Essential Railway Operating Procedures for Safety

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 is physically passing or has passed the location where the track will be entered.

Track Bulletin Restriction Delivery

Deliver Track Bulletin (TB) restrictions to all trains affected by the restrictions.

Track Flag Protocol

Reporting Track Flag Issues

When informed that track flags are improperly displayed or missing, immediately notify the Maintenance of Way (MW) employee in charge or their supervisor.

Responding to Crew Inquiries

When train crews inquire about yellow or yellow-red flags displayed in the field, only provide information about Track Bulletin (TB) restrictions that are in effect at that specific location.

Dual Control Switches in CTC Limits

When Form B Track Bulletin (TB) restriction limits contain dual control switches:

• A job briefing must be held with the employee in charge to determine if switches need to be blocked.
• If the employee in charge informs the Control Operator (CO) of Maintenance of Way (MW) activity that will be affected by the change of position of any dual control switches, those switches must have blocking or marking devices applied during the effective time of the Form B Track Bulletin (TB) restrictions.

Written Speed Restriction Instructions

Advice of speed restrictions issued, raised, or lowered by the Train Dispatcher (TD) must be in writing.

Out-of-Service Track Procedures

When track is out of service:

• Provide blocking or markers on the control machine to prevent movement onto the track that will be protected.
• Do not establish a signal route to allow train movement into a track that has been removed from service.

Verbal Authority for Stop Signals

Before granting a train verbal authority to pass a signal displaying a Stop indication, follow these critical steps:

Granting Verbal Authority: Key Steps

• Initial Verification

  • Verify from the train crew that the Stop indication is visible.

• Switch and Derail Blocking

  • Block switches and derails to prevent movement into the requested area. Use a device or switch block, ensuring the switch block indicates in solid blue.

• Track Segment Blocking

  • Apply blocking or a restrictive tag on the track segment beyond the affected control point.
  • Maintain this blocking until all trains authorized under provisions of Rule 9.12.1 or 9.12.2 have occupied the track segment beyond the affected control point and:
    • Have received a proceed signal at the next control point.
    • Have occupied the next control point.
    • Have reached the end of Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) or Manual Interlocking limits.