Mickey is a Fort Worth locomotive engineer and Fort Worth Service Unit's Rules Instructor. Do you have a rules question you would like discussed in this column? If so, please e-mail it to Mickey Cowling at cowling@flash.net
I. The yardmaster has instructed us to go to Hodge Siding,
(CTC Territory), and get an engine and bring it into the
terminal. When we get to Hodge we find the engine is setting
on a spur track breaking off the siding.
Do we need to get authority from the dispatcher before
we enter the siding?
A. Yes
B. No
II. OK, similar situation as the question above. This time
we are going to the Old Siding at Hodge to get the engine.
When we get there we find the engine in a spur track breaking
off the Old Siding. Do we need dispatcher authority to enter
the Old Siding from the spur track.
(Hint)
There is actually only one siding at Hodge and it's not
to old.
A. Yes
B. No
III. Back to question I, we talk to the dispatcher and we
enter the siding at Hodge. We can't see the leaving signal
at the south end of the siding.
What speed are we required to be moving?
A. 20 MPH
B. Restricted Speed
C. 30 MPH
IV. We are still in the siding at Hodge, we can now see the
signal at the south end and it is a clear signal. Now how
fast can we run?
A. 20 MPH
B. Restricted Speed
C. 30 MPH
V. We are STILL in the siding at Hodge. The dispatcher
tells us to stop, and for some reason only known to him, we
are going to have to leave the siding from the north end.
So, now we are going the other way. How fast are we running?
A. 20 MPH
B. Restricted Speed
C. 30 MPH
When not teaching rules classes, Mickey works the 0700 Hump Job in Fort Worth.