The timetable will designate DTC limits. A train may enter DTC block limits only after receiving verbal authority from the train dispatcher. DTC territory will not include territory where Rule 6.13 (Yard Limits) is in effect.
The train dispatcher will issue DTC block authority to a crew member on the head end of the train when possible. An employee operating the controls of a moving train may not copy DTC block authority.
A. Recorded in Writing
The employee who receives or releases DTC block authority must record it in writing and include the following:
Each DTC block record must be kept until the block is released, and the engineer and conductor each must have a copy available.
DTC block authority must not be transferred to a relieving crew, unless authorized to do so by the train dispatcher.
When verbal authority is received from the train dispatcher to leave equipment in a DTC block, the train dispatcher may instruct a crew member to void the DTC block authority.
Employees cannot act upon DTC block authority until the train dispatcher says, '(Train), that is correct." B. Multiple Authorities
Not more than one DTC authority may be issued in the same DTC block except:
Issue Format
One or Two Blocks. The train dispatcher will issue authority and an employee will acknowledge it using the following sample format:
Train Dispatcher: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones at 8:10 AM, you are authorized to proceed Eastward in one block, Anna."
Crew Member: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones at 8:10 AM, I am authorized to proceed Eastward in one block, Anna."
Train Dispatcher: "7241 East, that is correct."
More than Two Blocks. The train dispatcher will issue authority in more than two blocks using the following sample format:
Train Dispatcher: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones at 8:10 AM, you are authorized to proceed Eastward in three blocks, Anna through Cloy."
In non-signaled territory, the train dispatcher may authorize only one following movement at restricted speed behind a train granted Rule 16.3.1 (Directional Authority) authority. Authority may be granted after the train dispatcher is assured the train ahead has passed the point where the following movement will enter the DTC block.
A train granted Rule 16.3.2 (Restricted Authority) must:
Rule 16.3.2 (Restricted Authority) will be issued and acknowledged using the following sample format:
Train Dispatcher: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones at 8:10 AM, you are authorized to proceed Eastward at restricted speed following (train ahead) in one block, Anna."
Crew Member: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones at 8:10 AM, I am authorized to proceed Eastward at restricted speed following (train ahead) in one block, Anna."
Train Dispatcher: "7241 East, that is correct."
When the train ahead has released the DTC block in which Rule 16.3.2 (Restricted Authority) has been granted, the train dispatcher may cancel the restricted speed requirement to the following train. C)nce the restricted speed requirement is cancelled, the train will proceed under Rule 16.3.1 (Directional Authority).
The train dispatcher will cancel the requirement to operate at restricted speed, and the acknowledgment will be made using the following sample format:
Train Dispatcher: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones at 8:30 AM, authority in the Anna block is no longer restricted."
Crew Member: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones at 8:30 AM, authority in the Anna block is no longer restricted."
Train Dispatcher: "7241 East, that is correct."
A. Issue Requirements Work and time authority may be issued to the following:
A train or on-track equipment issued work and time may occupy the designated block and move in either direction. When the block is jointly occupied, trains must move at restricted speed.
A train or employee in charge of on-track equipment granted work and time after the arrival of a specific train must not pass that train within the same block.
B. Issue Format
One or Two Blocks. The train dispatcher will issue work and time and an employee will acknowledge it using the following sample format:
Train Dispatcher: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones, I am granting you work and time in one block, Anna, unfil 10:10 AM."
Crew Member: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones, I am granted work and time in one block, Anna, until 10:10 AM.
Train Dispatcher: "7241 East, that is correct."
More than Two Blocks. The train dispatcher will issue authority in more than two blocks using the following sample format:
Train Dispatcher: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones, I am granting you work and time in 3 blocks, Anna through Cloy, until 10:10 AM."
Unless the train and/or employee in charge of on-track equipment receives a time extension, they must clear the block and report "Released" before the time limit expires.
A train dispatcher must not authorize a train to enter a DTC block under Rule 16.3.1 (Directional Authority) until work and time in that block is released. C. Additional Time
Trains or the employee in charge of on-track equipment must release work and time before the time granted expires. If the train or employee in charge requires additional time, the authority must be obtained from the train dispatcher before time expires. If a train crew member or employee in charge is unable to contact the train dispatcher, and the time limit expires, authority is extended until the train dispatcher is contacted.
When it becomes necessary to change the type of authority previously granted to a train, new authority will be granted in the prescribed manner. After the "(TRAIN ID), that is correct" response is received from the train dispatcher, authority previously granted in each DTC block in which authority was changed becomes void.
The train dispatcher must grant permission for all reverse movements within a DTC block. Permission may be granted when:
No following trains have received authority in that block; or, the block is occupied by a following train, and the train dispatcher has verified that the following train has stopped and will remain stopped until movement is complete.
A train or employee in charge of on-track equipment has not received Rule 16.4 (Work and Time) within that block.
Unless the train dispatcher specifies otherwise, when a train with directional authority clears a DTC block, an employee will immediately release it to the train dispatcher. The train must not re-enter the DTC block it has been released from.
A. Release Format
One or Two Blocks. An employee will release a DTC block, and the train dispatcher will acknowledge it using the following sample format:
Crew Member: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones, I am releasing one block Anna."
Train Dispatcher: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones, you are releasing one block Anna."
Crew Member: "Train dispatcher, that is correct."
More than Two Blocks. An employee will release more than two blocks using the following sample format:
Crew Member: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones, I am releasing three blocks, Anna through Cloy."
A DTC block is not released until the employee releasing the block reports, "Train dispatcher, that is correct." B. Operating in Non-Signaled or Double Track Territory
In non-signaled or double track territory, a train without a crew member on the rear of the train may release a DTC block only when the complete train is clear of the limits, which is determined by one of the following:
In addition, a train clearing in a siding or other track must comply with requirements outlined in Rule 8.3 (Main Track Switches) before reporting clear of the limits.
The train dispatcher must notify the engineer before withdrawing previously issued DTC block authority. If a train is not occupying the block or blocks, an employee will release them using the format in Rule 16.7 (Releasing DTC Block Authority).
If communication fails, a third party may relay the authority to enter and/or release a DTC block as follows:
