Abbreviations included in parentheses are authorized for use in Timetables, Bulletin Orders, and Form D's.
 
ABSOLUTE BLOCK: A block that must not be occupied by more than one train.

AUTOMATIC BLOCK SIGNAL: A block signal that is activated either by track circuit or in conjunction with interlocking or controlled point circuits. This block signal automatically indicates track condition and block occupancy.

AUTOMATIC BLOCK SIGNAL SYSTEM (ABS): A block signal system in which the use of each block is governed by an automatic block signal, cab signal, or both.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN STOP (ATS): A device on an engine which will cause a penalty application of the brakes if the engineer fails to acknowledge a cab signal change to a more restrictive indication.

AVENUE (Ave)

BLOCK: A length of track with defined limits on which train movements are governed by block signals, cab signals, or Form D.
 
BLOCK SIGNAL: A fixed signal displayed to trains at the entrance of a block to govern use of that block.

BLOCKING DEVICE: A lever, plug, ring, or other method of control that restricts the operation of a switch or signal.

BLOCKING DEVICE APPLIED (BDA)

BLOCKING DEVICE REMOVED (BDR)

BLUE SIGNAL: A clearly distinguishable blue flag, blue light or blue tag by day, or a blue light or blue tag by night. When displayed, it signifies that workers are on, under or between equipment.

BOLT-LOCK SWITCH: A hand-operated switch equipped with a pipe connected locking device that is designed to shunt the signal system before the switch points are operated.
 
BULLETIN ORDER (BO): A publication used to notify employees of changes to rules, procedures, or other instructions affecting the movement of trains. Bulletin Orders are issued periodically by the designated officer.
 
CAB SIGNAL: A signal that is located in the engine control compartment and which indicates track occupancy or condition. The cab signal is used in conjunction with interlocking signals and with or in lieu of block signals.

CAB SIGNAL SYSTEM (CSS)

CAMP CAR: Any on-track vehicle, except a wreck train, that is used to house railroad employees.

CAR SHOP REPAIR TRACK AREA: One or more tracks within an area in which the testing, servicing, repairing, inspecting, or rebuilding of cars is under the exclusive control of mechanical department personnel.
 
CONDUCTOR (Cndr)

CONDUCTOR and ENGINEER (C&E)

CONTROL STATION: The Dispatcher's office or the location where the Operator is on duty, from which remote control signal appliances or switches are operated.
 
CONTROLLED POINT (CP): A station designated in the Timetable where signals are remotely controlled from the control station.

CONTROLLED SIDING (CS): A circuited siding in which both ends are controlled and governed by signals under the control of a Dispatcher or Operator.
 
CONTROLLED SIGNAL: A fixed signal, capable of displaying Stop indication, that is controlled by a Dispatcher or Operator.

CROSSOVER: A combination of two switches connecting two adjacent tracks. When lined, this switch combination allows movements to cross from one track to the other.
 
CURRENT OF TRAFFIC: The assigned direction of movement on a Rule 251 main track, as specified in the Timetable.

DERAIL: A track safety device designed to guide a car off the rails at a selected spot as a means of protection against collisions or other accidents.

DISPATCHER (Dspr)

DISTANT SIGNAL: A fixed signal used to govern the approach of a train to a home signal.

DIVISION: That portion of the railroad system assigned to the supervision of a Superintendent.

DIVISION NOTICE (DN): A publication issued periodically by the designated officer, which contains instructions or information which do not affect the movement of trains.

DUAL CONTROL SWITCH: A power-operated switch also equipped for hand operation.

EFFECTIVE LOCKING DEVICE: A switch padlock that is vandal and tamper resistant, and can be unlocked only by the class, group or craft of employees that applied it.

EFFECTIVE SECURING DEVICE: A device applied to secure a manually operated switch or derail for the protection of Roadway Workers. The device must be vandal and tamper resistant, and designed to be applied, secured, uniquely tagged and removed only by the class, group or craft of employees for whom the protection is provided.

ELECTRICALLY LOCKED SWITCH: A hand-operated switch equipped with an electrically controlled device that restricts the movement of the switch.

ENGINE (Eng): A unit or combination of units propelled by any form of energy and operated from a single control, used in train or yard service. The word “engine” may also be used to identify control cars.
 
ENGINE SERVICING TRACK AREA: One or more tracks within an area in which the testing, servicing, repairing, inspecting, or rebuilding of engines is under the exclusive control of mechanical department personnel.

ENGINEER (Engr)

EXTRA TRAIN: A train not designated by a Timetable schedule.

FIXED SIGNAL: A signal at a fixed location that affects the movement of a train.

FOREMAN (Frm)

FORM D CONTROL SYSTEM (DCS): A block system, signaled or non-signaled, in which the movement of trains outside of yard limits is authorized by Form D.

FREIGHT (Frt)

GENERAL ORDER (GO): A publication used to summarize changes to the Timetable and other instruction manuals. General Orders contain revision pages for the Timetable and are issued periodically by the designated officer.

HOME SIGNAL: A fixed signal governing entrance to an interlocking or controlled point.

INDUSTRIAL TRACK (Ind): A track other than a main track, running track, siding or yard track, upon which movements must be made at Restricted Speed.

INTERLOCKING (Int): An interconnection of signals and signal appliances such that their movements must succeed each other in a predetermined sequence, assuring that signals cannot be displayed simultaneously on conflicting routes. Interlocking rules are in effect in an interlocking.

INTERLOCKING APPLIANCES: The parts of an interlocking that are capable of movement—switches, derails, locks, movable point frogs, movable bridges, etc.

INTERLOCKING LIMITS: The tracks between the opposing home signals of an interlocking.
 
INTERLOCKING SIGNALS: The fixed signals of an interlocking.

INTERLOCKING STATION: A location from which an interlocking is operated.

JUNCTION (Jct): A location designated by the Timetable where two or more railroad lines converge.

MAIN TRACK: A track designated by Timetable upon which train movements are authorized by ABS, DCS, or interlocking rules.

MAINTENANCE OF WAY (MW)

MARKER: A reflector, flag, or highly visible marking device, in the red-orange-amber color range, affixed to the rear of a train to indicate that the train is complete.

MILE POST (MP)

MILES PER HOUR (MPH)

MOVABLE POINT FROG: A frog with a moving alignment, allowing open flangeway for train movement.

MOVEMENT PERMIT FORM D: A form containing written authorization(s), restriction(s), or instruction(s), issued by the Dispatcher to specified individuals.
 
NUMBER (No.)

OCCUPIED CAMP CAR SIGNAL: A white circular sign with black letters, which must be supplemented by a white light at night. When displayed, it signifies that employees are in, around, or in the vicinity of camp cars.

OPERATOR (Opr)

OVERHEAD BRIDGE (OH Br)

PANEL BLOCKING DEVICE APPLIED (PBDA)

PANEL BLOCKING DEVICE REMOVED (PBDR)

PASSENGER (Psgr)

PILOT: An employee assigned to a train or track car when the Engineer, Conductor or Track Car Driver is not qualified on the physical characteristics or the operating rules of the territory to be traversed.

PUSH-PULL TRAIN: A passenger train with a Multiple Unit (MU) or control car on either end.
 
RETURN MOVEMENT: The movement of an uncoupled engine (or engines) or leading portion of a train, directed back toward the remaining stationary portion of the same train.

REVERSE MOVEMENT: A movement opposite the direction previously authorized.

ROADWAY WORKER: Any employee of a railroad, or of a contractor to a railroad, whose duties include and who is engaged in the inspection, construction, maintenance or repair of railroad track, bridges, roadway, signal and communications systems, electric traction systems, roadway facilities or roadway maintenance machinery on or near the track or with the potential of fouling a track, and employees responsible for their protection.

RULES-IN-EFFECT: The specific operating rule or group of operating rules that govern the use of tracks, as designated by the Timetable.

RUNNING TRACK: A designated track on which movements may be made by signal indication or at Restricted Speed under the authority of an employee designated in the Timetable.

SCHEDULE: The part of the Timetable that prescribes direction, number, frequency, and times for movement of designated trains.

SCHEDULED TRAIN: A train designated by Timetable Schedule.

SEMI-AUTOMATIC SWITCH: A hand-operated switch that is designed to be trailed through in either position. The switch points stay in the position last used.
 
SIDING: A track adjacent to a main track and used for meeting or passing trains.

SIGNAL (Sig)

SIGNAL ASPECT: The signal appearance, which conveys an indication as viewed either (1) from the direction of an approaching train, or (2) on the cab signal display unit in the engine control compartment.

SIGNAL INDICATION: The required action conveyed by the aspect of a signal.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTION (SI)

SPEED CONTROL: A device on an engine which will cause a penalty application of the brakes if the engineer fails to reduce the train's speed to the speed required by the cab signal indication.

SPEEDS:
    NORMAL SPEED: The maximum authorized speed.
    LIMITED SPEED: For passenger trains, not exceeding 45 MPH; for freight trains, not exceeding 40 MPH.
    MEDIUM SPEED: Not exceeding 30 MPH.
    SLOW SPEED: Not exceeding 15 MPH.
    RESTRICTED SPEED: (Refer to Rule 80, “Movement at Restricted Speed.”)

SPRING SWITCH: A hand-operated switch that is designed to be trailed through in either position. The switch points automatically return to their original position after being trailed through.

STATION: A place designated on the station pages of the Timetable by name.

STREET (St)

SWITCH (Sw)

TEMPORARY BLOCK STATION (TBS): A manned station that is established by Bulletin Order or Form D to control the movement of trains.

TIMETABLE: A printed booklet that contains schedules and/or special instructions affecting the movement of trains.

TRACK (Trk)

TRACK BARRICADE: A designated sign or obstruction fastened to a track that prevents access to the track.
 
TRACK CAR (TC): Equipment, other than trains, operated on a track for inspection or maintenance. Track cars might not shunt track circuits.

TRAIN: An engine with or without cars.

UNDERGRADE BRIDGE (UG Br)

YARD: A system of tracks used for the making up of trains and storing of cars. Movements in a yard must be made at Restricted Speed.

YARD LIMITS: The main track area between Yard Limit signs as designated in the Timetable. Movements within Yard Limits are governed by Rule 93.

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