
CACTUS Process Flow

CACTUS Value Diagram

The following diagram illustrates the value that CACTUS provides to the industry and the aspects that are capable within the application.

CACTUS Value Diagram

FAQs

What value does CACTUS provide to the industry?

Allows committees a standardized way to administer conditionally approved components, and allows visibility to manufacturers to check the status and milestones of their conditionally approved component.

As a manufacturer, how do I get a component conditionally approved?

Reach out to your committee representative or the AAR committee manager.

As a manufacturer, how can I obtain a copy of my conditionally approved component mileage tracking report?

Contact Railinc’s Customer Success Center at (877)-RAILINC or csc@railinc.com and ask for product code CACTUSRPT.

How does the industry know that equipment has a conditionally approved component currently associated to it?

The car will automatically be assigned to a Special Handling notice in the Equipment Advisory System once the component reaches its inspection interval.

How does the industry know how to handle the equipment that has a conditionally approved component associated?

The user will need to refer to the Special Handling notice found in the Equipment Advisory System.

Can Railinc assist me in coordinating an inspection of my conditionally approved component with the car owner?

No, you will need to contact the car owner directly.

CACTUS Process Flow

The following diagram illustrates the high-level process flow from beginning to end of how the components and related files are registered in the system and what each responsible party is capable of managing in the application. 

CACTUS Process Flow