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Canadian Operating Rules versus the General Code of Operating Rules.

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Canadian Operating Rules versus the General Code of Operating Rules.
Posted by NP Eddie on Saturday, May 19, 2018 4:30 PM

ALL:

My previous topic about Canadian built locomotives built for US railroads that operate in Canada has led me to ask another question:

Outside of different terminalogy (as RTC for Dispatcher),  how do the COR differ from the GCOR? I assume that the BNSF and AMTRAK Seattle crews must be examined on both COR and GCOR. Any comments are appreciated.

Ed Burns

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Posted by traisessive1 on Saturday, May 19, 2018 9:03 PM

I wouldn't really know. I am not qualified on the US rules. I do know there are differences in how horn and headlight/ditchlight failure are treated. I know there are different whistle signals rules they use in the US and not in Canada. 

I would imagine CTC and OCS (Track Warrant) rules are likely different. 

You'd have to sit down with two guys working under each one and go through the rules together. 

Our Canadian operating manual is huge. There are many parts to it besides just the 'rule' book. 

10000 feet and no dynamics? Today is going to be a good day ... 

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Posted by CPRcst on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 11:55 PM

CROR is available on line, tc.gc.ca

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Posted by traisessive1 on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 2:23 PM

There are numerous changes to the most recent version. 

10000 feet and no dynamics? Today is going to be a good day ... 

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Posted by SD70Dude on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 4:26 PM

traisessive1

I would imagine CTC and OCS (Track Warrant) rules are likely different.

I am given to understand that this is one of the bigger differences in terminology.

In Canada main track dark territory is operated under the Occupancy Control System (OCS, not to be confused with On-Company Service), and a train's written authority is called a OCS Clearance.

In the U.S. I believe dark territory is called Track Warrant Control (TWC, correct me if I am wrong here) and a train's written authority is called a track warrant.

Now in Canada a "track warrant" is a written authority in CTC territory, written permission to pass a stop signal would be one example. 

Greetings from Alberta

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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 7:04 PM

SD70Dude
In the U.S. I believe dark territory is called Track Warrant Control (TWC, correct me if I am wrong here) and a train's written authority is called a track warrant.

Essentially the same under NORAC - just a difference in terminology.  Dark territory is "DCS" (Form D Control System) and the written authority is the Form D.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by NP Eddie on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 7:34 PM

ALL:

I believe that my question has been answered. Thanks for all for their input. The two biggest differences between the COR and the GCOR are the terminalogy and the the standarization of signals, switch banners, etc. all over Canada. It is my opinion that the BNSF and Amtrak Seattle crews are also examinated on the COR.

Thanks to all.

Ed Burns

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Posted by Deggesty on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 7:48 PM

Eddie, another difference between US and Canadaian operation is that, from my observations while traveling across Canada, all signals along the line, whether lineside or interlocking, have numbers. I understand that if there is only one head, the signal is simply a lineside signal and so is permissive; if two or more heads are present, the signal is an interlocking signal and therefore is absolute. 

I do not hve my Canadian rulebook here, and my daughter might have great difficulty finding it in whatever box she packed it.

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Posted by jeffhergert on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 11:15 PM

CPRcst

CROR is available on line, tc.gc.ca

 

https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/railsafety/rules-tco167.htm 

This seems to be a master, with some rules or parts thereof optional for adoption by the individual railroads.

Jeff

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Posted by traisessive1 on Saturday, May 26, 2018 10:21 AM

Deggesty

while traveling across Canada, all signals along the line, whether lineside or interlocking, have numbers. I understand that if there is only one head, the signal is simply a lineside signal and so is permissive; if two or more heads are present, the signal is an interlocking signal and therefore is absolute. 

 

 
All signals in Canada do have numbers. They represent the subdivision milage to the nearest tenth. 
 
A single head HIGH MAST signal in Canada can only be a stop signal if it has an 'A' letter plate on the mast.  If it has an 'R' letter plate it is a Restricting indication when red and if there is no letter plate it is a Stop and Proceed when red.  You will never see an R or an A together because they're contradictory.
Single head HIGH MAST signals are NOT RTC controlled.
 
There are two types of HIGH MAST double head signals. 
1. Staggered 
2. Inline
 
Staggered ones are treated the exact same as single headed ones with the exception being you're less likely to see an 'A' letter plate on a staggered one.
 
Most (if not all) 'A' letter plates on these signals (single and staggered) are only used in OCS territory where ABS signals are in use. 
 
In line ones are stop signals when red and ARE RTC controlled. Staggered ones are NOT RTC controlled. 
 
Triple head inline signals are RTC controlled. 
 
Single, double and in a few cases triple head dwarf signals are all RTC controlled and are all stop signals when red. 

10000 feet and no dynamics? Today is going to be a good day ... 

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Posted by Deggesty on Saturday, May 26, 2018 10:32 AM

transessive1, thank you for the detailed discussion of the Canadian signals.

Johnny

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Posted by Overmod on Saturday, May 26, 2018 12:02 PM

jeffhergert

To have the references available in one place:

GCOR 7th edition (PDF)

Transition guide from GCOR 6th edition to 7th edition (PDF)

10th edition NORAC (PDF)

- so far I can't find a downloadable 11th edition, which took effect mid-February this year.

 As Jeff mentioned, individual railroads will have changes to the 'universal' editions.

 

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Posted by jeffhergert on Saturday, May 26, 2018 12:36 PM
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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, May 26, 2018 9:00 PM

Overmod
- so far I can't find a downloadable 11th edition, which took effect mid-February this year.

I have the synopsis of changes.  If someone wants it, PM me.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by zugmann on Saturday, May 26, 2018 9:33 PM

jeffhergert

Is CORA still a thing?  And is it just a combination of rulebooks, or does it add to them?

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

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Posted by dehusman on Sunday, May 27, 2018 7:58 AM

SD70Dude
In the U.S. I believe dark territory is called Track Warrant Control (TWC, correct me if I am wrong here) and a train's written authority is called a track warrant.

Clarification,  TWC is a track authority that is used outside of CTC, it is used in both signaled and non-signaled territory.

Most "dark" territory (territory without a block signal system) is  TWC, but having TWC does not mean the territory is dark.

The amount of ABS-TWC is  going down as much of that is being converted to CTC.

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Posted by SD70Dude on Sunday, May 27, 2018 10:20 AM

dehusman
SD70Dude
In the U.S. I believe dark territory is called Track Warrant Control (TWC, correct me if I am wrong here) and a train's written authority is called a track warrant.

Clarification,  TWC is a track authority that is used outside of CTC, it is used in both signaled and non-signaled territory.

Most "dark" territory (territory without a block signal system) is  TWC, but having TWC does not mean the territory is dark.

The amount of ABS-TWC is  going down as much of that is being converted to CTC.

Sounds similar to up here, non-CTC signalled territory is OCS with ABS and you still need a OCS Clearance to operate in it, the signals by themselves do not give authority to occupy the main track.

CN has already upgraded to CTC or removed the signals from any remaining OCS-ABS territory, and the section on ABS rules has been removed from our version of the CROR.

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

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