Questions, Answers & Tips - 4
4
at the beginning of their shift which lists all the bulletins in
effect, by track bulletin number, for the territory over which
they will operate. This track warrant grants no authority, only
conveys information. The crew uses it as a reference and is
able to acquire the appropriate Track Bulletins prior to begin-
ning their trip.
“Since this track warrant does not issue authority, it can be
modified by the
dispatcher. For
example, if a main-
tenance crew fin-
ishes tamping an
area and a speed
restriction (Form A)
is removed, the dis-
patcher can contact
the train crew and
have them modify
that track warrant
by removing the
Track Bulletin that
was listed on it
originally.
“So to answer the
original question, a
track warrant can
only be modified after it is issued if it does not issue authority.
Any track warrant that gives a train authority on a main track
must be canceled.
James Ogden explains. “There are two types of track warrants
out there, sort of. A track warrant (4) is a track warrant, but
they can have different purposes. Track warrants are used to
give a train authority on a main track, and those track warrants
cannot be modified once issued. If there is a mistake, they
must be canceled and a new one must be issued.
“To explain the other type of track warrant, let me give you
some background. Rarely does a piece of railroad have no tem-
porary conditions that create hazards or restrictions of some
kind. As such, railroads issue track bulletins that list these haz-
ards and restrictions. They can be speed restrictions (which
many railroads call a "Form A"), working limits for maintenance
of way (which is often called a "Form B"), or any number of
other things. Other things can be crossing warning system mal-
functions, tripping hazards, switches that are hard to line, and
missing bridge walkways. Usually these other items are referred
to as either a 'Form C,' or a 'Track Condition Message.'
“Before a crew moves any train or engine on a main track,
each crew member must receive a list of all the track bulletins
in effect for the territory over which they will operate. Some
railroads issue this as a General Bulletin Order, General Track
Bulletin, which is basically a list of all the track bulletins that
crew will encounter.
Ken Rickman gets the last word: “Railroading is still highly
dependent on human beings making intelligent decisions and
paying attention to what they're doing. As has been proven
many, many times, it is entirely possible for simple human
stupidity or frailty to circumvent every safety system we can
invent. 'Old School' railroading, such as with timetables, train
4: A track war-
rant gives a
train authority to
occupy main line
tracks.
MRH-Feb 2014
