Exhibit J - GCOR.pdf

State of Florida Department of Transportation

Exhibit “J”

General Code of Operating Rules

Central Florida Rail Corridor (CFRC) Track Improvements

– Multiple Locations

Financial Projects Number(s): 412994-4-52-33, 412994-8- 82-54, 412994-8-82-55, 412994-8-82-56, 412994-8-82-47

DOT-RFP-25-5002-TIML

GCOR

General Code of Operating Rules

Eighth Edition Eff ective April 1, 2020

These rules govern the operation of the adopting railroads and supersede all previous GCOR rules and instructions.

© 2020 General Code of Operating Rules Committee, All Rights Reserved i-2 GCOR—Eighth Edition—April 1, 2020

Front cover photo by William Diehl

Adopted by:

Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway Aberdeen & Rockfish Railroad Acadiana Railway Company Adams Industries Railroad Adrian and Blissfield Railroad Affton Terminal Railroad Ag Valley Railroad Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway LLC Alabama Southern Railroad Alabama & Tennessee River Railway, LLC Alabama Warrior Railroad Alaska Railroad Corporation Albany & Eastern Railroad Company Aliquippa & Ohio River Railroad Co.

Alliance Terminal Railway, LLC Altamont Commuter Express Rail Authority Alton & Southern Railway Amtrak—Chicago Terminal Amtrak—Michigan Line Amtrak—NOUPT AN Railway Ann Arbor Railroad Apache Railway Company A&R Terminal Railroad Company Arizona & California Railroad Company Arizona and California Railway Company Arizona Central Railroad Arizona Eastern Railway Company Arkansas Louisiana & Mississippi Railroad Arkansas Midland Railroad Company, Inc.

Arkansas & Missouri Railroad Company Arkansas-Oklahoma Railroad Arkansas Southern Railroad Ashtabula, Carson & Jefferson Railroad AT&L Railroad Company Atlantic and Western Railway, Limited Partnership Austin and Texas Central Railroad Austin Western Railroad Autauga Northern Railroad Baja California Railroad Baton Rouge Southern Railroad

Bauxite & Northern Railway Company Bay Coast Railroad The Bay Line Railroad, L.L.C.

Belt Railway Company of Chicago BHP Nevada Railway Company B&H Rail Corp Birmingham Terminal Railroad Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad Blue Ridge Southern Railroad BNSF Railway Bogalusa Bayou Railroad Boise Valley Railroad Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad, Inc.

Burlington Junction Railway Butte, Anaconda & Pacific Railroad C&J Railroad Company California Northern Railroad Company California Western Railroad Camas Prairie RailNet, Inc.

Camp Chase Railway Canadian Pacific Caney Fork & Western Railroad Canon City and Royal Gorge Railroad Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Carolina Piedmont Railroad Carrizo Gorge Railway Cascade and Columbia River Railroad Company Cedar Rapids & Iowa City Railway Company Central California Traction Company Central Illinois Railroad Central Kansas Railway Central Midland Railway Central Montana Rail Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad, Inc.

The Central Railroad Company of Indiana Central Railroad Company of Indianapolis Charlotte Southern Railroad Chattahoochee Bay Railroad Chattahoochee Industrial Railroad Chattooga & Chickamauga Railway Co.

Chesapeake & Albemarle Railroad Chesapeake & Indiana Railroad Chicago and Chemung Railroad Chicago, Ft. Wayne & Eastern Railroad Chicago Rail Link i-3GCOR—Eighth Edition—April 1, 2020

Galveston Railroad, L.P.

Gardendale Railroad Gateway Western Railway GB&T Railroad Genesee and Wyoming Railroad Company Georgetown Railroad Company Georgia Central Railway, L.P.

Georgia & Florida Railway Georgia Southwestern Railroad, Inc.

Georgia Woodlands Railroad Golden Isles Terminal Railroad, Inc.

Golden Triangle Railroad Grain Belt Corp Grand Canyon Railway Grand Elk Railroad Grand Rapids Eastern Railroad Grapevine Vintage Railroad Great Lakes Central Railroad Great Northwest Railroad Great Western Railway Grenada Railway Gulf Colorado & San Saba Railroad Harbor Rail Services Company Heart of Georgia Railroad, Inc.

Herzog Transit Services, Inc.

Hilton & Albany Railroad, Inc.

Hiwassee River Railroad Huron and Eastern Railway Company, Inc.

Hutchinson and Northern Railway Company Idaho Northern & Pacific Railroad Company Illinois & Midland Railroad, Inc.

Illinois Railway, Inc.

Indiana & Ohio Railway Company Indiana Business Railroad Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad Indiana Rail Road Company Indiana Southern Railroad, LLC International Bridge & Terminal Company Iowa Interstate Railroad Ltd.

Iowa Northern Railway Company Iowa Pacific Holdings Jackson & Lansing Railroad Jaxport Terminal Railway Kansas City Southern Railway Kansas City Terminal Railway Company

Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad LLC Chicago SouthShore & South Bend Railroad City of Prineville Railway Cleveland Commercial Railroad LLC C&NC Railroad Corporation Columbia Basin Railroad Co.

Columbia and Cowlitz Railway Columbia Terminal Columbus & Chattahoochee Railroad, Inc.

Columbus and Greenville Railway Company The Columbus & Ohio River Rail Road Company Commonwealth Railway, Incorporated Conecuh Valley Railway, L.L.C.

Connecticut Southern Railroad, Inc.

Connex Railroad Coos Bay Rail Link Corpus Christi Terminal Railroad, Inc.

D&I Railroad Dakota, Missouri Valley & Western Railroad, Inc.

Dakota Southern Railway Dallas, Garland & Northeastern Railroad, Inc.

Dardanelle & Russellville Railroad Decatur Junction Railway Company Denton County Transit Authority Denver Regional Transportation District Commuter Railroad Denver Rock Island Railroad DeQueen & Eastern Railroad Company Detroit Connecting Railroad Eagle Rail East Chattanooga Belt Railroad East Tennessee Railway, L.P Eastern Alabama Railway, LLC Eastern Idaho Railroad Ellis & Eastern Company Escanaba & Lake Superior Railroad Farmrail Corporation First Coast Railroad Inc.

Florida East Coast Railway Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad LLC.

Fordyce and Princeton R.R. Co.

Fort Worth & Western Railroad Foster Townsend Rail Logistics Fox Valley & Western Fulton County Railway, LLC i-4 GCOR—Eighth Edition—April 1, 2020

Mission Mountain Railroad Mississippi Delta Railroad Mississippi Export Railroad Company Mississippi Southern Railroad Mississippi & Tennessee RailNet, Inc.

Mississippi Tennessee Railroad Missouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad Company, Inc.

Missouri & Valley Park Railroad Modesto & Empire Traction Company Modoc Railroad Academy Montana Rail Link Mount Hood Railroad Mount Vernon Terminal Railway, Inc.

Napa Valley Railroad Company Nash County Railroad Nashville and Eastern Railroad Nashville and Western Railroad National Coal Rail Line Nebkota Railway, Inc.

Nebraska Central Railroad Company Nebraska Kansas Colorado Railway, Inc.

Nebraska Northeastern Railway Company New England Central Railroad, Inc.

New Mexico Rail Runner Express New Orleans & Gulf Coast Railway Company New Orleans Lower Coast Railroad New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Newburgh & South Shore Railroad Company New York & Atlantic Railway North Carolina & Atlantic Railroad North Carolina & Virginia Railroad Company, LLC North County Transit District North Shore Scenic Railroad Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corp.

Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District Northern Lines Railway Northern Ohio & Western Railway Northern Plains Railroad Ohio Central Railroad, Inc.

Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad Ohio Southern Railroad, Inc.

Olympia & Belmore Railroad, Inc.

Omaha, Lincoln & Beatrice Railway Company Osceola and St. Croix Valley Railroad Company Otter Tail Valley Railroad Company, Inc.

Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad Kaw River Railroad Keokuk Junction Railway Company Kettle Falls International Railway, LLC Kiamichi Railroad Company L.L.C.

Kingman Terminal Railroad Knoxville & Holston River Railroad KWT Railway, Inc.

Kyle Railroad Company Lahaina Kaanapali & Pacific Railroad Lake State Railway Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad Lancaster and Chester Railroad Lapeer Industrial Railroad Laurinberg & Southern Railroad Lavonia, Avon and Lakeville Railroad Lewis and Clark Railway Company Little Rock & Western Railway, L.P.

Longview Switching Company Los Angeles Junction Railway Louisiana & Delta Railroad, Inc.

Louisiana & North West Railroad Louisiana Southern Railroad Louisville & Indiana Railroad Luxapalila Valley Railroad, Inc.

The Mahoning Valley Railway Company Manning Rail, Inc.

Manufacturers Junction Railway Marquette Rail, LLC Maryland Midland Railway, Inc.

The Massena Terminal Railroad Company Maumee & Western Railroad McCloud Railway Company Meridian & Bigbee Railroad, L.L.C.

Meridian Southern Railway, LLC Michigan Air-Line Railway Company Michigan Central Railway Michigan Shore Railroad Mid-Michigan Railroad, Inc.

Minnesota Commercial Railway Company Minnesota, Dakota & Western Railway Company Minnesota Northern Railroad, Inc.

Minnesota Prairie Line Incorporated Minnesota Southern Railway Minnesota Valley Transportation Company i-5GCOR—Eighth Edition—April 1, 2020

Pacific Harbor Line Pacific Sun Railroad Palouse River and Coulee City Railroad Panhandle Northern Railroad Pecos Valley Southern Railway Company Pend Oreille Valley Railroad Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain) Pennsylvania Southwestern Railroad Piedmont and Northern Railroad The Pittsburgh & Ohio Central Railroad Company Pittsburgh Industrial Railroad Point Comfort & Northern Railway Company Port Bienville Railroad Port Terminal Railroad Association Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad Portland & Western Railroad, Inc.

Portland Terminal Railroad Company Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad Progressive Rail Inc.

Providence and Worcester Railroad Company Puget Sound & Pacific Railroad Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad, Inc.

Rarus Railway, Inc.

Red River Valley & Western Railroad Co.

Riceboro Southern Railway, LLC Richmond Pacific Railroad Richmond Terminal Railroad Company Rio Valley Switching Company Rochester & Southern Railroad, Inc.

Rockdale, Sandow & Southern Railroad Company Rogue Valley Terminal Railroad Royal Gorge Route Railroad Sacramento Valley Railroad Saginaw Valley Railroad Company San Antonio Central Railroad San Diego & Imperial Valley Railroad Company, Inc.

San Francisco Bay Railroad San Joaquin Valley Railroad Co.

San Luis Central Railroad Company San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad San Pedro Valley Railroad Sand Springs Railway Company Santa Cruz, Big Trees & Pacific Railway Company Santa Fe Southern Railway, Inc.

Santa Teresa Southern Railroad

Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Company Savage Bingham & Garfield Railroad Company Savannah Port Terminal Railroad, Inc.

SEMO Port Railroad Sequatchie Valley Railroad Sierra Railroad Company Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) Sound Transit South Buffalo Railway Company South Carolina Central Railroad Company, LLC South Central Tennessee Railroad South East Kansas Railroad South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad South Plains Lamesa Railroad Ltd.

Southern California Regional Rail Authority Southern Switching Company Southwestern Railroad Company, Inc.

St. Croix Valley Railroad Company St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad Company St. Maries River Railroad Company Stillwater Central Railroad Swan Ranch Railroad Tacoma Municipal Belt Line Railway Talleyrand Terminal Railroad Tazewell & Peoria Railroad, Inc.

Temple & Central Texas Railway Tennessee Southern Railroad Tennessee Valley Railroad Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, Inc Tennken Railroad Company Inc.

Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis Texas Northeastern Railroad Texas Rock Crusher Railway Co.

Three Notch Railway, L.L.C.

Timber Rock Railroad Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway Corp.

Tomahawk Railway, Limited Partnership Trans Distribution Terminal Railroad TransitAmerica Services Inc.

Transportación Ferroviaria Mexicana Trinity Railway Express Trona Railway Company Tulare Valley Railroad Tulsa-Sapulpa Union Railway Company Twin Cities & Western Railroad Company i-6 GCOR—Eighth Edition—April 1, 2020

Tyner Terminal Railroad Company Union Pacific Railroad United States Army Military Railroad System Utah Central Railway Utah Railway Company Utah Transit Authority V&S Railroad Inc.

Valdosta Railway, L.P.

Ventura County Railroad Company Verde Canyon Railroad Vermilion Valley Railroad Vermont Rail System Vicksburg Southern Railroad Virginia Southern Division Wabash Central Railroad Walking Horse & Eastern Railroad Warren & Saline River Railroad Company The Warren & Trumbull Railroad Company WATCO Transportation Services Wellsboro & Corning Railroad, LLC West Tennessee Railroad, LLC West Tennken Railroad Corp.

West Texas and Lubbock Railroad Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad, LLC Wichita Terminal Association Wichita, Tillman & Jackson Railway Willamette & Pacific Railroad, Inc.

Willamette Valley Railroad Willamina and Grand Ronde Railway Wilmington Terminal Railroad, Limited Partnership Wiregrass Central Railway, L.L.C.

Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Company Wyoming/Colorado Railroad Company Yadkin Valley Railroad Yellowstone Valley Railroad York Railway Company Youngstown & Austintown Railroad, Inc.

Youngstown & Southeastern Railroad The Youngstown Belt Railroad Company Yreka Western Railroad i-7GCOR—Eighth Edition—April 1, 2020

Table of Contents

1.0 General Responsibilities .......................... 1-1

1.1 Safety ................................................................. 1-1

1.1.1 Maintaining a Safe Course .................. 1-1

1.1.2 Alert and Attentive................................ 1-1

1.1.3 Accidents, Injuries, and Defects .......... 1-1

1.1.4 Condition of Equipment and Tools ....... 1-1

1.2 Personal Injuries and Accidents ......................... 1-1

1.2.1 Care for Injured .................................... 1-1

1.2.2 Witnesses ............................................ 1-1

1.2.3 Equipment Inspection .......................... 1-1

1.2.4 Mechanical Inspection ......................... 1-2

1.2.5 Reporting ............................................. 1-2

1.2.6 Statements........................................... 1-2

1.2.7 Furnishing Information ......................... 1-2

1.3 Rules .................................................................. 1-2

1.3.1 Rules, Regulations, and Instructions ... 1-2

1.3.2 General Orders .................................... 1-3

1.3.3 Circulars, Instructions, and Notices ..... 1-3

1.4 Carrying Out Rules and Reporting Violations .... 1-3

1.4.1 Good Faith Challenge .......................... 1-3

1.5 Drugs and Alcohol .............................................. 1-4

1.6 Conduct .............................................................. 1-5

1.6.1 Motor Vehicle Driving Records ............ 1-5

1.6.2 Notification of Felony Convictions........ 1-5

1.6.3 Notification of Deteriorating Vision or

Hearing ................................................ 1-5

1.7 Altercations ........................................................ 1-5

1.8 Appearance ........................................................ 1-5

1.9 Respect of Railroad Company ........................... 1-5

1.10 Games, Reading, or Other Media ...................... 1-6

1.11 Sleeping ............................................................. 1-6

1.11.1 Napping ............................................... 1-6

1.12 Weapons ............................................................ 1-7

1.13 Reporting and Complying with Instructions ........ 1-7

1.14 Employee Jurisdiction ........................................ 1-7

1.15 Duty—Reporting or Absence.............................. 1-7

1.16 Subject to Call .................................................... 1-7

1.17 Hours of Service Law ......................................... 1-7

1.18 Unauthorized Employment ................................. 1-7

1.19 Care of Property ................................................. 1-8

1.20 Alert to Train Movement ..................................... 1-8

1.21 Occupying Roof.................................................. 1-8

1.22 Unauthorized Persons on Equipment ................ 1-8

1.23 Altering Equipment ............................................. 1-8

1.24 Clean Property ................................................... 1-8

1.25 Credit or Property ............................................... 1-8

1.26 Gratuities ............................................................ 1-8

1.27 Divulging Information ......................................... 1-9

1.28 Fire ..................................................................... 1-9

1.29 Avoiding Delays ................................................. 1-9

1.30 Riding Engine ..................................................... 1-9

1.31 Repairs to Foreign Cars ..................................... 1-9

1.32 Overheated Wheels ........................................... 1-9

1.33 Inspection of Freight Cars .................................. 1-10

1.34 Flat Spots ........................................................... 1-10

1.35 Dump Doors ....................................................... 1-10

1.36 Excessive Dimension Loads .............................. 1-10

1.37 Open Top Loads ................................................. 1-11

1.38 Shipments Susceptible to Damage .................... 1-11

1.39 Accuracy of Speed Indicator .............................. 1-11

1.40 Reporting Engine Defects .................................. 1-11

1.41 Engines Coupled to Occupied Passenger Cars . 1-11

1.42 Trains Detoured ................................................. 1-11

1.43 Stopped in Tunnels ............................................ 1-12

1.44 Duties of Train Dispatchers ................................ 1-12

1.45 Duties of Control Operators and Operators ....... 1-12

1.46 Duties of Yardmasters ........................................ 1-12

1.47 Duties of Crew Members.................................... 1-12

1.48 Time ................................................................... 1-14

2.0 Railroad Radio and Communication

Rules .......................................................... 2-1

2.1 Transmitting ....................................................... 2-1

2.2 Required Identification ....................................... 2-1

2.3 Repetition ........................................................... 2-1

2.4 Ending Transmissions ........................................ 2-2

2.5 Communication Redundancy ............................. 2-2

2.6 Communication Not Understood or Incomplete . 2-2

2.7 Monitoring Radio Transmissions ........................ 2-2

2.8 Acknowledgment ................................................ 2-2

2.9 Misuse of Radio Communications...................... 2-2

2.10 Emergency Calls ................................................ 2-3

2.11 Prohibited Transmissions ................................... 2-3

2.12 Fixed Signal Information .................................... 2-3

2.13 Not Used ............................................................ 2-3

2.14 Transmission of Mandatory Directives ............... 2-3

2.14.1 Verbally Transmitting and Repeating

Mandatory Directives ........................... 2-4

2.15 Phonetic Alphabet .............................................. 2-4

2.16 Assigned Frequencies........................................ 2-4

2.17 Radio Testing ..................................................... 2-4

2.18 Malfunctioning Radio.......................................... 2-4

2.19 Blasting Operations ............................................ 2-4

2.20 Internal Adjustments........................................... 2-4

2.21 Electronic Devices.............................................. 2-5

3.0 Section Reserved ..................................... 3-1 i-8 GCOR—Eighth Edition—April 1, 2020

4.0 Timetables ................................................. 4-1

4.1 New Timetable ................................................... 4-1

4.1.1 Notice of New Timetable ...................... 4-1

4.2 Special Instructions ............................................ 4-1

4.3 Timetable Characters ......................................... 4-1

5.0 Signals and Their Use .............................. 5-1

5.1 Signal Equipment ............................................... 5-1

5.2 Receiving and Giving Signals ............................ 5-1

5.2.1 Looking for Signals .............................. 5-1

5.2.2 Signals Used by Employees ................ 5-1

5.3 Hand and Radio Signals .................................... 5-2

5.3.1 Hand Signals ....................................... 5-2

5.3.2 Giving Signals ...................................... 5-2

5.3.3 Signal Disappearance.......................... 5-2

5.3.4 Signal to Stop ...................................... 5-2

5.3.5 Acknowledge Stop Signal .................... 5-2

5.3.6 Radio and Voice Communication......... 5-2

5.3.7 Radio Response .................................. 5-3

5.4 Flags for Temporary Track Conditions ............... 5-3

5.4.1 Temporary Restrictions ........................ 5-3

5.4.2 Display of Yellow Flag .......................... 5-3

5.4.3 Display of Yellow-Red Flag .................. 5-4

5.4.5 Display of Green Flag .......................... 5-5

5.4.6 Display of Flags Within Current of

Traffic ................................................... 5-6

5.4.7 Display of Red Flag ............................. 5-6

5.4.8 Flag Location ....................................... 5-6

5.5 Permanent Speed Signs .................................... 5-7

5.6 Unattended Fusee.............................................. 5-7

5.7 Not Used ............................................................ 5-8

5.8 Bell and Whistle Signals..................................... 5-8

5.8.1 Ringing Engine Bell ............................. 5-8

5.8.2 Sounding Whistle ................................. 5-8

5.8.3 Whistle Failure ..................................... 5-9

5.8.4 Whistle Quiet Zone .............................. 5-9

5.8.5 Silenced Whistle .................................. 5-10

5.9 Headlight Display ............................................... 5-10

5.9.1 Dimming Headlight .............................. 5-10

5.9.2 Headlight Off ........................................ 5-11

5.9.3 Headlight Failure.................................. 5-11

5.9.4 Displaying Headlights Front and Rear . 5-11

5.9.5 Displaying Ditch Lights ........................ 5-11

5.9.6 Displaying Oscillating White Headlight 5-12

5.9.7 Displaying Oscillating or Flashing Red

Light ..................................................... 5-12

5.10 Markers .............................................................. 5-12

5.10.1 Highly Visible Markers ......................... 5-12

5.10.2 Alternative Markers .............................. 5-13

5.11 Engine Identifying Number ................................. 5-13

5.12 Protection of Occupied Outfit Cars..................... 5-13

5.13 Blue Signal Protection of Workmen ................... 5-16

5.13.1 Utility Employees ................................. 5-19

5.14 Signs Protecting Equipment ............................... 5-20

5.15 Improperly Displayed Signals............................. 5-20

6.0 Movement of Trains and Engines ........... 6-1

6.1 Repeat Instructions ............................................ 6-1

6.2 Initiating Movement ............................................ 6-1

6.2.1 Train Location ...................................... 6-1

6.3 Main Track Authorization .................................... 6-1

6.3.1 Train Coordination ............................... 6-2

6.4 Reverse Movements .......................................... 6-3

6.4.1 Permission for Reverse Movements .... 6-3

6.4.2 Movements Within Control Points or

Interlockings......................................... 6-3

6.5 Shoving Movements........................................... 6-4

6.5.1 Remote Control Movements ................ 6-4

6.6 Back Up Movements .......................................... 6-5

6.7 Remote Control Zone ......................................... 6-5

6.8 Stopping Clear for Meeting or Passing .............. 6-6

6.9 Meeting or Passing Precautions ........................ 6-6

6.10 Instructions to Clear a Following Train ............... 6-6

6.11 Mandatory Directive ........................................... 6-6

6.12 FRA Excepted Track .......................................... 6-6

6.13 Yard Limits ......................................................... 6-7

6.14 Restricted Limits ................................................. 6-8

6.15 Block Register Territory (BRT) ........................... 6-8

6.16 Approaching Railroad Crossings, Drawbridges, and End of Multiple Main Track .......................... 6-8

6.17 Switches at Junctions......................................... 6-9

6.18 Stopping Clear of Crossings and Junctions ....... 6-9

6.19 Flag Protection ................................................... 6-10

6.20 Equipment Left on Main Track ........................... 6-11

6.21 Precautions Against Unusual Conditions ........... 6-11

6.21.1 Protection Against Defects................... 6-11

6.21.2 Water Above Rail ................................. 6-12

6.21.3 Track Obstruction / Unusual

Conditions ............................................ 6-12

6.22 Maintaining Control of Train or Engine ............... 6-12

6.23 Emergency Stop, Severe Slack Action, or Actuation of Shifted Load or Dragging Equipment Detector ........................................... 6-12

6.24 Movement on Double Track ............................... 6-12

6.25 Movement Against the Current of Traffic ............ 6-13

6.26 Use of Multiple Main Tracks ............................... 6-13

6.27 Movement at Restricted Speed .......................... 6-13

6.28 Movement on Other than Main Track ................. 6-13

6.28.1 Sidings of Assigned Direction .............. 6-14

6.28.2 Stopping Clear in Siding ...................... 6-14

6.28.3 Cars or Equipment Left on Siding ........ 6-14

6.29 Inspecting Trains ................................................ 6-14

6.29.1 Inspecting Passing Trains .................... 6-14

6.29.2 Train Inspections by Crew Members ... 6-15

6.30 Receiving or Discharging Passengers ............... 6-15 i-9GCOR—Eighth Edition—April 1, 2020

6.31 Maximum Authorized Speed .............................. 6-16

6.31.1 Permanent Speed Restrictions ............ 6-16

6.32 Road Crossings.................................................. 6-16

6.32.1 Providing Warning Over Road

Crossings ............................................. 6-16

6.32.2 Crossing Warning Devices (Highway/

Pathway - Rail Grade Crossings) ........ 6-16

6.32.3 Providing Warning for Adjacent Tracks 6-18

6.32.4 Clear of Crossings and Signal Circuits 6-18

6.32.5 Actuating Automatic Warning Devices

Unnecessarily ...................................... 6-19

6.32.6 Blocking Public Crossings ................... 6-19

7.0 Switching ................................................... 7-1

7.1 Switching Safely and Efficiently ......................... 7-1

7.2 Communication Between Crews Switching........ 7-1

7.3 Additional Switching Precautions ....................... 7-1

7.4 Precautions for Coupling or Moving Cars or

Engines .............................................................. 7-2

7.5 Testing Hand Brakes .......................................... 7-2

7.6 Securing Cars or Engines .................................. 7-2

7.7 Kicking or Dropping Cars ................................... 7-2

7.7.1 Gravity Switch Moves .......................... 7-2

7.8 Coupling or Moving Cars on Tracks Where

Cars are Being Loaded or Unloaded.................. 7-3

7.9 Switching Passenger or Occupied Outfit Cars ... 7-3

7.10 Movement Through Gates or Doorways ............ 7-3

7.11 Charging Necessary Air Brakes ......................... 7-4

7.12 Movements Into Spur Tracks ............................. 7-4

7.13 Protection of Employees in Bowl Tracks ............ 7-4

8.0 Switches .................................................... 8-1

8.1 Hand Operation of Switches .............................. 8-1

8.2 Position of Switches ........................................... 8-1

8.3 Main Track Switches .......................................... 8-1

8.4 Lining Main Track Switch ................................... 8-2

8.5 Not Used ............................................................ 8-2

8.6 Restoring Switch to Normal Position .................. 8-2

8.7 Clear of Main Track Switches............................. 8-2

8.8 Switches Equipped with Locks, Hooks or

Latches............................................................... 8-3

8.9 Movement Over Spring Switches ....................... 8-3

8.9.1 Testing Spring Switch .......................... 8-3

8.9.2 Trailing Through and Stopping on a

Spring Switch ....................................... 8-4

8.9.3 Hand Operating a Spring Switch

Before Making a Trailing Movement .... 8-4

8.9.4 During Snow or Ice Storms ................. 8-5

8.9.5 Spiking Spring Switch .......................... 8-5

8.9.6 Approaching a Spring Switch in Non-

Signaled Territory ................................. 8-5

8.10 Switch Point Indicator......................................... 8-5

8.11 Switches in Sidings ............................................ 8-5

8.12 Hand-Operated Crossover Switches.................. 8-5

8.13 Scale Track Switches ......................................... 8-6

8.14 Conflicting Movements Approaching Switch ...... 8-6

8.15 Switches Run Through ....................................... 8-6

8.16 Damaged or Defective Switches ........................ 8-6

8.17 Avoid Sanding Over Moveable Parts ................. 8-6

8.18 Variable Switches ............................................... 8-6

8.19 Automatic Switches ............................................ 8-7

8.19.1 Radio Controlled Switches................... 8-7

8.20 Derail Location and Position .............................. 8-8

9.0 Block System Rules ................................. 9-1

9.1 Signal Aspects and Indications .......................... 9-1

9.2 Location of Signals ............................................. 9-1

9.3 What Signals Govern ......................................... 9-1

9.4 Improperly Displayed Signals or Absent Lights .. 9-1

9.5 Where Stop Must Be Made ................................ 9-2

9.5.1 Changing Established Route ............... 9-2

9.5.2 Protection if Signal Appliance or Track

is Damaged.......................................... 9-2

9.5.3 Protection During Repairs.................... 9-2

9.5.4 Authority to Proceed ............................ 9-2

9.5.5 Reporting Delays ................................. 9-2

9.5.6 Track Occupancy Indicator .................. 9-3

9.6 Change of Signal Indication ............................... 9-3

9.7 Failure to Display Most Restrictive Indication .... 9-3

9.8 Next Governing Signal ....................................... 9-3

9.9 Train Delayed Within a Block ............................. 9-3

9.9.1 Approach to Automatic Interlocking ..... 9-4

9.10 Initiating Movement Between Signals ................ 9-4

9.11 Movement from Signal Requiring Restricted

Speed ................................................................. 9-4

9.12 Stop Indications.................................................. 9-5

9.12.1 CTC Territory ....................................... 9-5

9.12.2 Manual Interlockings ............................ 9-5

9.12.3 Automatic Interlockings........................ 9-6

9.12.4 ABS Territory ........................................ 9-6

9.13 When Instructed to Operate Dual Control

Switches by Hand .............................................. 9-6

9.13.1 Hand Operation of Dual Control

Switches .............................................. 9-7

9.14 Movement with the Current of Traffic ................. 9-7

9.14.1 Reporting Clear of a Track Having a

Current of Traffic .................................. 9-7

9.15 Track Permits ..................................................... 9-7

9.15.1 Issuing Track Permits .......................... 9-8

9.15.2 Clearing Track Permits ........................ 9-8

9.16 Stop and Proceed Indication .............................. 9-9

9.17 Entering Signaled Track at Hand-Operated or

Spring Switch ..................................................... 9-10

9.17.1 Signal Protection in ABS by Lining

Switch .................................................. 9-11

9.18 Electrically Locked Switches and Derails ........... 9-12

9.19 Leaving Equipment in Signal Systems ............... 9-12 i-10 GCOR—Eighth Edition—April 1, 2020

9.20 Clear Track Circuits ............................................ 9-13

9.21 Overlap Circuits .................................................. 9-13

9.22 Standing on Sanded Rail ................................... 9-13

9.23 Suspension of Block System.............................. 9-13

9.23.1 Guidelines While Block System is

Suspended........................................... 9-13

9.24 Call Lights .......................................................... 9-14

10.0 Rules Applicable Only in Centralized

Traffic Control (CTC) ................................ 10-1

10.1 Authority to Enter CTC Limits............................. 10-1

10.2 Clearing Through Hand-Operated Switches ...... 10-1

10.3 Track and Time .................................................. 10-3

10.3.1 Protection of Limits .............................. 10-4

10.3.2 Protection of Machines, Track Cars, or

Employees ........................................... 10-4

10.3.3 Joint Track and Time............................ 10-4

10.3.4 Track and Time Acknowledgment ........ 10-4

11.0 Rules Applicable in ACS, ATC and ATS

Territories .................................................. 11-1

11.1 Establishing Absolute Block ............................... 11-1

11.2 Signal Indications with Absolute Block ............... 11-1

11.3 Broken or Missing Seals .................................... 11-2

12.0 Rules Applicable Only in Automatic

Train Stop System (ATS) Territory .......... 12-1

12.1 Required Equipment .......................................... 12-1

12.1.1 ATS Seals and Keys ............................ 12-1

12.2 ATS Device Cut Out, Not Equipped, or Not

Working .............................................................. 12-1

12.3 Unusual Conditions ............................................ 12-1

12.3.1 ATS Penalty Brake Application ............ 12-1

12.3.2 ATS Inoperative ................................... 12-1

12.3.3 Damaged Inductor ............................... 12-1

12.4 ATS Testing ........................................................ 12-2

12.4.1 Test Inductor Locations ........................ 12-2

12.4.2 No Test Inductors ................................. 12-2

13.0 Rules Applicable Only in Automatic Cab

Signal System (ACS) Territory ................ 13-1

13.1 General Information ........................................... 13-1

13.1.1 Observance of Signals......................... 13-1

13.1.2 Conforming with Block Signals ............ 13-1

13.1.3 Does Not Indicate Conditions Ahead ... 13-1

13.1.4 Cab Signals Cut In and Out ................. 13-1

13.2 Normal Operation ............................................... 13-2

13.2.1 Restrictive to More Favorable .............. 13-2

13.2.2 Favorable to More Restrictive .............. 13-2

13.2.3 Elimination of Audible Indicator............ 13-3

13.3 Unusual Conditions ............................................ 13-3

13.3.1 Cab Signal and Block Signal Do Not

Agree ................................................... 13-3

13.3.2 Inoperative Cab Signal Device ............ 13-3

13.3.3 Movement with an Inoperative Cab

Signal Device ....................................... 13-4

14.0 Rules Applicable Only Within Track

Warrant Control (TWC) Limits ................. 14-1

14.1 Authority to Enter TWC Limits ............................ 14-1

14.2 Designated Limits............................................... 14-2

14.3 Operating with Track Warrants ........................... 14-2

14.3.1 Leaving the Main Track........................ 14-3

14.4 Occupying Same Track Warrant Limits .............. 14-3

14.4.1 Radio Blocking ..................................... 14-3

14.5 Protecting Men or Equipment............................. 14-4

14.6 Movement Against the Current of Traffic ............ 14-4

14.7 Reporting Clear of Limits.................................... 14-5

14.8 Track Warrant Requests .................................... 14-5

14.9 Copying Track Warrants ..................................... 14-5

14.9.1 Duplicating Track Warrants .................. 14-5

14.10 Track Warrant in Effect ....................................... 14-6

14.11 Changing Track Warrants .................................. 14-6

14.12 Not Used ............................................................ 14-6

14.13 Mechanical Transmission of Track Warrants ..... 14-6

15.0 Track Bulletin Rules ................................. 15-1

15.1 Track Bulletins .................................................... 15-2

15.1.1 Changing Address of Track Warrants

or Track Bulletins ................................. 15-2

15.2 Protection by Track Bulletin Form B ................... 15-2

15.3 Authorizing Movement Against the Current of

Traffic ................................................................. 15-3

15.4 Protection When Tracks Removed from Service 15-4

15.5 Protection When Tracks Blocked with

Equipment .......................................................... 15-5

15.6 Change of a General Order, Special Instruction, or Rule................................................................ 15-5

15.7 Copying Track Bulletins...................................... 15-5

15.8 Duplicating Track Bulletins ................................. 15-5

15.9 Mechanical Transmission of Track Bulletins ...... 15-5

15.10 Retaining Track Bulletins.................................... 15-5

15.11 Not Used ............................................................ 15-5

15.12 Relief of Engineer or Conductor During Trip ...... 15-6

15.13 Voiding Track Bulletins ....................................... 15-6

15.14 Delivering Track Bulletins ................................... 15-6

16.0 Rules Applicable Only in Direct Traffic

Control (DTC) Limits ................................ 16-1

16.1 Authority to Enter DTC Limits............................. 16-1

16.1.1 Switches Between DTC Blocks ........... 16-1

16.2 DTC Authority ..................................................... 16-1

16.3 Movement in a Specified Direction..................... 16-2

16.3.1 Leaving the Main Track........................ 16-3

16.4 Work and Time ................................................... 16-3

16.5 Changing DTC Authority .................................... 16-4

16.6 Releasing DTC Authority .................................... 16-4 i-11GCOR—Eighth Edition—April 1, 2020

16.7 Communication Failure ...................................... 16-5

17.0 Rules Applicable Only in Automatic

Train Control (ATC) Territory ................... 17-1

17.1 Automatic Train Control Territory ........................ 17-1

17.2 Taking Charge .................................................... 17-1

17.3 Cut In and Cut Out Requirements ...................... 17-1

17.4 Departure Test Requirements ............................ 17-2

17.4.1 Departure Test Reporting ..................... 17-2

17.5 High Speed Setting ............................................ 17-3

17.5.1 Over 40 MPH ....................................... 17-3

17.5.2 Under 40 MPH ..................................... 17-3

17.5.3 Restricting Cab Signal ......................... 17-3

17.6 Conforming with Block Signals........................... 17-3

17.6.1 Approaching Diverging Route .............. 17-4

17.7 ATC Failure/Cut Out Enroute ............................. 17-4

17.7.1 Speed Indicator in ATC ........................ 17-5

17.7.2 ATC Motion Light ................................. 17-5

17.7.3 Audible Indicator .................................. 17-5

17.8 Improper Display ................................................ 17-5

18.0 Rules Applicable Only In Positive Train

Control (PTC) Territory ............................. 18-1

18.1 Positive Train Control Territory ........................... 18-1

18.2 Taking Charge of PTC Equipped Trains ............. 18-1

18.3 Broken or Missing Seals .................................... 18-1

18.4 PTC Cut Out ....................................................... 18-1

18.5 PTC Trip Completion .......................................... 18-1

18.6 Consist Data....................................................... 18-1

18.7 Comparison of PTC Display Information ............ 18-1

18.8 PTC System Inputs and Prompts ....................... 18-1

18.9 Use of Restricted Mode...................................... 18-1

18.10 Reserved for future use...................................... 18-2

18.11 Reserved for future use...................................... 18-2

18.12 Reserved for future use...................................... 18-2

19.0 Section Reserved ..................................... 19-1

Glossary ................................................................. GL-1

Abbreviations......................................................... GL-1

1-1GCOR—Eighth Edition—April 1, 2020

1.0 General Responsibilities

1.1 Safety

Safety is the most important element in performing duties. Obeying the rules is essential to job safety and continued employment.

1.1.1 Maintaining a Safe Course

In case of doubt or uncertainty, take the safe course.

1.1.2 Alert and Attentive

Employees must be careful to prevent injuring themselves or others. They must be alert and attentive when performing their duties and plan their work to avoid injury.

1.1.3 Accidents, Injuries, and Defects

Report by the first means of communication any accidents; personal injuries; defects in tracks, bridges, or signals; or any unusual condition that may affect the safe and efficient operation of the railroad. Where required, furnish a written report promptly after reporting the incident.

1.1.4 Condition of Equipment and Tools

Employees must check the condition of equipment and tools they use to perform their duties.

Employees must not use defective equipment or tools until they are safe to use. Employees must report any defects to the proper authority.

1.2 Personal Injuries and Accidents

1.2.1 Care for Injured

When passengers or employees are injured, do everything reasonable to care for them.

1.2.2 Witnesses

If equipment is involved in personal injury, loss of life, or damage to property, the employee in charge must immediately secure the names, addresses, and occupations of all persons involved, including all persons at the scene when the accident occurred and those that arrived soon after.

The employee in charge must secure the names regardless of whether these persons admit knowing anything about the accident.

The employee in charge must also obtain the license numbers of nearby automobiles. When necessary, other employees can assist in obtaining this information, which must be included in reports covering the incident.

Where signaling devices are provided or a flagman is on duty, the employee in charge and assisting employees must try to determine who, among the witnesses, can testify whether the signaling devices were functioning properly or if the flagman was performing his duties properly.

When possible, obtain the names of witnesses who can testify about the bell and whistle signals.

1.2.3 Equipment Inspection

If an accident results in personal injury or death, all tools, machinery, and other equipment involved, including the accident site, must be inspected promptly by the foreman, another person in charge of the work, or other competent inspectors. The inspector must promptly forward to his manager a report of the inspection. The report must include the condition of the equipment and the names of those making the inspection.

The equipment inspected must be marked for identification and placed in custody of the responsible manager or employee until the claims department is contacted and determines disposition.

1-2 GCOR—Eighth Edition—April 1, 2020

1.2.4 Mechanical Inspection

When engines, cars, or other equipment are involved in an accident that results in personal injury or death, the equipment must be inspected before it leaves the accident site.

A mechanical department employee must further inspect the equipment at the first terminal. This employee must promptly report inspection results to the proper manager.

1.2.5 Reporting

All cases of personal injury, while on duty or on company property, must be immediately reported to the proper manager and the prescribed form completed.

A personal injury that occurs while off duty that will in any way affect employee performance of duties must be reported to the proper manager as soon as possible. The injured employee must also complete the prescribed written form before returning to service.

If an employee receives a medical diagnosis of occupational illness, the employee must report it immediately to the proper manager.

1.2.6 Statements

Except when authorized by the proper manager:

• Information concerning accidents or personal injuries that occur to persons other than employees may be given only to an authorized representative of the railroad or an officer of the law.

• Information about the facts concerning the injury or death of an employee may be given only to a person in interest such as the injured employee, an immediate relative of the injured or deceased employee, an authorized representative of the railroad, or an officer of the law.

• Information in the files or in other privileged or confidential reports of the railroad concerning accidents or personal injuries may be given only to an authorized representative of the railroad.

1.2.7 Furnishing Information

Employees must not withhold information, or fail to give all the facts to those authorized to receive information regarding unusual events, accidents, personal injuries, or rule violations.

1.3 Rules

1.3.1 Rules, Regulations, and Instructions

Safety Rules. Employees must have a copy of, be familiar with, and comply with all safety rules issued in a separate book or in another form.

General Code of Operating Rules. Employees governed by these rules must have a current copy they can refer to while on duty.

Hazardous Materials. Employees who in any way handle hazardous materials must have a copy of the instructions or regulations for handling these materials. Employees must be familiar with and comply with these instructions or regulations.

Air Brakes. Employees whose duties are affected by air brake operation must have a copy of the rules and instructions for operating air brakes and train handling. Employees must know and obey these rules and instructions.

Timetable and Special Instructions. Employees whose duties are affected by the timetable and special instructions must have a current copy they can refer to while on duty.

1-3GCOR—Eighth Edition—April 1, 2020

Train Dispatchers and Control Operators. The train dispatchers and control operators must have a copy of the rules and instructions for train dispatchers and control operators. They must be familiar with and obey those rules and instructions.

Classes. Employees must be familiar with and obey all rules, regulations, and instructions and must attend required classes. They must pass the required examinations.

Explanation. Employees must ask their supervisor for an explanation of any rule, regulation, or instruction they are unsure of.

Issued, Canceled, or Modified. Rules may be issued, canceled, or modified by track bulletin, general order, or special instructions.

1.3.2 General Orders

General orders:

• Are numbered consecutively.

• Are issued and canceled by the designated manager.

• Contain only information and instructions related to rules or operating practices.

• Replace any rule, special instruction, or regulation that conflicts with the general order.

Before beginning each day’s work or trip, crew members and any others whose duties require, must review general orders that apply to the territory they will work on.

1.3.3 Circulars, Instructions, and Notices

Circulars, instructions, notices, and other information are issued and canceled by the designated manager. Before beginning each day’s work or trip, crew members and any others whose duties require, must review those that apply to the territory they will work on.

1.4 Carrying Out Rules and Reporting Violations

Employees must cooperate and assist in carrying out the rules and instructions. They must promptly report any violations to the proper supervisor. They must also report any condition or practice that may threaten the safety of trains, passengers, or employees, and any misconduct or negligence that may affect the interest of the railroad.

1.4.1 Good Faith Challenge

A. Right to Challenge

Federal Regulations have provisions that allow an employee the right to challenge a directive which, based upon the employee’s good faith determination, would violate a railroad operating rule relating to:

• Shoving movements.

• Leaving equipment foul of an adjacent track.

or

• Handling of hand-operated switches or fixed derails.

B. Good Faith Challenge Procedure

1. An employee may inform a supervisor issuing a directive that a good faith determination has been made that the directive would violate a railroad operating rule relating to:

• Shoving movements.

• Leaving equipment foul of an adjacent track.

or

• Handling of hand-operated switches or fixed derails.

1-4 GCOR—Eighth Edition—April 1, 2020

2. The supervisor will not require the employee to comply with the directive until the challenge is resolved. The supervisor may:

• Require the challenging employee to perform other tasks not related to the challenge until the challenge is resolved.

or

• Direct an employee, other than the challenging employee, to perform the challenged task before the challenge is resolved. Employee so directed will be informed of the challenge, and determine that the challenged task does not violate the rules.

C. Resolving Good Faith Challenge

1. A challenge may be resolved by one of the following:

• The supervisor’s acceptance of the employee’s request.

• An employee’s acceptance of the directive.

• An employee’s agreement to a compromise solution acceptable to the person issuing the directive.

2. If the challenge cannot be resolved because the supervisor issuing the directive has determined that the employee’s challenge has not been made in good faith or there is no alternative to the direct order, the railroad will:

• Provide immediate review by at least one manager, which must not be conducted by the supervisor issuing the challenged directive or that supervisor’s subordinate.

• Resolve the challenge using the same options available…