Track warrants are systematized permissions used on some rail lines instead of or in addition to signals. Train crews communicate by radio with the dispatcher and receive track warrants either for a certain distance (the warrant covering the beginning and ending mileposts of this section) or period of time. Maintenance crews also receive track warrants (usually called "Form B's") in order to perform track work that would otherwise be interrupted by passing trains. A signal is a mechanical or electrical device that indicates to train drivers information about the state of the line ahead, and therefore whether he or she must stop or may start, or instructions on what speed the train may go. ...

X-Boxes

Most track warrants in the U.S. follow a standard form as suggested by the General Code of Operating Rules, consisting of several "X-Boxes" to mark specific notes or conditions for a warrant. These vary from temporary speed restrictions to rules regarding meeting other trains.

• Box 1- Void on a previous warrant
• Box 2- Proceed from point to point
• Box 3- Proceed from point to point (cont.)
• Box 4- Work between certain limits
• Box 5- Not in effect until ____
• Box 6- Authority expires at ____
• Box 7- Not in effect until after the arrival of ____ at ____
• Box 8- Hold main track at last named point
• Box 9- Do not foul limits ahead of ____
• Box 10- Clear main track at last named point
• Box 11- Between ____ and ____ make all movements at restricted speed: limits occupied by train
• Box 12- Between ____ and ____ make all movements at restricted speed: limits occupied by men or equipment
• Box 13- Do not exceed ____ mph between _____ and ____
• Box 14- Do not exceed ____ mph between _____ and ____
• Box 15- Flag protection not required against following trains on same track
• Box 16- Track bulletins in effect
• Box 17 and 18- Other specific instructions

Use

As an example, the BNSF Railway uses track warrants on the "El Paso Sub" line which runs from Belen, New Mexico to El Paso, Texas, with the dispatcher in Fort Worth, Texas. Track warrants are used on the railroad's Harbor Subdivision in Southern California as well, though infrequently since operations on the line were reduced in 2002. There are no electrical signals on either route. Some smaller Class II railroads, such as the Iowa Interstate Railroad, and many Class III railroads are dispatched completely by track warrant. The BNSF Railway (AAR reporting mark BNSF), headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is one of the largest railroad networks in North America (only one competitor, the Union Pacific Railroad, is comparable in size). ... Belen is a city located in Valencia County, New Mexico. ... Nickname: Star of the Southwest and Land of the Sun Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: County El Paso County Mayor John Cook Area    - City 250. ... Nickname: Cowtown Motto: Where the West Begins Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Country United States State Texas Counties Tarrant and Denton Mayor Michael J. Moncrief Area    - City 774. ... The BNSF Harbor Subdivision is a historic single-track main line of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe which stretches 26 miles/42km between the rail yards of downtown Los Angeles and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach across southwestern Los Angeles County. ... A Class II railroad, as defined by the American Association of Railroads, is a railroad with an annual operating revenue between $10 million (1978 dollars) and $50 million (1978 dollars). ... The Iowa Interstate Railroad (AAR reporting mark IAIS) is a Class II railroad operating in the central United States. ... A Class III railroad, as defined by the American Association of Railroads, is a railroad with an annual operating revenue of less than $10 million (1978 dollars). ...

See also

• Rail terminology
• Centralized traffic control
• Direct traffic control
• Train order

Rail terminology is a form of technical terminology. ... Centralized traffic control (CTC) is a signalling system used by railroads around the world. ... Direct Traffic Control (DTC) is a system for authorizing track occupancy used on some railroads instead of or in addition to signals. ... Train order operation is a system by which the railroads of North America conveyed operating instructions before the days of centralized traffic control and use of track warrants conveyed by radio. ...

References

• Trainweb GCOR
• Railroad Controls GCOR
• Illustration of Track Warrant Control