Territory Qualification
It’s come to our attention that management has been suggesting that the rules and FRA regulations allow for crews to go beyond their territory qualification provided that they proceed at restricted speed. The FRA has confirmed that this is incorrect. If you are not qualified where you are told to go, inform them that you are not qualified and require a pilot. If told to go without a pilot, do not be insubordinate or argumentative. Instead, document:
- The name of the manager/dispatcher that told you to go and at what time
- Times and mileposts of the start and end of where you were not qualified.
- The signal indications of all signals you pass between those mileposts.
- Keep a copy of your TCS/bulletins
Use this form to report violations and/or contact your LR reps directly. Try to do this as soon as possible so that we can secure evidence to further substantiate the violation.
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NTSB recommends an end to riding shoves
After investigating 16 shoving incidents since Oct 2020 where 14 trainmen were killed and 2 seriously injured, the NTSB released a recommendation report on Sept 17th. They are recommending a prohibition of railroad workers riding equipment to protect shoving moves.
This remains only a recommendation and does not change any FRA regs or UP operating rules.
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