A track warrant is a set of instructions issued to a train crew authorizing specific train movements. The system is widely used in North America.[citation needed] The warrant is issued by the train dispatcher and delivered to the train crew via radio. The train crew copies the instructions onto a pre-printed paper form and reads back the warrant to ensure that nothing was misunderstood.[1]
Track warrants are issued granting main track use between two named points (i.e. milepost sign, station, and/or any fixed physical point, such as a switch). The dispatcher may also issue time constraints (known as "Box 6" on a standard form), although the track warrants remain in effect until cleared by a member of the receiving crew. Track warrants are sometimes used in conjunction with a block signal system to provide rear-end protection against following trains.[2][better source needed]
Track warrants usually allow a train to move in one direction only—a "Proceed" instruction. Sometimes a train may also be given authorizing movements in either direction, called a "Work between" instruction. However, only one train can have a section of track at one particular time if moving in the same direction. If there are two trains moving in the same direction, the leading train must give up the track before the trailing train can obtain a track warrant for that territory. For example, if Train 56 has a track warrant to proceed in the northbound direction from MP (milepost) 14 to MP 77 and there is a train following, then Train 56 must give up a portion or all of its warrant before the following train can be issued the track that Train 56 has already cleared. Many times this is accomplished by the dispatcher asking the leading train for their milepost location and then issuing a warrant up to that point to the trailing train. Continuing the previous example, if Train 56 is clear of MP 50, the dispatcher can issue a warrant to the trailing train up to MP 50, but not beyond it. Once a train has received a new track warrant or has left track warrant territory they will release the entirety of their warrant back to the dispatcher.[3][better source needed]
Maintenance of Way crews receive track bulletins (usually called "Form A", "Form B" or "Form C") in order to perform track work that would otherwise be interrupted by passing trains. This is done by providing the maintenance crew with a form or protection, or allowing work to be done behind a passing train.[4]
Comparison with Direct Traffic Control
Track Warrant Control is similar to yet distinct from the concept of Direct Traffic Control (DTC), appearing later as railroads migrated fully from older forms of Train order operation. DTC was designed to facilitate the movement of trains using concepts of blocks and sidings previously used with Train Orders. DTC is only a mechanism to transfer movement authority and can only work within an arrangement of predefined blocks.[5] Track Warrant systems appropriate the remaining responsibility of Train Order systems to notify operating personnel of safety directives that include things like temporary speed restrictions, tracks out of service, etc. and combines them with the movement authority function of DTC. Furthermore, Track Warrants are not limited to fixed blocks and can be issued and released from almost any explicitly identified landmark along the rail line.[6]
Standard instructions used in track warrants
Most track warrants in the U.S. follow a standard form as suggested by the General Code of Operating Rules,[7] consisting of several standard instructions to mark specific notes or conditions for a warrant. These vary from temporary speed restrictions to rules regarding meeting other trains.
Box 1. Void on a previous warrant.
Box 2. Proceed from point to point.
Box 3. Proceed from point to point (cont.)
Box 4. Work between certain limits.
Box 5. Not in effect until ____ .
Box 6. Authority expires at ____ .
Box 7. Not in effect until after the arrival of ____ at ____ .
Box 8. Hold main track at last named point.
Box 9. Do not foul limits ahead of ____ .
Box 10. Clear main track at last named point.
Box 11. Between ____ and ____ make all movements at restricted speed: limits occupied by train.
Box 12. Between ____ and ____ make all movements at restricted speed: limits occupied by men or equipment.
Box 13. Do not exceed ____ mph between _____ and ____ .
Box 14. Do not exceed ____ mph between _____ and ____ .
Box 15. Flag protection not required against following trains on same track.
Box 18. Joint with _____ between ____________ and _____________ .
Box 19. Expect to find the following switch(es) lined and locked in the reverse position: _________ .
Box 20. The following switch(es) may be left lined and locked in the reverse position: _________ .
Non-GCOR Track Warrant systems include the NORAC Form D Control System (DCS) which was later partly adopted by CSX to supplant its older DTC system.[citation needed]
The BNSF Railway uses track warrants on its El Paso Subdivision which runs from Belen, New Mexico to El Paso, Texas, with the dispatcher in Fort Worth, Texas. There are no electrical signals on the route. BNSF also uses TWC (Track Warrant Control) between Williams, AZ (Seligman Subdivision) to Phoenix, AZ (Phoenix Subdivision), Forsyth Subdivision between Jones Jct. (a suburb of Billings, Montana) and Hysham, Montana. Unlike the El Paso Subdivision, ABS is used. And on the Madill Subdivision between Denison, TX and Irving, TX with an ABS signal overlay on the northern ten or so miles between Denison and Sherman, TX. Track Warrant Control is also used in many other lower to medium traffic volume sections of the BNSF system, sometimes with an automatic block signal system overlay, and on the other class one railroads as well. Some smaller Class II railroads, such as the Iowa Interstate Railroad, and many Class III railroads are dispatched completely by track warrant.
Canadian railways use a similar system called Occupancy Control System (OCS), in which movements are controlled via clearances issued over the radio from the Rail Traffic Controller to the train. The system is in wide use on lines that aren't installed with centralized traffic control (CTC).
In Australia & NZ: The New South Wales Country Regional Network (CRN) uses electronic track warrants (train orders) on 2,400km of track. Functionality includes 'proximity' warnings and 'out of authority' alarms to improve driver situation awareness. The Australian Rail Track Corporation (www.artc.com.au) uses track warrants on several thousand kilemtres of single track line.
KiwiRail in New Zealand also uses track warrants; in 2008 they were required on 2,255 km (1,401 mi), or 56% of KiwiRail's tracks.[8]
See also
Dark territory (North American terminology for unsignaled tracks)
^"Report 08-108, express freight Train 845, track warrant overrun, Reefton–Cronadun, 13 August 2008" (PDF). Transport Accident Investigation Commission.
GCOR Rulebook Sixth Edition
Trainweb.com. Suggested Track Warrant Form. General Code of Operating Rules. Accessed 2010-05-28.
Carsten S. Lundstein (1998). Illustration of Track Warrant Control
January 19, 2023
track, warrant, control, this, article, multiple, issues, please, help, improve, discuss, these, issues, talk, page, learn, when, remove, these, template, messages, examples, perspective, this, article, deal, primarily, with, united, states, canada, represent,. This article has multiple issues Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page Learn how and when to remove these template messages The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with United States and Canada and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject You may improve this article discuss the issue on the talk page or create a new article as appropriate May 2020 Learn how and when to remove this template message This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Track Warrant Control news newspapers books scholar JSTOR May 2020 Learn how and when to remove this template message Learn how and when to remove this template message A track warrant is a set of instructions issued to a train crew authorizing specific train movements The system is widely used in North America citation needed The warrant is issued by the train dispatcher and delivered to the train crew via radio The train crew copies the instructions onto a pre printed paper form and reads back the warrant to ensure that nothing was misunderstood 1 Contents 1 Operation 1 1 Comparison with Direct Traffic Control 2 Standard instructions used in track warrants 3 Use of track warrants on specific railroads 4 See also 5 ReferencesOperation EditTrack warrants are issued granting main track use between two named points i e milepost sign station and or any fixed physical point such as a switch The dispatcher may also issue time constraints known as Box 6 on a standard form although the track warrants remain in effect until cleared by a member of the receiving crew Track warrants are sometimes used in conjunction with a block signal system to provide rear end protection against following trains 2 better source needed Track warrants usually allow a train to move in one direction only a Proceed instruction Sometimes a train may also be given authorizing movements in either direction called a Work between instruction However only one train can have a section of track at one particular time if moving in the same direction If there are two trains moving in the same direction the leading train must give up the track before the trailing train can obtain a track warrant for that territory For example if Train 56 has a track warrant to proceed in the northbound direction from MP milepost 14 to MP 77 and there is a train following then Train 56 must give up a portion or all of its warrant before the following train can be issued the track that Train 56 has already cleared Many times this is accomplished by the dispatcher asking the leading train for their milepost location and then issuing a warrant up to that point to the trailing train Continuing the previous example if Train 56 is clear of MP 50 the dispatcher can issue a warrant to the trailing train up to MP 50 but not beyond it Once a train has received a new track warrant or has left track warrant territory they will release the entirety of their warrant back to the dispatcher 3 better source needed Maintenance of Way crews receive track bulletins usually called Form A Form B or Form C in order to perform track work that would otherwise be interrupted by passing trains This is done by providing the maintenance crew with a form or protection or allowing work to be done behind a passing train 4 Comparison with Direct Traffic Control Edit Track Warrant Control is similar to yet distinct from the concept of Direct Traffic Control DTC appearing later as railroads migrated fully from older forms of Train order operation DTC was designed to facilitate the movement of trains using concepts of blocks and sidings previously used with Train Orders DTC is only a mechanism to transfer movement authority and can only work within an arrangement of predefined blocks 5 Track Warrant systems appropriate the remaining responsibility of Train Order systems to notify operating personnel of safety directives that include things like temporary speed restrictions tracks out of service etc and combines them with the movement authority function of DTC Furthermore Track Warrants are not limited to fixed blocks and can be issued and released from almost any explicitly identified landmark along the rail line 6 Standard instructions used in track warrants EditMost track warrants in the U S follow a standard form as suggested by the General Code of Operating Rules 7 consisting of several standard instructions to mark specific notes or conditions for a warrant These vary from temporary speed restrictions to rules regarding meeting other trains Box 1 Void on a previous warrant Box 2 Proceed from point to point Box 3 Proceed from point to point cont Box 4 Work between certain limits Box 5 Not in effect until Box 6 Authority expires at Box 7 Not in effect until after the arrival of at Box 8 Hold main track at last named point Box 9 Do not foul limits ahead of Box 10 Clear main track at last named point Box 11 Between and make all movements at restricted speed limits occupied by train Box 12 Between and make all movements at restricted speed limits occupied by men or equipment Box 13 Do not exceed mph between and Box 14 Do not exceed mph between and Box 15 Flag protection not required against following trains on same track Box 16 Track bulletins in effect Boxes 17 and 18 Other specific instructions Some railroad systems such as RailAmerica use additional boxes citation needed Box 18 Joint with between and Box 19 Expect to find the following switch es lined and locked in the reverse position Box 20 The following switch es may be left lined and locked in the reverse position Non GCOR Track Warrant systems include the NORAC Form D Control System DCS which was later partly adopted by CSX to supplant its older DTC system citation needed Use of track warrants on specific railroads EditThis section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed December 2018 Learn how and when to remove this template message The BNSF Railway uses track warrants on its El Paso Subdivision which runs from Belen New Mexico to El Paso Texas with the dispatcher in Fort Worth Texas There are no electrical signals on the route BNSF also uses TWC Track Warrant Control between Williams AZ Seligman Subdivision to Phoenix AZ Phoenix Subdivision Forsyth Subdivision between Jones Jct a suburb of Billings Montana and Hysham Montana Unlike the El Paso Subdivision ABS is used And on the Madill Subdivision between Denison TX and Irving TX with an ABS signal overlay on the northern ten or so miles between Denison and Sherman TX Track Warrant Control is also used in many other lower to medium traffic volume sections of the BNSF system sometimes with an automatic block signal system overlay and on the other class one railroads as well Some smaller Class II railroads such as the Iowa Interstate Railroad and many Class III railroads are dispatched completely by track warrant Canadian railways use a similar system called Occupancy Control System OCS in which movements are controlled via clearances issued over the radio from the Rail Traffic Controller to the train The system is in wide use on lines that aren t installed with centralized traffic control CTC In Australia amp NZ The New South Wales Country Regional Network CRN uses electronic track warrants train orders on 2 400km of track Functionality includes proximity warnings and out of authority alarms to improve driver situation awareness The Australian Rail Track Corporation www artc com au uses track warrants on several thousand kilemtres of single track line KiwiRail in New Zealand also uses track warrants in 2008 they were required on 2 255 km 1 401 mi or 56 of KiwiRail s tracks 8 See also EditDark territory North American terminology for unsignaled tracks Direct traffic control Radio Electronic Token Block Rail terminology Train orderReferences Edit Solomon Brian 2010 Railroad Signaling Minneapolis Minnesota Voyageur Press p 135 ISBN 978 0 7603 3881 0 GCOR Sixth Edition Section 14 GCOR Sixth Edition Section 14 3 GCOR Sixth Edition Section 14 5 GCOR Sixth Edition Section 16 CSX Operating Rules 2007 Edition Rules 170 175 180 183 GCOR Sixth Edition section 14 0 Report 08 108 express freight Train 845 track warrant overrun Reefton Cronadun 13 August 2008 PDF Transport Accident Investigation Commission GCOR Rulebook Sixth Edition Trainweb com Suggested Track Warrant Form General Code of Operating Rules Accessed 2010 05 28 Carsten S Lundstein 1998 Illustration of Track Warrant Control Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Track Warrant Control amp oldid 1111013946, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
