Last week I saw an unusual movement. A long grain train was traveling east towards Cedar Lake Junction where it joins the BNSF Wayzata Sub and then proceeds east across town. The TCWRR is BRT and the BNSF is CTC. There is an absolute signal at the junction and a distant signal about 5,100 feet in advance. I imagine the grain train had a clear signal and would proceed onto the sub. About 30 seconds later I saw a second train coming up behind the first train. It too was a long grain train and I was surprised to see it running so close behind the first train. It did not look like it was going to stop at the distant signal, which is where they usually stop to wait for a clear signal in order to avoid blocking a road crossing. Could the second train follow the first train through the absolute signal at Cedar Lake or would it have to stop and wait for a clear signal?
Interesting questions. I wish someone could discuss current days rules on such matters. I am most familiar with years much prior. Mention of a second grainer has me thinking of "sections" of trains, years back. I now wonder how similar situations are handled?
If it is an Absolute signal with a STOP indication, it had better STOP until it receives a indication that permits it to proceed. That more permissive indication COULD be as minimal as Restricted Proceed - proceed at not exceeding 15 MPH (20 on some roads) prepared to STOP within 1/2 the range of vision of another train in the same direction or track defect or switch out of alignment. Passing a Absolute Stop signal without the verbal permission of the Train Dispatcher is a firing offense and even with permission the train is to stop at the Absolute Signal and then proceed..
I wondered if the dispatcher could give permission to follow the first train through the junction at restricted speed. I've never seen two trains so close behind each other. Trains typically go through here at 10-15 mph.
Under my former employers rules, even if the second train had been given the Dispatchers permission to pass the STOP signal, the train is still required to STOP before passing the signal, after stopping it can then proceed at Restricted Speed.
I’ve seen Minnesota Commercial call two to three trains in as one to the BNSF dispatch to cross BNSF trackage. They did it for a few years then I think they got caught, so they started coupling them together when they got to the diamond. They would cross over, uncouple and go about their business. Where there is a rule, there is someone who will bend it.
Thanks for elaborating, mmi16. I wish I had gone back to Cedar Lake Junction to see how it all played out, but I had already put about 38 miles on the bike and was ready for home.
And when they bend the rules - they too will be caught - either by Supervision or by ACCIDENT with cars on the ground, injury, death or HAZMAT spill or all of the bad happenings.
Rules on the railroads are created out of spilled blood and damaged property. Those that attempt to short cut them generally aren't aware why they were created and most times they were created to prevent the short cut being taken.
I was thinking that after your first post. I wondered how much leeway dispatchers and train crews had if they coordinated their actions because the signal system does not. If everyone agrees then shuffle through the junction. I imagine TC&W block register territory allows for two trains in the same block so long as all crews are aware of each other. Coupling together to move across a diamond seems more like pragmatic rather than rule cutting. I appreciate your insight.
The only reason I knew TC&W used BRT was the trackside sign proclaiming "END BRT" about a half mile in advance of the distant signal to Cedar Lake. BRT does allow for two trains in the same block: "Generally, only one train can occupy block register territory at a time. Additional trains are only allowed to occupy the block if the operator of the incoming train has contacted all of the other employees named in the open entries in the block register. Train movements are then made at restricted speed, a low enough speed that the train could stop within half the distance between it and an oncoming train or obstacle." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_register_territory
