GCOR Operating Rules

GCOR Review

• If communication occurs with a flagger, trains don't have to stop, but proceed no faster than 15 mph until the crossing is clear.
• Protecting a shove move involves having the person in position, visual protection of equipment, and not engaging in unrelated tasks.
• Being in a vehicle or not standing on the ground to view equipment is considered "not in position".
• When approaching a red flag, stop before passing the flag and wait for instructions from the employee in charge.
• When navigating extreme weather, the engineer should approach bridges and hazardous points prepared to stop.
• Before operating trains/engines on submerged tracks, the track must be inspected and verified as safe.
• When operating in other than main track, trains must move at a speed allowing them to stop within half the range of vision.
• At a manual interlocking, if a train stops at a signal with a stop indication and there's no conflicting movement, a crew member must immediately contact the control operator.
• To enter an RC Zone, first contact the owner of the RC Zone to check if it's active.
• If a train with a track warrant from mp 25 to mp 125 is reported complete at mp 75, the track warrant authority from mp 25 to mp 75 is void.
• Yellow/red boards for FORM B can be set up one hour before sunset and one hour after sunrise.
• When setting up flags for track bulletin form maintenance of way employees can display yellow-red flags one hour before and one hour after the track bulletin is in effect.
• When operating in CTC territory and stopped at a stop signal, immediately contact the control operator.
• After a shift, TGBO (Track Bulletin) must be reported to the train dispatcher to release TGBO.
• Rolling equipment cannot be moved on a track under blue flag protection unless authorized and within a car shop repair or engine servicing area.
• GCOR 6.27 allows half the range of vision and looking for broken rail with restricted speed.
• In ABS when delayed in a signal block, proceed at restricted speed, and maintain that speed until the next signal is clear.
• CTC definition: a block system using block signal indications to authorize train movements.
• SSI 1.9 Pg. 50: If no defects are given after detector, 16 axles both sides and both directions must be inspected.
• The Track Warrant definition involves the one with METHOD in it.
• A train must stop 100 feet from a derail.
• On an electric lock, the Control operator/Train dispatcher must be notified if a seal is broken.
• After speaking to flaggers, do the item 3 duties with them.
• Rule 6.32.2 (A): If a train is approaching a crossing protected by an Item 2 and can't contact the flagger, item 2 will automatically be upgraded to an Item 1 unless relieved by the dispatcher.
• When entering a track, the switch must be moved back to the normal position once past the clearance point, which is 20 feet of the track.
• Latches must be locked, latched, or hooked when not in use.
• 9.9 Item B: When delayed in a block in CTC territory, proceed prepared to stop at the next signal until a proceed indication is visible. If operating in PTC territory, follow the PTC display.
• To pass a stop indication at a manual interlocking with a drawbridge, contact the control operator/dispatch and verify the bridge's position.
• All crew members must verify these on their tgbo or gtb: their movements have to be properly designated, the correct number of pages is included, and the designated limits include the proper area.
• Before occupying overlapping limits with joint authority on the main track, contact the employee listed on the authority and do not enter until authority is authorized.
• In automatic interlocking, if the signal displays a stop signal complying with allowing the train to proceed, move at restricted speed after receiving a signal from the employee on the ground as long as there's no movement.
• A train in a siding may not report clear of a track warrant before the main track switch is lined back to the normal position unless authorized to leave the switch in reverse position by your track warrant.
• Diagram: The train must leave the main track due to line 10 to hold the last point.
• When inspecting with a defect: inspect 8 axles and both sides and both directions
• When inspecting with NO defect: inspect 16 axles and both sides and both directions
• Employees are required to know if derails are in the "derail" position before going over them.
• When an engine is operating on the main track in non-signal territory, the engine must give way to trains right away.
• In non-signaled yard limit territory, the yard limits are your authority, so no further authorization is necessary to operate an engine on the main track.
• When operating a train at restricting speed, continue until the leading wheels reach a point where restricted speed is no longer needed.
• A train stops 400 feet before a switch.
• A movement may only foul an adjacent track when the switch is properly aligned.
• A train can only reverse on a main track within the limits the train has authority to occupy.
• The authorized speed to shove in an authorized direction is 20MPH.
• Rules for a backup move include "picking up a crew member", restricted speed being unnecessary, and remaining within one train length.
• If a signal fails to display its most restrictive indication when the block is occupied in CTC territory, stop immediately and do not move the train without the dispatcher's permission.
• If a signal is improperly displayed or a flagger sign is absent, the signal must be regarded as the most restrictive signal.
• The signal to warn men and equipment on track is one long and one short, followed by two shorts intermittently until the head end of the train passes the men or equipment.
• The whistle signal to acknowledge any signal not otherwise provided for, and also an unattended fusee burning on or near your track is two shorts.
• If an engineer continuously disobeys speed or signals, the conductor must stop the train.
• Radio transmissions for shoving or backup movements must include distance and direction.
• Before starting on main track or siding, confirm valid track bulletin, and determine if any other track bulletins are required.
• During shoving or backing, the engineer must acknowledge the specified distance when the distance is more than 4 cars.
• When calling attention to restrictions, the conductor must report to the engineer when approaching the first restriction and when approaching the speed restriction.
• Repeat directions by stating and spelling them, for example, EAST, E-A-S-T.
• A track warrant authorizes you to occupy main tracks only.
• 9.12.3: If a train is stopped at an absolute signal, authorize movement past the stop indication, the employee operates the switch by hand, then the movement may proceed to that switch
• Information regarding the type of interlocking over a specific territory can be found in the timetable.
• Before completing a track warrant, confirm with the train dispatcher that you are clear of the limits and void it.
• Freight cars with any defect that makes movement unsafe must be corrected or set out.
• A trainman cannot stay inside locomotive when stopped and train is being met or passed, they must position themselves on the ground to inspect from the other side, if it is safe to do so.
• For a train to enter track on CTC territory, a controlled signal or control operator must give authority.
• The PTC system may be cut out or disabled when mechanical approves it, when authorized by rules, and when proper authorization is received.
• If a crew is notified of an automatic warning system failure or a device is disabled (Item 1), they must stop and protect.
• 10.3 A: If a train is granted track and time, and there is a signal that displays a stop indication when within the limits? Yes, verbal authority must be granted at either end.
• A train must be prepared to stop at an automatic interlocking after passing the approach signal to the interlocking and the approach signal is clear when speed falls below 20 mph, after the approach signal and until the train is within 1000 ft of the interlocking signal and you can see it as a proceed.
• Detached cars or engines may not be left standing entirely in an interlocking.
• When shoving in spur tracks: apply handbrakes, stop movement 150 feet from the end of the track, have a crew member precede any further movement, move only on the crew members signal.
• When a train runs through a switch: do not change direction and the movement must be continued over the switch
• A train can enter the main track at a hand-operated switch with no governing signal in CTC territory after receiving authority from the control operator.
• All crew members are responsible for verbal confirmation of switch points affecting their train movement.
• The maximum speed for a freight train to shove cars ahead of an engine on a main track in the authorized direction is 20 MPH.
• Restricted speed includes not exceeding 25 MPH and maintaining half range of vision.
• A fixed signal identified by a D MARKER is a distant signal.
• Within TWC territory, more than one train may be authorized to occupy the main track between two specific points.
• The required speed of a train moving within the limits of a form B is movement at the speeds specified by the employee in charge.
• When making a reverse move on any main track, the required speed is restricted speed.
• An employee must stand 20 FEET away from the switch.
• The track flag used to warn a train or engine to be prepared to stop due to men and women is yellow red.
• If a train stops at a signal with a stop indication at manual interlocking with a drawbridge and receives verbal authority past the stop indication from the control operator, also get authority from control operator and Crew member must verify that the bridge is in proper position for train to pass.
• Aspects and indications of distant block and interlocking symbols are shown in the SSI.
• A track warrant is in effect until a crew member reports it clear of limits and made void.
• CONTACT THE CONTROL OPERATOR for 9.12.2
• Employees whose duties are affected must have a copy of the timetable special instructions.
• Employees must report for duty at the designated time and place with proper equipment.
• The Good Faith Challenge is ALL THE ABOVE
• The flag that must be placed 2 miles away for a FORM B is a YELLOW- RED FLAG.
• You can make a reverse movement in track warrant control territory with permission and only within the limits of authority to occupy that track.
• All movements within yard limits on a main track in block signal territory must be at restricted speed unless operating under a block signal more favorable than approach.
• If a train passes an approach signal requiring it to stop at the next signal, the stop must be made before any part of the train passes the block signal.
• You are not allowed to pre-fill track warrants.
• Employees must report malfunctioning automatic warning devices to the dispatcher by the first available means of communication.
• You are not required to stop before fouling a crossing when notified of a crew working on a malfunctioning crossing if a crew communicates with the flagger before fouling the crossing, and proceed over the crossing at 15MPH until the head end clears the crossing.
• Placing rolling equipment on the same track as a blue signal is not permissible, except on designated engine servicing area tracks or when a derail divides a track into separate working areas.
• When a switch YES is included on track and time, it includes the track between absolute signals governing movement over the switch.
• When limits are designated as a SWITCH NO, the limits extend to the signal governing movement over the switch.
• Train crews must obtain permission from the dispatcher or control operator before backing up on any track where CTC is in effect.
• Excessive dimensional loads should be loaded on or near the head end of the train.
• The conductor and engineer must both have a track warrant issued to their train, and others must understand it.
• Employees must receive TGBOs at the beginning of work.
• If a train has passed a 40mph speed sign and is approaching a 50mph sign, the train can increase its speed after the rear of the train passes the 40 speed sign.
• Blocks are governed by block signals, cab signals, or both.
• Written authorities no longer in effect must be retained until the end of tour of duty.
• A train with an overheated wheel must be stopped for 10 minutes to allow the heat to equalize through the wheel.
• Track warrant must be VOID and retain till the end of duty.
• When giving permission for a train to back up on a main track, the dispatcher must verify that the track warrant is in effect, no other authorities are in the same limit, and there are no form b's.
• Trains must be notified and must move at restricted speed when a track warrant is issued to protect or equipment in the same or overlapping limits.
• A track warrant may be in effect when an OK TIME is written on it.
• Engine crew members must be alert for signals, and other crew members must communicate with each other clearly the names of the signals affecting their train when one crew member calls out a signal.
• 6.6: The following is a requirement for a train making a backup move to a crew member: Movement will not be made into yard limits, or interlocking. Movement does not enter into the foul or public crossing.
• If a crew member is determining the location of a clearance point and the clearance point is not visible, equipment should be placed 50 feet in the clearance track to ensure it's not fouling equipment.
• TGBOs are Tabular General Bulletin Order.
• Return a dual control switch in hand operation to power after one unit or car has passed over the switch
• Terminology to verbally walk past a signal displaying stop indication: After stopping the train at location, state the train has authority to pass signal displaying stop location specifying the route where applicable.
• An ABS is Blocks governed by block signals, cab signals or both.
• NO track and time authorization is needed for trains to occupy tracks with interlocking limits
• After movement stops after the trailing end of the train is between the outer opposing absolute signals of a control point or manual interlocking get permission from the control operator.
• Fusee beyond the nearest rail The fusee does not apply to the track on which the train is moving.
• If the train dispatcher cannot be contacted and the train signal is displaying stop indication on the main track in ABS territory, move 100 feet past the signal, wait 5 minutes, then proceed at restricted speed.
• When repeating mandatory directives, direction must be stated or spelled everytime.