Railroad radio question

I have a question for you rail gurus about real life radio procedures.
I hear this mostly (only?) when monitoring BNSF channels. Sometimes a train will call the status of a signal they are approaching. for example, "BNSF 9910 advance approach west end of Harmon siding"
Never hear them call a proceed, but generally approach, approach medium, or stop. I'm curious as to what requires them to make the call over the radio. Sometimes they'll approach/stop without any radio announcment. I thought perhaps if they had other trains leading or trailing them it was for their benefit, but often times they'll make the call with no other traffic anywhere close ahead or behind them. Other times they might be the middle train in parade, or with opposing traffic on the siding and not make a call. Just curious as to what those calls are about. Perspiring minds want to know

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RE: Railroad radio question, andrewpickell, Nov-28-03, 10:39 PM, (1) RE: Railroad radio question, amtkfan79, Nov-28-03, 11:12 PM, (2) RE: Railroad radio question, BNSF_Clovis, Nov-29-03, 00:02 AM, (3) RE: Railroad radio question, andrewpickell, Nov-29-03, 00:18 AM, (4) RE: Railroad radio question, PatchCrew, Nov-29-03, 07:08 PM, (7) RE: Railroad radio question, andrewpickell, Nov-30-03, 01:33 AM, (9) RE: Railroad radio question, PatchCrew, Nov-30-03, 09:05 AM, (11) RE: Railroad radio question, andrewpickell, Nov-30-03, 01:50 PM, (12) RE: Railroad radio question, chazlee1, Nov-29-03, 00:26 AM, (5) RE: Railroad radio question, ATF1224, Nov-29-03, 02:25 PM, (6) RE: Railroad radio question, CSX_CW60AC_GregMarck, Nov-29-03, 09:37 PM, (8) RE: Railroad radio question, cn_bayview, Nov-30-03, 02:10 AM, (10)

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LAST EDITED ON Nov-28-03 AT 10:46 PM (EST)

What I found in the GCOR leads me to beleive that the train in question probably has a caboose. Rule 2.12 prohibits the use of radio to give information about the name position aspect or indication of a fixed signal, unless the information is given between members of the same crew or in case of an emergency. Which would be why it wouldn't matter what other trains are around. The engineer is communicate signal indication with his conductor in the caboose.The GCOR can be found here.http://www.bnsf-ttc.com/bnsftime/index.html- Andrew

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No...
Its a fairly new rule(within the last few years), the train crew has to call out any signal that is less than clear, along with what track they're on(Main 1, 2, etc), along with their speed.
It has to do with signal awareness, so you realize you're running on a less than clear signal when you're tired, fatigued, etc..., and to give a sort of heads-up to any work crews or other trains ahead of you, in the event that they're occupying a location nearby.
Cabooses generally aren't used anymore.

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Yeah it's not a system wide deal either. I know on the Kansas Division they have to call signals but here on the Southwest Division it's not required. Like you said amtkfan it's not because of cabooses but rather signal awareness.
Chris S.

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You got a reference for that?- Andrew

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Andrew:The GCOR rule that you quoted does state only to the "same crew" but if a train has a helper loco(s) then that helper crew is part of your train crew. Why would you transmit signal indications over the radio to a helper crew? Well if you had a cut-in or rear helper and you were approaching a red signal, you wouldn't want the helper Engineer to shove you through that signal would you?Also SP had a rule where you had to call out all signals other than green over the radio and that rule has nothing to do with Rule 2.12. So the above (and below) explanations are correct.Also the GCOR is not the lone railroad book of rules. The GCOR is used by many railroads but the individual railroads can add, delete, change or modify any rule to their needs. The changes would be found in the individual railroad's System Special Instructions which supersedes the GCOR. If a rule is then found also in a particular subdivision timetable then that version would supersede both the SSI and GCOR. PatchCrew
UP Engineer

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PatchCrewI understand completely. I'm studying to be an RTC(Dispatcher) at college, and we have covered the Canadian Rail Operating Rules as well as CN and CPR special intructions in great detail. However, I have been unable to find any reference to this type of radio procedure in any BNSF special instructions or timetable footnotes. Just interested in finding a specific reference that states what signals are supposed to be called.Andrew
RTC Trainee

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Ok Andrew let me go one step deeper. General Orders supersede the timetable, SSI and GCOR. On the UP the general orders are electronic and stored on computer. It is up to the employee to check to see if there are any new GO's. So not unless you work for that particular railroad, you probably won't find any reference because it is in a general order.PatchCrew
UP Engineer

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I think we call that an operating bulleting up here Thanks for the info.- Andrew

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Actually, it's been modified here on the Nebraska Division; you only have to call approach indications ahead of control points(absolute signals, interlockings, etc.). Guess BNSF found out how much more cluttered the radio got when calling every signal not dispalying proceed.

Happy Rails,
Chaz
(BNSF Engineer)
<>

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On NS you have to call ALL signals, and what track you are on.

The Norfolk Southern Winston-Salem District

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LAST EDITED ON Nov-29-03 AT 09:40 PM (EST)

Here on CSX's Cincinnati Terminal, they callRoad Name, Lead Engine Number, Signal Type, Direction, Track Number, Train Number, Out.Soooo, for example.CSX 2913, Clear Northbound, Sharon Road, Track 1, Q230 Out.everynow and then you'll hear it mixed up, but thats generally it.EDITMe saying it doesnt sound right, so I gotta wait for a train to call a signal.
Greg
HighV0lt6ge - AIM/AOL
gregoryis411@hotmail.com

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On CN. Your required to call the approach signals.
But you can if you want call home signals.When they call signals they usually say "VIA number one clear signal on the approach to Washago" Train number and what approach signal.
On double track territory, you do not have to call signals.

Rob
www.GreatNorthRails.com

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