Special Warnings!!

By Marcel Derrick
TO ALL AFFECTED The following contents have been furnished by the Bunker Division of the HDC in Omaha. It outlines what expectations are being required by the FRA concerning track warrants procedures when such are issued directly to field personnel by the train dispatcher.
As all of our activities are being monitored closely, we hope this information will enable everyone to understand what is asked and expected when gong through these procedures.
Thank you in advance for your assistance. HDC Staff.

DISPATCHER AUDITS
We have been conducting Daily Audits on Dispatchers Positions during the past 2 months- These have been mandated by the ERA and as such, ate being conducted using the Guidelines set forth by them. Please refer to the following guidelines for issuing and repealing Track Warrants.
1. You must say "X" Box Number. Just stating the Box number or saying "check" box number is not acceptable. GCOR Rule 23.1.
2. When using line I to void a previous warrant, you must state the date, even if it is the same day. This is in accordance with GCOR Rule 23.1 which states the dispatcher must read each word of the items selected.
3. You must state the name of the Branch or Subdivision whether or not station names or mileposts are used. This is in accordance with GDOR Rule 23.1.
4. You must ascertain from the person coping the warrant if they are ready to copy. As clarification (from Tom Keane, FRA, Washington) if the crew or employee calls the train dispatcher and requests track warrant authority, we will consider that this is implying they are ready to copy the track warrant and will not take exception if train dispatcher does not ask if they are ready to copy.
5. State the initials of the units, even if they Union Pacific (UP) initials.
6. Make sure the employee repeating the warrant repeats it exactly as it is issued. Make them correct themselves if it is repeated incorrectly.
7. Read the direction of the train, both on the address and in Box 4 even though Box 4 is for a work between.
8. Watch your radio rules. Use overs and outs and properly identiiy yourselves.

In short, read evevything exactly as it is generated by the computer.

General Code of Operating Rules
23.1 Issuing and Crew Member Repeating Track Warrant To avoid errors, the train dispatcher must identity all appropriate items by stating "X" box (number)" and then reading each word of the items chosen.
The crew member repeating the track warrant must read the line number and each word of the items, including pre-printed words.

Special Warnings!

Marcel is a Fort Worth based Locomotive Engineer.
12-97