Main Track Protection

Blue Signal: Displayed at each end of the rolling equipment, and attached to the controlling locomotive.

Question: What’s the risk if railroad employees place portable derails on a main track, and what should you do if you see this?

Protection on Other Than Main Track

Blue signal displayed at or near each manually operated switch providing access to that track, each switch lined against movement and locked with an effective locking device and blue signal attached to controlling locomotives. Blue signal must be displayed no farther into the track than the fouling point. Rolling equipment may enter or depart the protected track only after all work activity has ceased, and the workers have been notified to stand clear, and blue signal protection has been removed from the switch through which the equipment will move.

Crossover Switches: Both switches of each crossover must be lined against movement through the crossover toward that rolling equipment. The switch of each crossover that provides access to the rolling equipment must have a blue signal displayed and be lined against movement & locked with an effective locking device (for manual switches). This seems simple enough, but it can get tricky. When you evaluate crossover switches, be careful.

Alternate Protection: Derail will fulfill requirements of a manual switch when positioned no less than 150 feet from the end of the equipment. Derail must be locked in a derailing position and blue signal must be displayed at each derail.

Remotely Controlled Switches:

• Person in charge of workers notifies the operator.
• Operator lines against movement & applies an effective locking device.
• Operator advises protection has been provided.
• Effective locking device may be a plug or key.
• A written tag that does not prevent a lever or button from being manipulated would NOT comply.
• Operator maintains for 15 days a written record of each notification.