Railway Operating Rules: Stop Signals, Switches and Track Permits

Summary

This document sets out railway operating rules for responding to signal indications, including Stop and Stop-and-Proceed aspects in CTC, manual interlocking and ABS territory. It also covers operating dual control switches by hand, clearing track permits, spring switch exceptions and the LAMMI track safety procedure. Students learn the required crew actions and the verbal authority wording used in each case.

Key points

At a Stop signal in CTC territory, the crew must immediately contact the Control Operator unless the train is within or entering Track and Time limits from an end.
In manual interlockings, the crew must contact the CO at a Stop signal, and the CO must confirm CTC authority before proceeding.
At a Stop and Proceed signal, the train must stop first and then proceed at restricted speed.
Clearing a track permit requires the releasing person's name or ID, the permit number, the limits released and the position of hand-operated switches.
Hand operation of a spring switch or the 5-minute wait is not required in listed cases, such as when the switch has an electric lock or a Track Permit authorizes the movement.
The LAMMI procedure consists of lining switches away, applying blocking, making a record, keeping the record for 15 days and issuing Track Bulletin (C).

Test yourself

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)

FAQ

What must a crew do at a Stop signal in CTC territory?

If no conflicting movement is evident, the crew must immediately contact the Control Operator, unless the train is within Track and Time limits or entering them from a point other than either end. After stopping, the train may pass the signal at restricted speed once given the stated authority.

What information is required when clearing a track permit?

The name or identification of the person releasing the permit, the permit number, the limits being released and the position of hand-operated manual track switches must be provided.

What must a train do at a Stop and Proceed signal?

The train must first come to a stop and then proceed at restricted speed.

How long must the LAMMI record be maintained?

The LAMMI procedure requires that the record be maintained for 15 days.