GCOR -- Main Track Operations Questions and Answers

GCOR -- Main Track Operations Questions and Answers Employee Jurisdiction Employees are under jurisdiction of the supervisors of railroad they are operating on. When operating on another railroad, unless otherwise instructed, employees governed by: (1.) Safety rules, air brake and train handling rules and hazardous materials instructions of the railroad they are employed by. (2.) The operating rules, timetable and special instructions of the railroad they are operating on. (Rule 1.14) Timetable Characters Timetable characters are letters and symbols located in the timetable station column. These letters and symbols indicate the special conditions at specific locations (such as yard limits and manual interlockings). A timetable station column may also include information on the method of operation (such as TWC, ABS, CTC, or DTC). Explanation of characters will be shown in the timetable or special instructions. (Rule 4.3) Improperly Displayed Signals If a signal is improperly displayed, or a signal, flag, or sign is absent from the place it is usually shown, regard the signal as displaying the most restrictive indication it can give. However, if a semaphore arm is visible, it will govern. (Rule 5.15) Repeat Instructions An employee who verbally receives instructions or information about train or engine movements must repeat them. (Rule 6.1) Initiating Movement Before initiating movement on a main track or controlled siding, a crew member must: Receive track bulletins affecting their movement and Determine from the train dispatcher or yardmaster if any track bulletins are needed. (Rule 6.2) Main Track Authorization Do not occupy main tracks unless authorized. When unable to obtain authority and it is necessary to foul or occupy a main track in ABS, protection must be provided in both directions. (Rule 6.3) (Main Track Authorization) Joint Authority When a train or employee receives authority joint with an employee(s), the train or employee must not occupy the overlapping limits until: (1.) Working limits are described and permission is received to enter the overlapping limits from the employee(s) listed on the authority (2.) Advice is received from the train dispatcher or control operator that the employee(s) have reported clear of the limits. When a train receives joint authority, movements must be made at restricted speed. (Rule 6.3) Reverse Movement Make reverse movements on any main track, controlled siding, or on any track where a block system is in effect at restricted speed and only within the limits a train has authority to occupy the track. When moving in direction authorized speed will be 20 MPH. (Rule 6.4) Shoving Movement (Prior to Moving) Job Briefing conducted. {Who, How (Less than 1000' must walk), What (are we shoving), Distance & Direction, Switches & Derails}. Portion of track to be used is clear of equipment or conflicting movements. The track will remain clear to the location where movement will be stopped. Switches and derails are properly lined. Employees may be relieved from providing visual protection when: Superintendent Bulletin specifies tracks that will be protected with shove lights or monitored cameras. Picking up a crew member. (Rule 6.5) Shoving Movement (Providing Protection) When making a shoving movement, the employee protecting movement must see route is clear and be in a position to continuously observe the leading end of the equipment until it is stopped / walk adjacent to or ride the leading end of the equipment. Movement must stop within half the distance specified unless additional instructions received. (Rule 6.5) Remote Control Operations (RCO) Considered shoving movements, except when the remote control operator controlling the movement is riding lead locomotive in direction of movement. Before initiating movement, the operator/crew member must be in position to visually observe direction equipment moves. When approaching within 200 feet of a fouling point, switch or derail, employee controlling the movement must be on point of movement outside cab when riding locomotive. (Rule 6.5.1) Backup Movements After obtaining permission from the train dispatcher, a train may back up on any main track or on any track where CTC is in effect under the following conditions -- Crew ensures movement will not: Exceed the limit of the train's authority, Exceed the train's length, Enter or foul a private or public crossing, Be made into or within yard limits, restricted limits, interlocking limits, drawbridges, railroad crossings at grade, or track bulletin Form B limits. Protection of move not required. Yard Limits Within yard limits, trains or engines are authorized to use the main track not protecting against other trains or engines. All movements entering or moving within yard limits must be made at restricted speed unless operating under a block signal indication that is more favorable than Approach. (Rule 6.13) Restricted Limits Within restricted limits, trains or engines are authorized to use the main track not protecting against other trains or engines. All movements must be made at restricted speed. Movements against the current of traffic must not be made unless authorized or protected by track warrant, track bulletin, yardmaster, or other authorized employee. (Rule 6.14) Equipment Left on Main Track Crews that leave engines/equipment on the main track do not need to provide protection for the equipment if the train dispatcher gives verbal relief. A train must not be left on the main track in non signaled territory unless protected by one of the following: Yard Limits or Track Warrants. (Rule 6.20) Protection Against Defects If any defect or condition that might cause an accident is discovered on tracks, bridges, or culverts, or if any crew member believes that the train or engine has passed over a dangerous defect, the crew member must immediately notify the train dispatcher and provide protection if necessary. (Rule 6.21.1) Water Above the Rail Do not operate trains and engines over tracks submerged in water until the track has been inspected and verified as safe. Operate engines at 5 MPH or less when water is above the top of the rail. If water is more than 3 inches above the top of the rail, a Mechanical Department Supervisor must authorize the movement. (Rule 6.21.2) Movement on Other Than Main Track Except when moving on a main track or on a track where a block system is in effect, trains or engines must move at a speed that allows them to stop within half the range of vision short of: (TERMSD), Train, Engine, Railroad car, Men or equipment fouling the track, Stop signal, or Derail or switch lined improperly. (Rule 6.28) Cars Shoved, Kicked, or Dropped When cars are shoved or kicked over road crossings at grade (except those used exclusively by railroad employees), a crew member must be on the ground at the crossing to warn traffic until the crossing is occupied. Make any movement over the crossing as directed from that crew member. Such warning is not required when gates are known to be in the fully lowered position. (Rule 6.32.1) Automatic Warning Devices and Crossings That Require Additional Precautions A movement must not foul a crossing equipped with automatic warning devices until the device has been operating long enough to provide warning and the crossing gates, if equipped, are fully lowered. Report all defects of crossings immediately to dispatch or to Grade Crossing Safety Hot Line. Notify all affected trains ASAP. (Rule 6.32.2) Clear of Crossings and Signal Circuits Leave cars, engines, or equipment clear of road crossings and crossing signal circuits. When practical, avoid leaving cars, engines, or equipment standing closer than 250 feet from the road crossing when there is an adjacent track. When cars, engines, or equipment are left on a siding or a main track closer than the required distance, the train dispatcher must be notified. (Rule 6.32.4) Actuating Automatic Warning Devices Unnecessarily Avoid actuating automatic warning devices unnecessarily by leaving switches open or permitting equipment to stand within the controlling circuit. (Rule 6.32.5) Blocking Public Crossings When practical, a standing train or switching movement must avoid blocking a public crossing longer than 10 minutes. (Rule 6.32.6) Location of Signals When viewed from the train, block and interlocking signals are generally to the right of the track. However, they may be located to the left or above the track. (Rule 9.2) Improperly Displayed Signals or Absent Lights if a light is absent or improperly displayed, regard a block or interlocking signal as displaying the most restrictive indication it can give. However, when the semaphore arm position is plainly seen, that aspect will govern. (Rule 9.7)