Railway Operating Rules: Signal Indications and Switch Procedures

Stop Indications in CTC Territory

At a signal displaying a Stop indication, if no conflicting movement is evident, the train will be governed as follows:

• A crew member must immediately contact the Control Operator (CO), unless the train is within Track and Time (T&T) limits or entering T&T limits from any point other than either end.
• When a train receives these instructions: “After stopping (train) at (location) has authority to pass signal displaying Stop indication,” the train must then move at restricted speed.

Manual Interlockings Operating Procedures

At a signal displaying a Stop indication in manual interlockings, the crew must immediately contact the Control Operator (CO).

Before proceeding into or continuing in CTC Territory, the manual interlocking CO must ensure the CTC CO has given authority to proceed.

Exception: Conflicting Movement

• When the CO has stopped a conflicting movement, they may then authorize another train to proceed, advising both crews of movements to be made.
• If the stopped movement is later permitted to proceed, that train must move at restricted speed until its leading wheels have passed the next governing signal or the end of the block system.

Permission to Pass Stop in ABS Territory

To obtain permission to pass a Stop indication in Automatic Block Signal (ABS) territory:

• Verify that the train has authority beyond the stop indication.
• Attempt to verify that no opposing train has violated its authority.

Required Verbiage: “After stopping (Train ID) at (Location) has permission to pass signal displaying Stop indication.”

Operating Dual Control Switches by Hand

If the Control Operator (CO) cannot line the dual control switch to the desired position, the CO must authorize movement past the Stop indication and instruct the employee to operate the switch by hand.

Important: The employee must obtain permission from the CO before operating the switch by hand.

Clearing Track Permits Procedures

When clearing track permits, the following information must be provided:

• Name or other identification of the person releasing the permit.
• Track permit number being released.
• Limits being released.
• Position of hand-operated manual track switches.

Stop and Proceed Signal Indication Rules

At a signal displaying a Stop and Proceed indication, the train must first stop, and then proceed at restricted speed.

Spring Switch Hand Operation Exceptions

Hand operation of a spring switch or a 5-minute wait is not required when:

• The switch is equipped with an electric lock.
• The track occupancy indicator shows the track is clear.
• The block to be entered is occupied by a train, engine, or car that is standing or moving away from the switch to be used.
• The train is entering a main track outside of yard limits for authorized movement against the current of traffic.
• A Track Permit authorizes the movement.
• A Track Warrant outside yard limits authorizes “Work Between” limits.

LAMMI Procedure for Track Safety

The LAMMI procedure involves the following steps:

• Line Switches Away
• Apply Blocking
• Make a record
• Maintain record for 15 days
• Issue Track Bulletin (C)