Canadian Rail Operating Rules

Track Units Operating Over Power-Operated and Dual Control Switches

814. Power-Operated Switches

When a track unit(s) is required to move over a power-operated switch;

  • (a) the switch must be lined by the RTC , except where the RTC gives permission to the foreman to have it operated by a qualified employee; and

  • (b) when a power-operated switch is operated by a qualified employee, and after the track unit has cleared the switch points, the foreman must immediately advise the RTC .

815. Dual Control Switches

When a track unit(s) is required to move over a dual control switch;

  • (a) the switch must be lined by the RTC , except where the RTC gives permission to the foreman to operate such switch in the “hand” position; and

  • (b) when a dual control switch is operated by the foreman in the “hand” position, and after the track unit has cleared the switch points, the foreman must ensure that the selector lever has been restored to the “power” position and locked and immediately advise the RTC .

816. Foreman Requirements - Identifying Arrival and/or Departure of Movements

When a foreman has been authorized to perform track work behind or has authorized a movement(s) to pass through working limits, the foreman or sub-foreman must not enter the track at a location within the limits until it has been positively ascertained that the movement(s) have arrived and/or left that location. Such information must be received from the RTC or a crew member or by the foreman or a sub-foreman identifying that a movement has arrived by visually identifying the designated engine and marker. Movements operating without a marker must be identified by the foreman or a sub-foreman by direct communication with a member of the crew of such or by the foreman through the RTC .

OPTIONAL – ONLY REQUIRED FOR THOSE USING RULES 862 and 863

This requirement is also applicable to an employee providing arrival and departure information to the RTC from a field location.

840.3 Protection of Track Work at Automatic Interlockings Railway ....... Crossings at Grade

Foreman must also refer to Rule 611(d).

When the foreman is in possession of other protection encompassing all routes within the interlocking limits, protection as per Rule 840.3 is not required.

Track work may be performed within the limits of an automatic interlocked railway crossing at grade after protection has been provided as follows:

  • (a) Permission must be obtained from the RTC of both railways (where applicable).

  • (b) After permission has been obtained and before any track work is started, the foreman must open the box marked “switches”, open the knife switch and must wait five minutes or such greater time as may be posted in the box. The switch must be left open until track work is completed.

  • (c) In addition, a visible indicator marked “840.3 Protection” or special lock must be secured to the box marked “switches” to indicate that track work is ongoing.

  • (d) After track work is completed the RTC of both railways (where applicable) must be notified.

841. Protection of Track Work on Non-Main Track and in Cautionary Limits

 

  841. Protection of Track Work on Non-Main Track and in Cautionary Limits

1. The switch is lined away from the working point and locked with a special lock.

2. A red flag is placed between the rails in each direction at least 100 yards from the working point, where there will be a clear view of them from an approaching movement of 300 yards if possible.

  • (a) Before applying protection the employee responsible, if any, for the track must be advised.

  • (b) When working limits are on a track where the kicking of equipment is permitted per Rule 113.5(a), protection must be provided by (c)(i) or (iii).
  • (c)The foreman must provide protection to prevent access to the working limits using one or more of the following methods:
    1. (i) lock switch(es) with a special lock, in a position to prevent a movement from entering the working limits;
    2. (ii) place a red flag by day, and in addition, a red light by night, or when day signals cannot be plainly seen, between the rails to prevent a movement from entering the working limits.  Such signal(s) must be placed at least 100 yards from the working point where practicable, where there will be a clear view of the signal(s) from an approaching movement of at least 300 yards.  If there is equipment on the track which will prevent a clear view of 300 yards, the red signals must be placed to include such equipment; or
    3. (iii) a red signal displayed per (ii) and a derail locked in the derailing position with a special lock.

842. Planned Protection – Rule 42

 

842. Planned Protection – Rule 42

Red signals are depicted at the locations stated in the General Bulletin Order and yellow over red flags are placed at least 2 miles in advance of the red flags. The flags are placed to the right of the track as seen by approaching movements. Diagram 2 - Red signals are depicted at the location stated in the General Bulletin Order and yellow over red flags are placed at least 2 miles in advance of the red flags. The flags are placed outside of outer main tracks.

  • (a) When protection is required, the request must be in writing and on the prescribed form. When protection has been provided, the track and time limits must be confirmed in writing prior to the foreman named in the GBO arranging for the display of the prescribed flags as follows;

    • (i) place a red flag at each identifiable location stated in the GBO to the right of the track as seen from an approaching movement; and

    • (ii) place a yellow over red flag at least two miles outside the track limits defined by the red flags, to the right of the track as seen from an approaching movement.

    • (iii) Track work must not be undertaken until the prescribed signals are in place in all directions.

    • (iv) flags must not be in place more than 30 minutes prior to or after the times stated in the GBO unless provided for in the GBO .

    • (v) Track limits must not be overlapped.

  • (b) When a specific track is to be used, instructions from the foreman must specify the track upon which the instructions apply.

    In CTC , when protection is in effect on more than one track or when signalled turnouts are within the limits there must be a clear understanding in writing between the foreman and the RTC as to what route(s) movements are to use. The foreman’s instructions to the movement must be identical to the routing arrangement with the RTC . Should the foreman require operation on a specific track when the arrangement with the RTC was for more than one route, the foreman must make a new arrangement with the RTC before authorizing the movement.

  • (c) Track limits shall be kept as short as practicable and be expressed in whole miles or by other identifiable locations.

  • (d) The GBO must indicate the location of flags that cannot be placed at the distance prescribed.

843. Slow Track Protection – Rule 43

 

843. Slow Track Protection – Rule 43

Green flags are placed immediately beyond the defect and yellow flags are at least 2 miles in advance of the green flags. Flags are placed to the right of the track, as seen by approaching movements. - Green flags are placed immediately beyond the defect and yellow flags are at least 2 miles in advance of the green flags. Flags are placed to the outside of the outer main tracks.

  • (a) When slow track protection is required the request must be in writing and when practicable on the prescribed form, and after GBO protection has been provided, the speed restriction(s) and limits must be confirmed to the foreman in writing who will arrange to place a:

    • (i) yellow flag to the right of the track as seen from an approaching movement at least two miles in each direction from the outermost limits indicated in the GBO , and

      (ii) green flag to the right of the track as seen from an approaching movement in each direction, immediately beyond the defect.

      Exception: When there are abutting limits contained within a single GBO , a single green flag will be displayed to either side of the track to identify each restriction within the limits.

  • (b) The GBO must indicate the location of flags that cannot be placed at the distance prescribed.

  • (c) When the placement of flags as prescribed is delayed, the RTC must be advised and the following must be added to the Form V: “Signals may not be in place.” The flags must be placed as soon as possible and the GBO changed accordingly.

  • (d) When a restriction is located at a single mile point, one green signal will be displayed to identify the restriction and may be displayed to either side of the track.

  • (e) When a rail break has been detected by an engineering employee and it is safe to operate over the break at a speed less than posted speed, the RTC will provide GBO protection to affected movements stating the authorized speed over the break and how such location is marked in the field, by either a Rail Break Sign or foreman, at the break. Flags required will not be in place.

  • (f) The regular placement of flags must be utilized after 24 hours if the defect is continuing.

845. Signal Placement Multi-Track

Except on a subdivision designated in special instructions, signals required by Rules 842 and 843, must be placed to the outside of the outermost track(s) and not between the main tracks.

 

845. Signal Placement Multi-Track

Green flags are placed immediately beyond the defect with yellow flags in advance of the green flags. Flags are placed to the outside of the main tracks. Green flags are placed immediately beyond the defect with yellow flags in advance of the green flags. Flags are placed on the north side of the north track. Green flags are placed immediately beyond the defect with yellow glags in advance of the green flags. Flags are placed to the outside of the main tracks.

846. Mounting of Signals

  • (a) Signals displayed for protection of track work and track conditions must provide an unobstructed view of them as seen by the crew of an approaching movement. They will be of the prescribed colour, size and shape.

  • (b) When a day signal cannot be plainly seen, each flag must be reflectorized or equipped with a reflectorized lens, target or disc, or a reflectorized sign may be used instead. In the application of Rule 841, the required light must be displayed.

  • (c) Red, yellow, and yellow over red flags may display those colours only in the direction of an affected approaching movement. Green flags must display that colour in both directions.