Railway Operational Procedures: Authority, Reporting, and Compliance Rules

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 to Detached Train Portion

When a train leaves part of its train on the main track:

• Do not verbally relieve the protection.
• Issue authority to protect the return movement.

Protection of Equipment Left on Main Track

Before granting authority to enter any protected limits where equipment has been left standing, notify the employee being authorized of the equipment's location using the following format:

“Equipment on (track) between (MP) and (MP)”

Hy-Rail Limits Compliance System Procedures

When a warning is displayed:

• Promptly check for conflicting authorities and provide protection against any conflicting movements.
• Do not request any signal or switch changes within or at either end of the authority limits associated with the alarming equipment until the status of that equipment has been determined.
• Contact the employee or vehicle number reported in the warning, advising them where the system indicates they are located, and ask them to verify their location.

Emergency Brake Application Reporting (To TD)

Report the following information:

• The milepost location where the emergency brake application occurred.
• A brief report of who/what caused the emergency application and the factors involved.

Unwanted Emergency (UDE) Procedures

When a train has stopped because of a third UDE, and no defects have been previously found or corrected, the following steps must be taken:

• The entire train must be parked for mechanical inspection.
• Ensure the crew contacts the mechanical desk for assistance.
• Be governed by the Chief Dispatcher’s instructions concerning the location to park the train. (The location must allow for safe inspection by Mechanical Department employees.)
• Contact SID and ROC to report the location of the parked train.

Track Bulletin Restrictions in Effect

Ensure that all track bulletins in effect between the point of origin and final destination for a train or engine crew are included on the General Track Bulletin or Track Warrant received at the initial station.

Issuing a Restrictive Track Warrant

Do not issue a track warrant electronically if it restricts authority or movement and the train or Maintenance of Way (MW) foreman has previously received authority to leave the station.

• Verbally issue the restricting track warrant to a crew member or MW foreman.
• Do not issue the second paragraph of GCOR/MWOR 14.13.

Suspending Block System Signals

A block system or section of a block system is removed from service only when authorized by the Division General Manager.

Whistle Warning Request Protocol

The standard request format is: “Whistle freely between MP__ and MP__ from (time) until (time) for (reason).”

Action Required: Confer with a supervisor before granting a whistle warning to evaluate if appropriate protection is provided.