CTC - Centralized Traffic Control Day 1 &
2 questions with correct Answers
10.1 Authority to Enter CTC Limits/Signal Governing Movement Over a Hand-Operated
Switch - answer CTC limits are designated in the timetable. Sidings within CTC limits
are controlled sidings and are governed by CTC rules.
A train must not enter or occupy any track where CTC is in effect unless a control signal
displays a proceed indication or the control operator authorizes: Signal or Verbal
Authority.
3 types of verbal authority:
1. Movement past a Stop indication under rule 9.12.1 (CTC Territory)
2. A train to enter track between block signals as follows:
"(Train) at (Location) has authority to enter (track) and proceed (direction)."
3. Track and Time under Rule 10.3 (Track and Time)Signal Governing Movement Over
a Hand-Operated Switch
If a signal governs movement over a hand-operated switch that is not electrically locked,
the control operator must authorize the train to enter or occupy any track where CTC is
in effect before the switch is opened. After the switch is opened, if the signal does not
display a proceed indication, a crew member must wait 10 minutes at the switch. After
the 10 minute wait, if the signal does not display a proceed indication, move the train at
restricted speed and notify the control operator.
However, if the block to be entered is occupied by its own standing train or when the
hand-operated switch remains opne, the movement may, after stopping, pass an
absolute signal displaying a Stop indication without waiting 10 minutes and without
contacting the control operator.
24.1 Authority to Enter CTC Limits - answer Before verbally authorizing train to enter
CTC between block signals and operates in a specified direction:
1. It must be known that no conflicting movement is occupying or authorized to enter the
track. If authority is to be granted behind train(s), notify train entering CTC of this
condition of authority.
2. Set Signals governing access into the area to be occupied to Stop and apply blocking
mechanism(s) to prevent unauthorized movement into protected area.
3. If in PTC territory, the Enter/Pass Authority (EPA) function is used.
Use verbal format: "(Train ID) AT (Location) HAS AUTHORITY TO ENTER (Track) AND
PROCEED (Direction)."
5 Steps to get you there everytime: CSBAM
1. Conflicting Moves
2. Set Signals to Stop
3. Blocking Mechanism
4. Authorize Move
5. Move Train Symbol
, 6.13 Yard Limits (just CTC portion) - answer Within yard limits, trains or engines are
authorized to use the main track not protecting against other trains or engines. Engines
must give way as soon as possible to trains as they approach. Engines must keep
posted as to the arrival of passenger trains and must not delay them.
In CTC Territory:
Where yard limits are in effect in CTC territory, the control operator must authorize any
movement on the main track. Reverse movements within the same block may be made
as outlined in Rule 6.4.1 (Permission for Reverse Movements).
9.18 Electrically Locked Switches and Derails - answer Special instructions or
instructions posted near the switch will govern the operation of switches and derails
equipped with electric locks.
To enter a track within interlocking or CTC limits, employees must not open the case of
door or unlock an electrically locked switch or derail without track and time or authority
from the control operator.
Emergency Release
If the electric lock includes an emergency release, do not break the seal on the release
or operate the release without permission from the control operator or train dispatcher.
However, when communication has failed, the seal may be broken and/or the release
operated:
1. To permit a train to leave the main track.
2. To permit a train that has authority to enter the main track. Train must not enter the
main track until 5 minutes after the seal is broken and/or the release operated.
Notify the control operator or train dispatcher when the seal has been broken and/or the
emergency release operated.
23.21 Electrically Locked Switches and Derails
Reference: GCOR 9.18 - answer When a seal has been broken or emergency
release operated on an electric lock, a signal technician must be notified.
8.3 Main Track Switches CTC - answer The normal position of a main track switch is
for main track movement, and it must be lined and locked in that position. At points
where double track begins, the normal position of a spring switch is for movement with
the current of traffic. However, the main track switch may be left open:
1. In CTC territory with track and time limits.
2. When attended by a crew member or switch tender.
3. During switching operations when it is certain that no other train or engine will pass
over the switch
4. For another train or engine when the switch is attended by a member of that crew.
8.20 Derail Location and Position - answer Employees in train, engine, and yard
service must know the location of all fixed derails. Train or engine moving on or entering
tracks where fixed derails are located, must stop at least 100 feet from derail in derailing
2 questions with correct Answers
10.1 Authority to Enter CTC Limits/Signal Governing Movement Over a Hand-Operated
Switch - answer CTC limits are designated in the timetable. Sidings within CTC limits
are controlled sidings and are governed by CTC rules.
A train must not enter or occupy any track where CTC is in effect unless a control signal
displays a proceed indication or the control operator authorizes: Signal or Verbal
Authority.
3 types of verbal authority:
1. Movement past a Stop indication under rule 9.12.1 (CTC Territory)
2. A train to enter track between block signals as follows:
"(Train) at (Location) has authority to enter (track) and proceed (direction)."
3. Track and Time under Rule 10.3 (Track and Time)Signal Governing Movement Over
a Hand-Operated Switch
If a signal governs movement over a hand-operated switch that is not electrically locked,
the control operator must authorize the train to enter or occupy any track where CTC is
in effect before the switch is opened. After the switch is opened, if the signal does not
display a proceed indication, a crew member must wait 10 minutes at the switch. After
the 10 minute wait, if the signal does not display a proceed indication, move the train at
restricted speed and notify the control operator.
However, if the block to be entered is occupied by its own standing train or when the
hand-operated switch remains opne, the movement may, after stopping, pass an
absolute signal displaying a Stop indication without waiting 10 minutes and without
contacting the control operator.
24.1 Authority to Enter CTC Limits - answer Before verbally authorizing train to enter
CTC between block signals and operates in a specified direction:
1. It must be known that no conflicting movement is occupying or authorized to enter the
track. If authority is to be granted behind train(s), notify train entering CTC of this
condition of authority.
2. Set Signals governing access into the area to be occupied to Stop and apply blocking
mechanism(s) to prevent unauthorized movement into protected area.
3. If in PTC territory, the Enter/Pass Authority (EPA) function is used.
Use verbal format: "(Train ID) AT (Location) HAS AUTHORITY TO ENTER (Track) AND
PROCEED (Direction)."
5 Steps to get you there everytime: CSBAM
1. Conflicting Moves
2. Set Signals to Stop
3. Blocking Mechanism
4. Authorize Move
5. Move Train Symbol
, 6.13 Yard Limits (just CTC portion) - answer Within yard limits, trains or engines are
authorized to use the main track not protecting against other trains or engines. Engines
must give way as soon as possible to trains as they approach. Engines must keep
posted as to the arrival of passenger trains and must not delay them.
In CTC Territory:
Where yard limits are in effect in CTC territory, the control operator must authorize any
movement on the main track. Reverse movements within the same block may be made
as outlined in Rule 6.4.1 (Permission for Reverse Movements).
9.18 Electrically Locked Switches and Derails - answer Special instructions or
instructions posted near the switch will govern the operation of switches and derails
equipped with electric locks.
To enter a track within interlocking or CTC limits, employees must not open the case of
door or unlock an electrically locked switch or derail without track and time or authority
from the control operator.
Emergency Release
If the electric lock includes an emergency release, do not break the seal on the release
or operate the release without permission from the control operator or train dispatcher.
However, when communication has failed, the seal may be broken and/or the release
operated:
1. To permit a train to leave the main track.
2. To permit a train that has authority to enter the main track. Train must not enter the
main track until 5 minutes after the seal is broken and/or the release operated.
Notify the control operator or train dispatcher when the seal has been broken and/or the
emergency release operated.
23.21 Electrically Locked Switches and Derails
Reference: GCOR 9.18 - answer When a seal has been broken or emergency
release operated on an electric lock, a signal technician must be notified.
8.3 Main Track Switches CTC - answer The normal position of a main track switch is
for main track movement, and it must be lined and locked in that position. At points
where double track begins, the normal position of a spring switch is for movement with
the current of traffic. However, the main track switch may be left open:
1. In CTC territory with track and time limits.
2. When attended by a crew member or switch tender.
3. During switching operations when it is certain that no other train or engine will pass
over the switch
4. For another train or engine when the switch is attended by a member of that crew.
8.20 Derail Location and Position - answer Employees in train, engine, and yard
service must know the location of all fixed derails. Train or engine moving on or entering
tracks where fixed derails are located, must stop at least 100 feet from derail in derailing
