Essential Railroad Operating Rules and Safety Protocols

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 train or engine crew about the name, position, aspect, or indication displayed by a fixed signal, unless the info is given between members of the same crew or info is needed to warn of emergency.

Mandatory Directives and Transmission

Transmission of Mandatory Directives: The employee must inform the TD when ready to copy, stating the employee’s occupation, name, and location on the main track or where the main track will be entered.

• State multiple-digit numbers by number and digit.
• Special instructions will replace any rule or regulation with which they conflict.

Initiating Movement and Track Authorization

Initiating Movement: Determine from the TD or yardmaster if any track bulletins are needed.

Main Track Authorization: Do not occupy main tracks unless authorized by one of the following:

• Rule 10.1 (Authority to enter CTC limits)
• Rule 14.1 (Authority to enter TWC limits)
• Rule 6.13 (Yard Limits)
• Rule 6.14 (Restricted Limits)
• Rule 9.15 (Track Permits)

Written authorities that are no longer in effect must be retained until the end of the tour of duty, unless otherwise instructed by the TD.

Reverse Movements: Obtain permission from the TD for reverse movements.

Speed Restrictions and Flagging

Display of Yellow Flag: If a flag is less than 2 miles from a restricted area, this info will be included in the Track Bulletin (TB), Track Warrant (TW), or general order.

Restriction Not Specified in Writing: When a yellow flag is displayed and the restriction is not specified by a track bulletin, track warrant, or general order, once the train is 2 miles beyond the yellow flag, crew members must:

• Continue moving the train at a speed not exceeding 10 mph.
• Resume speed only after the rear of the train has passed a green flag or traveled 4 miles beyond the yellow flag, and the TD has verified that no TB or TW is in effect specifying a temporary speed restriction at that location.