ERIE RAILROAD COMPANY

TRAIN DISPATCHERS’
BLOCK SYSTEM RULES

Effective May 1st, 1936

TRAIN DISPATCHERS’
BLOCK SYSTEM RULES

The rules herein set forth govern such parts of the railroad operated by the Erie Railroad Company, New York, Susquehanna and Western Railroad Company, Wilkes-Barre and Eastern Railroad Company, The New Jersey and New York Railroad Company, Bath and Hammondsport Railroad Company, and Chicago and Erie Railroad Company, as are designated in employes’ time-tables. They take effect May lst, 1936, superseding all previous rules and instructions inconsistent therewith.

The rules herein continue in full force and effect, notwithstanding any violation thereof, and can only be abrogated by authority of the Vice-President.

Special instructions not conflicting with these rules may be issued by proper authority.

H. J. BORDWELL,
F. W. ROSSER,
General Managers

Approved: R. E. WOODRUFF,
Vice-President.

5.  Signals must be kept in position displaying the most restrictive indication, except when displayed for an immediate movement, upon authority of Train Dispatcher.

6.  When a train order is to be delivered to a train the fixed signal must be displayed at STOP for the track and in the direction of the approaching train, and a flag or light must be displayed in the place provided for that purpose, a red flag or red light indicating "31" orders or "19" orders that restrict the superiority of the train at that point, a yellow flag or yellow light indicating other "19" orders.

This combination of signals must be acknowledged by the engineman by two short sounds of engine whistle. In delivering "19" orders that restrict the superiority of train addressed at that point, the fixed signal must remain at STOP until such orders have been delivered, and in delivering "31" orders the fixed signals must remain at STOP until the order is delivered in accordance with Rule 210, Rules of the Operating Department, effective July 1st, 1930. In delivering "19" orders without stopping a train, the Operator must, after the signal has been acknowledged, leave the "19" train order signal displayed until the orders have been delivered, place the fixed signal at its proper position as authorized by Train Dispatcher, go on the ground and hand the orders to the engineman and conductor. For freight trains, the

conductor’s copy must be handed on caboose.

When the "19" train order signal is displayed, the speed of the train must be reduced sufficiently to enable the operator to deliver the order. If the engineman fails to catch the order, the train must be stopped and not proceed without a proper train order.

If a signal is not displayed at a night office, trains which have not been notified must stop and ascertain the cause and report the facts to the Superintendent from the next available point of communication.

7.  Trains or engines must not accept and proceed on PROCEED indication of block signals unless normal running time can be made to the next open block signal office, in accordance with Rule S-87, Rules of the Operating Department.

8.  Trains or engines receiving STOP indication of block signals must make full stop before passing signal, and may then proceed after receiving proper indication of block signal, Clearance Form A or B, or both when required, except as outlined in Rule 9.

9.  At meeting or passing points where it is necessary for trains or engines to pass STOP signal to pull into side track, or to do station work, or to let another train pull out of side track, they may do so after being so authorized by signalman, but must not depart until proper signal indication has been

displayed, Clearance Form A or B, or both when required, have been issued.

10.  When more than one train has been permitted to pass STOP signal to take siding, or to allow other trains to leave siding as provided under Rule 9, the display of PERMISSIVE or PROCEED signal indication will allow only the leading train to proceed, and after the leading train has departed, signal must again be placed at STOP indication until such time as Train Dispatcher authorizes the movement of following trains. This procedure to be followed until last train affected has moved.

11.  As soon as train is clear of main track at meeting points, conductor must report fact to signalman so that opposing trains may be released or allowed to pass without stopping, and must not again obstruct main track without proper authority or permission from signalman.

12.  When a signalman is unable to communicate with Train Dispatcher, he must stop all trains, confer with engineman and conductor of each train stopped, develop from them their time-table or train order authority, and, providing such authority is not restricted at his station, furnish engineman and conductor with Forms A and B properly filled in and permit trains to proceed as though PERMISSIVE signal had been displayed, spacing trains ten (10) minutes

apart. Signalman must, however, if possible, first ascertain from the signalman at the next block station that no opposing train is in the block and arrange with him to hold any that might approach. Until means of communication with Train Dispatcher have been restored, fixed signal will remain in STOP position at all times.

13.  When, from the failure of block signal apparatus, a block signal cannot be changed from its most restrictive indication, signalman, having information from Train Dispatcher that the block is clear, may admit a train into the block by the use of Clearance Form A. If the block is occupied by a train, other than an opposing train or a passenger train, the signalman may admit a following train by the use of Clearance Form B, when so authorized by Train Dispatcher.

14.  Enginemen and conductors being furnished with Forms A and B, under circumstances outlined in Rule 12, must report facts to Train Dispatcher from next open telegraph or telephone office after passing point at which such forms were furnished them.

15.  A train or engine must not be admitted to a block following a preceding train carrying passengers, except in case of emergency and then only as provided by Rule 12 or by train order.

16.  Signalmen at block stations will report as early as possible the approach of each engine or train and obtain instructions from Train Dispatcher as to signal indication that shall be displayed.

17.  When signalman reports the approach of an engine or train, the Train Dispatcher will give instructions as to which signal indication will be displayed. The signalman will report "No._______ or Extra_______ is coming"; to which the Train Dispatcher will authorize "STOP", "PERMISSIVE", or "CLEAR" as circumstances require, signing his initials. The signalman will repeat this signal back to Train Dispatcher before displaying authorized signal, giving his initials and office call, and display signal as ordered. A record must be maintained by the signalman on his block record of all signal indications authorized and the time authorized. When practicable, Train Dispatcher will authorize the signal indication in advance of arrival of train in order to prevent unnecessary stops of trains.

18.  Signalmen must report departure of trains or engines promptly, but not until the rear of train has passed and signal restored to normal position.

19.  Conducton and enginemen are responsible for noting the indication of block signals, and will be held equally responsible for their observance.

20.  A train admitted to a block in which it will meet an opposing train must receive a train order governing its movement at the point of entrance of block, in addition to any train order of same nature previously issued, and may then enter block on PERMISSIVE signal indication and Forms A and B properly executed. Form "19" train order may be used, except that when a train carrying passengers is involved Form "31" train order must be issued to all trains affected.

21.  During foggy or stormy weather, or under any other conditions causing poor visibility, not more than one train or engine will be permitted to occupy a block at the same time. Signalmen must keep Train Dispatchers advised as to prevailing weather conditions at all times (Rule 837, Rules of the Operating Department).

22.  Train Dispatchers’ Block System Rules are supplemental to, and are not to be construed as relieving employes of the observance of Rules of the Operating Department, effective July 1st, 1930.

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