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Track Warrants
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First let us consider "Methods of Operation." All main tracks, or "controlled tracks," which is almost everything other than yard tracks and some sidings, require some form of authority from a dispatcher or control operator for a train to occupy. The type of authority to occupy a given segment of controlled track is the "Method of Operation." The Method of Operation for each segment is also printed in the timetable for reference. <br /> <br />There are generally two Methods of Operation in use today. These are Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) and Track Warrant Control (TWC). A third method, Direct Traffic Control (DTC), is rarely used anymore. A railroad may use one method on one part of their system, and another method in another part. <br /> <br />In CTC territory, movement authority is granted by wayside signals, controlled by the dispatcher or control operator. Do not confuse these with Automatic Block Signals (ABS), which tell a train whether the track ahead is clear, but do not by themselves authorize the train to occupy the controlled track. That movement authority must be granted by another means, such as a Track Warrant. <br /> <br />Track warrants are also used to issue Track Bulletins such as, Form "A" (slow orders), Form "B" (Men and equipment working), and Form "C" (look out for bad footing next to track at etc.,) but that's another subject. <br /> <br />In the "old days," dispatcher's records of train orders issued were kept in a train order book in the dispatchers' office for reference, but it was up to the dispatcher not to issue conflicting orders that would permit a "lap of authority," which could result in a head-on collision. Track Warrants, however, are issued by the dispatcher through a computerized "Computer Assisted Dispatching" (CAD) system, which keeps track of what authorities have been issued, and "prompts" the dispatcher to prevent the issuance of conflicting instructions. <br /> <br />At the beginning of a trip, the first track warrant is usually transmitted to a printer or fax machine in the crew room, where the crew reviews it as part of their job briefing. Once underway, subsequent track warrants are copied on a pad of pre-printed forms carried by the conductor. This form is nothing more than a list of pre-printed instructions, each on a numbered line, with a check box in front of it. Placing a check mark in the box instructs the train to follow the instructions printed on that line. The conductor makes two copies, one for himself and one for the engineer. (Engineers are not permitted to write anything while at the controls of a moving train.) <br /> <br />When the dispatcher wants to issue a track warrant to a train, the dispatcher contacts the train by radio, and using a specific procedure to prevent errors, instructs the conductor which line(s) to check. For example, the dispatcher might say, "Check Box 2, Proceed on Main track from Podunk to Hooterville." On the conductors copy of the form, there are blank spaces for the track (Main) and the originating (Podunk) and ending (Hooterville) stations. These are filled in by the conductor. <br /> <br />The dispatcher may issue one or more lines as necessary, depending what other instructions may be necessary. For example, if the dispacher wanted the train to go into the sidng to meet another train at Hooterville, he would add, "Check Box 10, Clear main track at last named point." <br /> <br />To assure nothing is overlooked, the dispatcher then summarizes what is included on the track warrant, e.g., "This warrant has two boxes checked, boxes two and ten." <br /> <br />The conductor checks the appropriate lines, then repeats the instructions to the dispatcher, who must listen closely for errors in the "read-back," as an error may be deadly, especially in "dark" (unsignalled) territory. <br /> <br />If the read-back is correct, the dispatcher replies, "That is correct," and states the time and his/her initials. Only then does the track warrant become valid and may be acted upon. <br /> <br />If the dispatcher wants the train to continue past the end of the authority granted on the track warrant, the dispatcher must "void" the existing track warrant and issue a new one to the train. <br /> <br />I hope this helps. Have a safe day. <br />Ken <br /> <br />
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