240.  Tracks Designated in Timetable

  The following rules will be in effect on track designated in the Timetable: Rule 251 and Rule 261; DCS Rules 400 through 406; ABS Rules 500 through 510; CSS Rules 550 and 562.

241.  Passing a Stop Signal

  To pass a Stop Signal, a train must have verbal permission of the Dispatcher (or Operator when authorized by the Dispatcher).  Permission must not be given or accepted until the train has stopped at the signal.  A member of the crew must contact the Dispatcher or Operator and follow his instructions.

  a.  Giving Permission to Pass

  Before giving permission to pass the Stop Signal, the Dispatcher (or Operator) must determine that:

1. Affected appliances are properly positioned.  If the position of a switch cannot be determined, the route must be inspected.
2. No opposing or conflicting movements have been authorized.
3. Blocking devices have been applied to protect against opposing movements whenever the Stop Signal involved governs entrance to a track where Rule 261 is in effect.

  The Dispatcher (or Operator) must give permission to pass a Stop Signal in the following manner:

“No. 5316 engine 4129 pass Stop Signal on No. 2 track at Rare and proceed east to No. 1 track.”

  The receiving employee must repeat this permission and the Dispatcher or Operator must then confirm it.

  b.  Movement After Permission Has Been Confirmed

  After permission has been confirmed, the train must operate at Restricted Speed until the entire train has cleared all interlocking or spring switches and the leading wheels have:

1. Passed a more favorable fixed signal, or
2. Entered a non-signaled DCS territory, or
3. Entered Rule 562 territory with a Form D authorizing Rule 563.

In CSS territory, trains with operative cab signals must not increase their speed until they have run one train length or 500 feet (whichever distance is greater) past a location where a more favorable cab signal was received.

  c.  Stopped at Automatic Interlocking Home Signal

  When a train is stopped at a home signal at an automatic interlocking and no immediate conflicting movement is evident, the movement will be governed by:

1. Instructions posted at that location.
2. Instructions in the Timetable.

  Track cars may proceed after first determining that there are no approaching or conflicting movements.

  d.  Stopped at a Signal Protecting Movable Bridge

  Under the following conditions, a qualified employee must determine that the rails are properly lined and the bridge is safe for movement before verbal permission is given to pass the signal 

1. When the signal cannot be displayed for the first movement over the bridge after the bridge has been closed, regardless of bridge lock indication, or
2. At any time a bridge unlock indication is received.

  e.  Stop Signal Disregarded

  If a Stop Signal is disregarded, the Dispatcher or Operator must immediately take two actions:

1. Attempt to stop that train and other trains involved.
2. Notify the next TBS or interlocking station.

242.  Absent or Imperfectly Displayed Signals

  If a fixed signal is absent from the place where it is usually shown, movement must be governed by the most restrictive indication that can be given by that signal.  This absence must be reported to the Dispatcher immediately.

Imperfectly displayed signals must be reported to the Dispatcher or Operator as soon as practical, without delay to the train.

  Imperfectly displayed signals must be regarded as the most restrictive indication that can be given by that signal.  The following exceptions apply to color light signals, position light signals, color position light signals, and semaphore signals:

1. Signal Indication Governs

If only one indication is possible, this indication will govern.

2. Restricting Signal Indication Applies

If more than one indication is possible, and it can be determined that all possible indications are more favorable than Stop and Proceed, trains may proceed as though a Restricting Signal were displayed.

243.  Next Governing Signal

  Trains may operate according to the indication of the next fixed signal governing the movement when the following conditions have been met:

1. The next governing signal can be plainly seen, and
2. The train is not required by rule or the previous signal indication to operate at Restricted Speed.

  If governed by a signal displaying Limited Clear, Medium Clear, Medium Approach Medium, Medium Approach, Slow Clear, or Slow Approach, speed must not be increased until the entire train is clear of all interlocking or spring switches.

251.  Track Signaled in One Direction

  When track is signaled in only one direction, signal indication will be the authority for trains to operate with the current of traffic.  Movements against the current of traffic will be governed by non-signaled DCS rules.

261.  Track Signaled in Both Directions

  Signal indication will be the authority for a train to operate in either direction on the same track.

  At a hand-operated switch that is not equipped with an electric lock, a train may clear the main track only where maximum authorized speed on the main track over this switch is 20 MPH or less.

EXCEPTION:  Trains may clear at a hand-operated switch on a controlled siding with no intermediate signals and a maximum speed that does not exceed 30 MPH.