Track warrant

Track warrants are systematized permissions used on some railroad lines to authorize a train's use of the main line. Dispatchers issue these permissions to train crews instead of using signals. The crews receive track warrants by radio, phone, or electronic transmission from a dispatcher.

Operation

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.

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.

Maintenance of Way crews receive track bulletins (usually called "Form A's", "Form B's" or "Form C's") 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.

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, 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 Rail America, use additional boxes:

• 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: _________ .

Use of track warrants on specific railroads

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) on its Forsyth Subdivision between Jones Jct. (a suburb of Billings, Montana) and Hysham, Montana. Unlike the El Paso Subdivision, ABS is used. 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).

See also

• Dark territory (North American terminology for unsignalled tracks)
• Direct traffic control
• Radio Electronic Token Block
• Rail terminology
• Train order

References

• Trainweb.com. Suggested Track Warrant Form. General Code of Operating Rules. Accessed 2010-05-28.
• RailroadControls.com. "Transmitting Track Warrants and Track Bulletins." Accessed 2010-05-28.
• Carsten S. Lundstein (1998). Illustration of Track Warrant Control