Track cars do not reliably activate track circuits (shunt the track). For this reason the movement of track cars requires a separate category of rules that provide for the necessary protection of these movements.

800. Foremen and Track Car Drivers: Responsibilities, Governing Rules, Qualifications
Foremen and Track Car Drivers will be in charge of the track cars under their jurisdiction. They will be governed by the rules and special instructions that apply to trains, except as modified by the rules governing Movement of Track Cars. Foremen and Track Car Drivers must be qualified on the Operating Rules, Timetable and physical characteristics of the territory on which they are to operate.

801. Inspection of Track Cars
The Foreman or Track Car Driver must perform a visual inspection to see that the track car is in safe operating condition before operating it. Track cars must not be operated if found in an unsafe condition.

802. Rules and Signals
ABS rules, DCS rules, and numbered automatic block signals do not apply to the movement of track cars.

Track cars must approach interlocking signals, controlled point signals, and unnumbered automatic block signals prepared to stop.

803. Placing or Operating Track Cars on Tracks

a. Tracks Where ABS or DCS Rules are in Effect

Form D line 2 and line 3 is the authority for the movement of track cars and must be obtained before track cars are placed or operated on a track where ABS or DCS rules are in effect. Three exceptions are:

1. Track car movements within yard limits in non-signaled DCS territory may be made with verbal permission of the Dispatcher (or Operator when authorized by the Dispatcher).
2. Track car movements at an interlocking may be made one track car length beyond the home signal into ABS or DCS territory. Such movements require verbal permission of the Dispatcher (or Operator when authorized by the Dispatcher).
3. Track car movements that will be performing maintenance within Working Limits may be made on verbal permission of the employee in charge as prescribed by Rule 135, part (d), “Movements within Working Limits.”

Before issuing Form D lines 2 and 3 or granting verbal permission for a track car to shift at an interlocking as outlined in item (2) above, the Dispatcher must ensure that:

1. No trains have been authorized to move in the direction of the point to be occupied,
AND
2. Signals governing opposing and following movements are in Stop position,
AND
3. Blocking devices are applied to protect against opposing and following movements.

The Dispatcher must issue a copy of the Form D to all Operators involved.

b. Tracks Where ABS or DCS Rules Are Not in Effect

On tracks where ABS or DCS rules are not in effect and an employee is in charge of the track, track cars must not be placed or operated on the track unless authorized by that employee. Where no employee is in charge of the track, track cars may occupy the track without permission.

804. Additions to Form D Line 2
The Dispatcher may direct addressee(s) to add additional line 2 authorities to a specified direction Form D which is still in effect providing no new trains or track cars have been authorized to operate within the limits of the additional line 2. Before issuing additional line 2 authorities, protection as prescribed by Rule 803, “Placing or Operating Track Cars on Tracks”, must be applied.

Additional line 2 authorities will be added as follows:

1. The Dispatcher must contact the addressee(s), state his intent to give them an additional line 2 authority, and state the number and date of the Form D to which the line 2 authority will be added.
2. The Dispatcher will then transmit the additional line 2 authority and his initials. The addressee(s) will repeat the authority. The Dispatcher must not transmit the “time” of the addition to the addressee(s) until they have correctly repeated the authority. The addressee(s) must not act upon the additional authority until they receive the “time” of the addition.
3. The Dispatcher and the addressee(s) must record all additional information on line 2 of their Form D.

When an additional line 2 authority is given to a track car, Form D line 3 authority may be issued or extended to authorize the track car to proceed past Stop Signal(s) at interlockings or controlled points. The Dispatcher must not transmit the “time” of the addition to the addressee(s) for the line 2 authority until the addressee(s) have correctly repeated both the line 2 and line 3. The Dispatcher and the addressee(s) must record all information on lines 2 and 3 of their Form D.

805. Track Car Following Other Movements
A track car with a specified direction Form D line 2 authority may be permitted to follow a train or another track car when Form D line 3 specifies the train or track car ahead. When no trains or track cars are ahead, “NONE” must be written on line 3 of Form D. When line 3 indicates a train or track car ahead, speed must be regulated as follows:

1. Passenger and truck type highway rail cars must operate at a speed that will allow stopping within one-half the range of vision, short of a train or track car.
2. All other track cars must operate at Restricted Speed.

When the train or track car ahead clears the limits of the following track car's line 2 authority, the Dispatcher may authorize the following track car to operate at Normal Speed. To make this authorization, the Dispatcher must instruct the Track Car Driver or Foreman to add the words, “[insert applicable train or track car number] is clear at [time] [Dispatcher's initials]” to line 13 of the original Form D.

806. Train Following Track Car
Except in an emergency, a train must not be permitted to follow a track car into ABS or DCS territory. In an emergency, the Dispatcher may permit a train to follow a track car by issuing Form D line 2 and line 3 authority. The Dispatcher must instruct the train to operate at Restricted Speed on Form D line 13.

807. Interlockings and Controlled Points

a. Form D Authorization

A Form D authorizing movement to an interlocking or controlled point permits movement only to the signal at the entrance to the final interlocking or controlled point named in the Form D.

b. Dispatcher's or Operator's Responsibilities

The Dispatcher or Operator must properly line the route for the movement of track cars at interlockings and controlled points. Signals governing movement to tracks other than ABS or DCS tracks may be displayed. Signals must not be displayed for movement to ABS or DCS tracks.

c. Authorization Past Stop Signal

Verbal permission in accordance with Rule 241 or Form D line 3 will authorize a track car to proceed past a Stop Signal at an interlocking or controlled point. Movement must be made at Restricted Speed through interlocking limits or until controlled points have been cleared.

d. Reporting Clear

Unless otherwise instructed, the Foreman or Track Car Driver must report clear of all interlockings and controlled points.

808. Clearing a Track Specified on Form D Line 2
When a track car clears the track specified on Form D line 2, the Form D authorizing the use of the track is fulfilled, and a new Form D must be issued for any further movement. The Foreman or Track Car Driver must report clear to the Dispatcher or Operator.

809. Specified Directions and Specified Limits

To make a reverse movement, a track car authorized by Form D line 2 to operate in a specified direction must follow one of the procedures listed below:

1. The track car must receive another Form D, line 2 to operate in the opposite direction.
OR
2. The track car may make a reverse movement at Restricted Speed. Reverse movement must not go beyond the last whole mile post or station.

A track car with Form D authority to operate in both directions may operate in either direction. When authority for movement in both directions is authorized, the Dispatcher must not authorize additional movements within the specified limits.

810. Opposing Movements of Track Cars
The Dispatcher may permit opposing movements of track cars between 2 TBS's, interlockings or controlled points, only if the movements are restricted to separate portions of the block.

811. Highway Crossings
Track cars must approach highway crossings prepared to stop. They must give highway traffic the right-of-way.

812. Operating Over Switches and Movable Point Frogs
Track cars must not pass over switches or movable point frogs until it is determined that such appliances are properly lined.

Track cars must not trail through spring switches or semi-automatic switches unless such switches are properly lined.

813. Movement of Multiple Track Cars
Multiple track cars operating on the same Form D line 2 authority must regulate their speed to permit stopping short of equipment ahead.

The employee addressed in the Form D must inform other employees operating under his jurisdiction of the contents of the Form D before acting upon it. If necessary, drivers of additional track cars must remind the employee addressed in the Form D of the contents of the authority.

814. Displaying Lights
When they are so equipped, track cars must display a white light to the front and a red light to the rear under the following conditions:

1. When visibility is restricted.
2. When passing through tunnels.
3. At night.

Highway rail vehicles must have headlights on high beam when moving on any track.

815. Maximum Speeds
Track cars must not exceed the maximum freight train speed. In addition, the following maximum speeds apply to the movement of track cars:

EXCEPTIONS: The following “Specialized Equipment” is not required to be stopped while being passed by a train on an adjacent track:

1. Rail Grinders
2. Switch Grinders
3. Rail Detector Cars
4. Geometry Cars
5. GRMS (Gage Restraint Measurement System)
6. Catenary Repair Cars

816. Unattended On-track Equipment
When any type of on-track equipment is not continuously attended by the employee in charge of the equipment, the equipment must be secured to prevent movement.

The Digitized Conductor - Version 1.0
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