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NTSB: Crew error caused 2010 Canadian National collision in Minnesota
The southbound was already in the siding. Did it occur to the crew that they were put in the siding for a reason?
What is an after-arrival track authority?
I am retired BNSF. “After-arrival” track authority simply means that the dispatcher will issue a Track Warrant to a train via radio telling one train to check box 2 to operate between (an example) the “South Siding Switch Andover and CTC Coon Creek on the Main Track. Check box 5 (I believe) authority in effect after the arrival of BNSF 9900 North at the South Siding Switch Andover”. This is to prevent the southward train from leaving the siding at Andover until the northbound train has passed him. The various railroad radio websites have many parts of the country to listen to. As I am familiar with Minneapolis/St. Paul, this is what I listen to. Track Warrants are used in both non-signaled and signaled territory. They are non used in CTC territory. Each train crew has a pad of preprinted Track Warrant forms.