Login
or
Register
Home
»
Trains Magazine
»
Forums
»
General Discussion
»
EVEN A PANCAKE HAS TWO SIDES
Edit post
Edit your reply below.
Post Body
Enter your post below.
cabforward: I think I'll limit this to the dispatcher's point of view only. And this is a bit simplified so I don't have to write all the exceptions (which would take a while). <br /> <br />Opening a switch in signaled territory will set the nearest signals on the main track to red. If the territory is under Centralized Traffic Control, it will also show what's called a "track light" on the dispatcher's console. Today, that means the graphic representation on the dispatcher's screen for that piece of track will turn red, or flashing red. All that tells the dispatcher is that there is something interrupting the track circuit in that block, which could be anything from a broken rail to a open switch to a piece of equipment on the track. The dispatcher cannot line a signal into that track segment, but he can "block clear" a train into it. That means he can authorize a train to proceed past the red signal at restricted speed (able to stop in 1/2 the limit of vision short of train, engine, open switch, men and equipment, etc., and on Western roads, not more than 20 mph in any case). Restricted speed protects the train; because it's 1/2 the limit of vision, no collision or accident should occur. If the track light appears on a switch, the dispatcher will notify the signal desk and a signal maintainer will be called out to inspect the switch and signal. If the track light appears behind a train, particularly a heavy train such as unit coal or grain, the dispatcher will suspect a broken rail, and will usually not block-clear any train into that block until the track is inspected by the roadmaster or track inspector. <br /> <br />In ABS (automatic block signal) territory, without CTC, the dispatcher has no electronic or visual information on that track. The signaling system is automatic, and it is the sole protection to the train against an open switch. The dispatcher won't know about the red signal until a train or maintainer comes upon it and reports it. <br /> <br />There are many switches off the main track in territories that aren't signaled. The dispatcher has no way of knowing if these are open or closed unless a train or maintainer tells him about it. By rule, switches on the main track may only be opened when in possession of a train or maintainer. When they leave, by rule they switch must be closed unless the dispatcher is informed it is open. Then it becomes the dispatcher's responsibility to protect the open switch by giving appropriate instruction to the next train to come upon it, before it gets there, of course. <br /> <br />Siding switches are often left open in caboose-less, single-track territory if that territory is not not equipped with spring switches on at least one end of each siding, because otherwise the conductor will have to walk the length of the train to the engines after closing the switch behind the train. In many areas, that's patently unsafe because the train is on bridges, sidehills, etc. There is almost no reason to leave a switch open to an industrial track -- that situation is very rare, and I can't recall ever seeing it on any line that was operated at anything better than restricted speed. <br /> <br />Train movements to industrial tracks are not covered by track warrants or DTC authorities, or for that matter in CTC territory they have no signal protection into the industrial track, because an industrial track is not a main track or controlled siding. The industrial track by rule is operated at restricted speed. In effect, a train on the main track "owns" the switch to any industrial spurs springing from that main track, and because the spur is operated at restricted speed, there could be something there and you have to watch out for it. A train cannot emerge from an industrial track onto the main track without authority on the main track, ever. Trains cannot tie up in industrial tracks without giving up their authority on the main track. <br /> <br />If that's not clear in any part, let me know, I'll try again. This is covering a huge part of the rule book in very abbreviated fashion (and it's just the dispatcher's part, too). <br /> <br />OS
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag
Update Reply
Join our Community!
Our community is
FREE
to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Login »
Register »
Search the Community
Newsletter Sign-Up
By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our
privacy policy
More great sites from Kalmbach Media
Terms Of Use
|
Privacy Policy
|
Copyright Policy