GCOR - General Code of Operating Rules Block System and CTC Rules Questions and Answers

Question 1

A train is operating in CTC territory and stops at a control point with an absolute signal displaying 'Stop'. The crew needs to make a reverse movement just inside the block they came from to set out a car. According to GCOR, what is the first required action?

Accepted Answer

Obtain permission from the control operator before making any reverse movement.

Answer

GCOR Rule 6.4.2 states that if a movement stops while the trailing end is between the outer opposing absolute signals of a control point, it must not change direction without permission from the control operator. Since the train is at a control point, permission is mandatory before reversing, even if the movement is within the same signaled block.

Question 2

Under what circumstance is a train permitted to enter CTC territory without a proceed indication on a controlled signal?

Accepted Answer

When the control operator grants verbal authority to pass a Stop indication or to enter the track between signals.

Answer

GCOR Rule 10.1 specifies that a train must not enter or occupy any track where CTC is in effect unless a controlled signal displays a proceed indication OR the control operator authorizes the movement. This authorization can be to pass a stop signal or to enter the track between signals.

Question 3

A train crew has been granted 'Track and Time' authority from MP 80 to MP 90 in CTC territory. Within these limits is CP 85, which is a dispatcher-controlled crossover. How does this authority affect their movement at CP 85?

Accepted Answer

They may pass the absolute signal at CP 85 displaying a 'Stop' indication without stopping and without communicating with the control operator.

Answer

GCOR Rule 10.3 (Track and Time) grants authority to occupy the track within specified limits. Unless a control point is specifically designated as a manual interlocking in the timetable, the Track and Time authority includes the limits of the control point. Therefore, a train can pass a controlled signal displaying 'Stop' within their Track and Time limits without stopping or obtaining additional permission.

Question 4

Which of the following is a key difference between movement authority in an Automatic Block System (ABS) territory versus a Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) territory?

Accepted Answer

In CTC, signal indications authorize train movement, while in ABS, signals provide protection but do not authorize movement.

Answer

In CTC territory, block signal indications are the primary method used to authorize train movements. In ABS territory, signals provide information about block occupancy to ensure trains are spaced safely, but the authority to occupy the main track comes from another source, such as a track warrant or timetable authority.

Question 5

A train is authorized to enter the main track in CTC territory at a hand-operated switch where no governing signal exists. What must happen before the train occupies the main track?

Accepted Answer

The control operator must verbally authorize the train to enter the track.

Answer

According to GCOR Rule 9.17, within CTC territory, before a train enters the track at a hand-operated switch with no governing signal, the control operator must authorize the movement. The control operator is responsible for verifying there are no conflicting movements before granting this authority.

GCOR - General Code of Operating Rules Practice Test

GCOR - General Code of Operating Rules Practice Test

GCOR - General Code of Operating Rules Block System and CTC Rules Questions and Answers