Local Chairman and Safety Team Members:

Below is communication from the SWE Division Manager of Field Training regarding request for clarification of rules brought up a recent Safety Briefings in Belen. I am forwarding for your use in the continued effort to get everyone involved in “Safety With”. In the past, I have forwarded you messages and will continue to do so as you request. John Fox will also be your source for Rules on the SWE Division. I will be getting with him to set up his mailing list so we can keep the communication going.
As info, John Fox forwarded these questions to Rules Group and the responses are in RED below.

K. McReynolds
Supt Operating Practices

_____________________________________________ From: Fox, John N Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 8:21 AM To: Murray, Nathan A Cc: Meyer, Scott L; Swartzfager, Patton W; McReynolds, Kevin C; Fox, John N Subject: FW: A series of rules questions for clarification
Gentlemen:
In briefing of train crews at Belen on Monday, February 3, questions I was asked for clarification on rule questions listed below, which I forwarded to the rules department at Ft. Worth for the “correct” ruling as everyone has different opinion and interpretations of rules.
The question involved:
Safety Rule 13.1.1—Going Between Cars and Locomotives
GCOR 5.3.7—Radio Response
GCOR 6.5—Handling of Cars Ahead of Engines
The answers to the questions that were asked, the replies are shown in RED below.
When I do send questions in for interpretation, I’ll forward replies to you and other personal if you so do desire to receive and view.
Respectfully,
John N. Fox
Manager of Field Training
Southwest Division
864-5184 (office)
1-505-850-4584 (cell)

_____________________________________________ From: Fox, John N Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 2:32 PM To: Adams, Douglas R Cc: Fox, John N Subject: A series of rules questions for clarification
Doug:

• • Safety rule 13.1.1  Going Between Cars or Locomotives

• • • • If I’m a engineer and the conductor request permission to go “in between” on our train, and I fully apply the independent brake and center the reverser and then I state on the radio “set and centered”, and not leaving the engine unattended, while the “conductor” is in between releasing hand brakes;
        May I as the engineer go release hand brakes on the engines? YES
        May I go M/U locomotives? YES
        May I go inspect the locomotives? YES

• 2)      GCOR Rule 5.3.7

• • • • While working on a train, I’m required to take “slack” to uncouple cars and going to make a set out, after stopping the train and going thru the procedures of “in between” to close the angle cocks:
        Am I required to use the words “back up” to get the slack to make the cut on the rail cars or is it allowable to use the phrase “slack or slack for pin” to uncouple the rail cars? BACK UP

• 3)      GCOR Rule 5.3.7 & GCOR Rule 6.5

• • • • I’m in the process of shoving 15 cars (using radio) on a clear track which has room for 40 cars in which I’ve taken a position in which to provide visual protection for the shove.
        My initial radio response to the engineer was back up 15 cars, clear track, room on the track for 40 (for information purposes)
        My next radio response to the engineer is “15 cars” after shoving 7 cars (which will make it 8 cars from the cut)
        While observing the shove and getting close to the cut;
        Am I “required” to state 8, 5, 3, 2, 1, 25 feet and stop while shoving the “clear track” in which no coupling would be made or once we’ve reached the required distance while continuing to observe the cars being shoved on the track, is it permissible to bring the engine to a stop by using the word “stop”? When protecting shove, must state the distances per 5.3.7 supplement
        

I’d appreciate a reply to these questions so I may forward on to the appropriate personal that asked.


John N. Fox
Manager of Field Training
Southwest Division
864-5184 (office)
1-505-850-4584 (cell)