Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Baccalaureate

Back Up Movements

Back Up Movements – The crew ensures the movement will not:

• Exceed the limit of the train's authority.
• Exceed the train's length.
• Enter or foul a private or public crossing except as provided by Rule 6.23.1 (provide warning over road crossings).
• Be made into or within yard limits, restricted limits, interlocking limits, drawbridges, railroad crossings at grade, or TB Form B limits.

Back Up Movement (Blocking)

Back Up Movement (Blocking) – Before granting permission for a backup movement to pick up a crew member, do the following:

• Place a block or restrictive tag in the segment where the movement will occur.
• Where overlapping authorities exist, stop all trains within the overlapping limits that will be affected by the move.
• Provide

Railroad Operating Procedures and Signal Compliance

Green Flag or Yellow Flag Clearance

Proceed after a green flag or traveling 4 miles beyond the yellow flag, provided the Train Dispatcher (TD) has verified that no Temporary Block (TB) or Temporary Restriction (TW) is in effect specifying a temporary speed restriction at that location.

Display of Red Flag or Red Light

Red Flag Display: A red flag indicates where trains must stop. When approaching a red flag or red light, the train must stop short of it and not proceed unless the employee in charge gives instructions, including the milepost (MP) location of the red flag/light.

Headlight Failure Protocol

Headlight Failure: If the train's headlight fails, ditch lights must be activated, if so equipped.... Continue reading "Railroad Operating Rules: Signal Indications and Movement Procedures" »

Hours of Service and Equipment Protection

Hours of Service Laws: Employees must not exceed the hours of service law without proper authority. However, they must not leave trains, engines, or cars on the main track without proper protection.

Handling Excessive Dimension Loads

Excessive Dimension Loads: Instructions will be issued to trains handling excessive dimension loads. If no instructions have been issued regarding the handling car, the conductor will immediately notify the Train Dispatcher (TD).

Crewmember Responsibilities

Duties of Crewmembers: The conductor must advise the engineer and the TD of any restriction placed on equipment being handled.

Fixed Signal Communication

Fixed Signal Info: Employees must not use the radio to give info to a... Continue reading "Essential Railroad Operating Rules and Safety Protocols" »

Conditions for Movement Authority

• Have received a proceed signal at the next control point.
• Have occupied the next control point.
• Have reached the end of CTC or Manual interlocking limits.

Relaying Authority to Pass a Stop Signal

When direct radio communication is possible, do not allow another employee to relay the authority to pass a signal displaying a Stop indication. When another employee must relay this information, the employee must be qualified on the GCOR.

Switch Correspondence

A flashing switch indicates the switch is out of correspondence. If any of the following conditions are observed, the switch at that location cannot be considered lined and locked unless otherwise advised by signal personnel or another qualified employee at the location:... Continue reading "Railway Operating Rules: Signals, Switches, and Movement Authority" »

Track Release Time Procedures

When reporting track release time, ensure the following details are communicated:

• Location being reported past or Track Warrant (TW) limits that were released.
• Time Track Warrant (TW) was partially released.
• Question: “Is that correct, over?”

Overlap Circuit Management

When a report is received, or the Train Dispatcher (TD) becomes aware a train has passed an overlap circuit without permission:

• Advise the train involved to stop and remain stopped until further instructions are received from the Chief Dispatcher (CD).
• Immediately notify the Chief Dispatcher (CD).

Contingent Authority Issuance

Do not issue Track Warrant (TW) authority contingent upon a condition. Issue authority only after any authorized train movement... Continue reading "Essential Railway Operating Procedures for Safety" »

Operational Procedures and Authority Confirmation

40.7.2 Repeated Correctly

After issuing authority or any instruction, and it has been repeated back correctly, or the "OK" has been acknowledged, respond with “That is correct”.

Confirming Limits Before Granting Authority

1. If authority can be granted as requested, restate the limits to the requesting employee for confirmation.
2. If confirmation is received from the employee, issue authority with no change in the confirmed limits.
3. If unable to grant authority with limits as requested, state the limits that can be given, asking the employee if they are usable.
4. If changed limits are usable, require the employee to repeat the changed limits to confirm understanding before issuing.

Authorizing Return Movement

Railroad Operating Rules and Signal Definitions

• Absolute Signal: A fixed signal outside a block system that governs the approach to a block.
• Distant Signal: A fixed signal outside a block system that governs the approach to a block signal.
• Centralized Traffic Control (CTC): A block system that uses block signal indications to authorize train movements.
• Current of Traffic: The movement of trains in one direction on a main track as specified by the rules.
• Controlled Point: A location where absolute signals are controlled by a Control Operator (CO).
• Main Track: A track extending through yards that must not be occupied without authority.
• Controlled Siding: A siding where the signal indication authorizes siding use.
• Station: A place designated by name in

Information Display and Verification

When performing functions that require verbal transmission or repetition, the appropriate information must be displayed and used to match against the verbal communication in order to verify accuracy. Examples include transmission of mandatory directives, reporting clear of authority limits, and restoring main track switches through the POS process. When information is displayed on the workstation or a form is accessed, advise readiness to the field employee and restate the authority number involved. If the field employee begins to state information without the appropriate information screen displayed: Do not accept the information.

Trains Occupying Overlapping Limits

ABS Territory

Joint authority may be used

What Is a Creole Language?

A creole language, or simply a creole, is a stable natural language that has developed from a pidgin, i.e., a simplified version of a language. Creoles differ from pidgins because creoles have been nativized by children as their primary language. As a result, they have features of natural languages that are normally missing from pidgins, which are not anyone's first language.

The Etymology of the Word 'Creole'

The English term creole comes from French créole, which is cognate with the Spanish term criollo and Portuguese crioulo. All descend from the verb criar ('to breed' or 'to raise'), which comes from the Latin creare ('to produce, create').^[15] The specific sense of the term was coined in the 16th and 17th centuries... Continue reading "The Formation and Characteristics of Creole Languages" »