15.1 Track Bulletins

Receipt and Comparison of Track Bulletins

The conductor and engineer must receive a track warrant at their initial station unless otherwise instructed by the train dispatcher. All track bulletins that affect their train's movement must be listed on the track warrant, unless the track warrant shows "NONE" or "NO." The conductor and engineer must have copies of all track bulletins listed, and each crew member must read and understand them.

At the initial station, when outbound crew members receive track warrants and track bulletins from inbound crew members, the conductor and engineer must compare the track warrants and track bulletins with each other and with the train dispatcher before proceeding.

15.1.1 Changing Address of Track Warrants or Track Bulletins

15.2 Protection by Track Bulletin Form B

While trains are within the limits during the time stated in track bulletin Form B, they must:

• Move at restricted speed.
• Stop short of a red flag.

Before entering track bulletin limits, a crew member must attempt to contact the employee in charge by radio to avoid delay and report the train's location and the track being used.

A. Verbal Permission

When granting verbal permission, use the following words:

"Foreman (name) (of Gang NO. ) using track bulletin
NO._______ line NO.________ between MP _________ and MP_________ on ____________Subdivision."

1. To permit a train to pass a red flag without stopping, add the following:
   "(Train) may pass red flag, located at MP_____________- without stopping." The train may pass the red flag at restricted speed without stopping.

   To permit a train to proceed at other than restricted speed, add the following:

   "(Train) may proceed through the limits at MPH (or at maximum authorized speed)." The train may move through the limits at the speed specified, unless otherwise restricted.

   To require the train to move at restricted speed, but less than 20 MPH, add the following:

   "(Train) must proceed at restricted speed but not exceeding - MPH." (Specify distance if necessary.) The train must proceed at restricted speed and not exceed the speed specified.

A crew member must repeat the above instructions, and the employee giving the instructions must acknowledge them before they can be followed.

C. Stop Column

When "STOP" is written in the Stop column, a red flag must be displayed at the beginning of the limits. The train must not enter the limits until authorized by the employee in charge.

While trains, engines, and protected equipment are in track bulletin limits, they will otherwise be governed by Rule 15.2 (Protection by Track Bulletin Form B). The same track bulletin must not protect other gangs and equipment.

1. " ( Train ) will use track against the current of traffic (point) to (point)."

   The train must use only the track specified between these points. Opposing trains must not leave the last point until the train arrives. The train dispatcher must not authorize a following train to move against the current of traffic until the previous train has cleared the last point. Flag protection is not required against a train following on the same track.

   The example may be modified as follows:

   a. "After (opposing train) arrives at (point) (train) will use ________track against the current of traffic (point) to (point)."

   The train that will move against the current of traffic must not leave the first point until the opposing train arrives.

   Trains directly affected in both directions must receive this track bulletin and must not:

   • Clear the main track.
   • Allow a following train to pass.
     or

     Pass a preceding train, unless authorized by the train dispatcher.
2. "(Time) until (time) (date) all trains use track between (point) and (point). All trains must stop before fouling - track between these points unless directed to proceed by employee in charge of switches or by train dispatcher."

Following Movement. A train may not follow another train against the current of traffic until the previous train has cleared the limits, passed a designated location, or passed a flagman located at the next intermediate point. Flag protection is not required against following trains.

Flagman Provided. When flagmen are provided, the example will be modified by adding:

a. "Intermediate flagman located at (point). Trains moving against the current of traffic must stop short of flagman unless directed to proceed."

Extending Time. Time may be extended by issuing another track bulletin as follows:

b. "Track bulletin NO. _______ is extended until (time)."

This bulletin will be used when one or more tracks will be removed from service, and all trains in both directions must use the remaining track as directed by the train dispatcher or an employee in charge of switches at each end of the designated limits.

The train dispatcher will authorize movements between the designated points and issue the track bulletin and necessary instructions to the employee in charge of switches. This employee may verbally direct movement or use hand signals. Also, the train dispatcher may use a controlled signal indication to authorize movement.

All affected trains must receive a copy of the track bulletin.

A track bulletin may protect tracks removed from service by designating the track and naming the points at each end of the track. Trains must not use this track, unless the track bulletin states the name or title of an employee who may authorize use, and this person directs all movement.

When required, the train dispatcher must advise crews of alternate routes and switch positions.

When the main track is blocked, provide protection as specified by Rule 6.19.6 (Protection of Equipment Left on Main Track).

General orders or special instructions cancelled by track bulletins must not be reinstated. The track bulletin must remain in effect until the general order that contains the change is posted.

• An employee will enter all of the information on the track bulletin.
• The employee will repeat the information to the train dispatcher.
• The train dispatcher will check it and, if correct, will say "OK" and give the time and his initials.
• The employee will enter the "OK" time and the train dispatcher's initials on the track bulletin and repeat them to the train dispatcher.

Duplicated track bulletins must not be delivered or used until they are checked and verified as:

• Legible.
• Duplicated in their entirety.

15.9 Additional Copies of Track Bulletins

The train dispatcher will record the date, time, place, and name of the employee who recopied and repeated the track bulletin.

When directed by the train dispatcher, track bulletins may be retained for use during the next tour of duty. Before initiating movement on the main track on the next tour of duty, a crew member must verify from the train dispatcher that no additional track bulletins are needed.

If they cannot personally deliver the track warrants or track bulletins to the relieving crew, the conductor will leave them at a location designated by the train dispatcher.

Comparison of Information

The relieving conductor and engineer must compare track warrants, track bulletins, instructions, and pertinent information with each other and with the train dispatcher before proceeding.

A. Voiding Track Bulletins Verbally

Void the track bulletin by verbally using one of the following examples:

1. "Line (number) of track bulletin NO. ______ reading (quote the line to be voided) is void." An employee must repeat this information to the train dispatcher. If the information is correct, the employee must write "VOID" in the margin to the left of the line made void.
2. "That part of track bulletin NO. ______ reading (quote the part to be voided) is void." An employee must repeat this information to the train dispatcher. If the information is correct, the employee must draw a line through the portion made void.
3. "Track bulletin NO. ______ is void." An employee must repeat this information to the train dispatcher. If the information is correct, the employee must write "VOID" across each copy of the track bulletin being voided.

Issue a track bulletin or use the line designated "OTHER SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS" on a track warrant using one of the following examples:

1. "Line (number) of track bulletin NO. ________ is void." The employee will keep a copy of the track warrant or track bulletin that made it void and will write "VOID" in the margin to the left of the line made void.
2. "That part of track bulletin NO. _______ reading (quote the part to be voided) is void."