Amtrak Operating Rules

[Anonymous]

Yesterday the assistant conductor on Number 22 told me that if the engineer runs a red signal, the whole crew (engineer, conductor, and assistant conductor) would be suspended for 30 days for the first offense and terminated for a second offense.

I can understand penalizing the engineer, since he/she is driving the train and can see the signals, but penalizing the conductor and assistant conductor struck me as being unduly harsh.  They can't see the signals, I said. She told me that the engineer is required to call the signals and, if he/she does not slow for a yellow signal or stop for a red, the crew can put the train into an emergency stop.  I suppose this is where the accountability for the crew comes in. Presumably, the crew would have to know that the train is approaching a red signal; that the engineer does not intend to stop; and that they need to pull the emergency.  If this is true, what happens if they pull the emergency when in fact the engineer is planning to stop, and the crew has misjudged the signal or the distance to the signal?

Presumably the conductor and assistant conductor would have to know where every signal is located and record the approach and passage of same.  If for example the train violated the speed limit imposed by a yellow signal or ran a red signal by a few feet, how would the crew know since they are not in a position to see the signals?

On the Eagle, at least, I have observed that between stations most of the crew appears to camp out in the lounge side of the cafe car.  They may have their radios on, but they don't seem to be monitoring anything.

[BaltACD]

Outside the NEC, Amtrak is covered by the Operating Rules of the host railroad.  The entire operating crew is held responsible for the safe operation of the train.  To be qualified on a territory - both Conductor and Engineer must be qualified on the physical characteristics of the territory - stations, signals, road crossings, control points, railroad crossings at grade etc. etc. etc.  When qualified, a mere glance out the window lets the Conductor (and brakeman or assistant conductor) know where they are and what their operating responsibilities are and should be from the signals called by the engineer.  If the engineer fails to call a signal - by their qualifications they should know it and take the appropriate actions.  If the engineer calls less than a clear signal and fails to take the appropriate actions - the emergency cord is available.  The conductor has a copy of the train messages - the same as the engineer - and knows the locations of the restrictions that may be specified in those messages including speed restrictions, MofW work authorities, stop & flag road crossings etc.  In the event the engineer is not taking the appropriate actions approaching these restrictions - the emergency cord is available. 

Operating crews are a team and are held jointly responsible for operation of the train in conformity with the Operating Rules.

[dakotafred]

Excellent, Balt. Learned something today -- thank you!

This is consistent with an account of somebody's train ride I read once.

It was after dark, in the middle of a lightless countryside. (The kind we used to have before the ubiquitous yard lights.) The passenger had been visiting with the conductor, the two of them on their feet, when the conductor advised the passenger to brace himself on a seat. A few seconds later, the speeding train hit a rough spot that might have staggered him otherwise. 

[henry6]

And don't get railroad and Amtrak operating rules confused with Amtrak procedures and protocol.