When a train is told to “protect against” another movement, what exactly does that mean? Does it just mean “look out for”, or are speed restrictions implied? Is it indefinite with respect to time and distance, or do limits apply? And is it just against opposing movements, or can a train be ordered to protect against a movement in the same direction?
Thanks.
Are you referring to the present day or the timetable-and-train-order era? And what railway are you referring to, or which rulebook? Different railways use different rulebooks, and while they all accomplish virtually the same thing, the terminology is different.
In the present day, “protect against” in the way I think you’re using it means “be aware that there is another train, maintenance of way machine, or foreman within the limits of your authority,” which on a railway governed by the General Code of Operating Rules (most present-day western and central U.S. railways) requires you to travel at restricted speed (not more than 20 mph, able to stop within one-half the limit of vision short of anything). The authority you hold has definite locational limits defined either by the timetable, a track warrant, a DTC authority, or signal indication (as well as a few other less common types of authority). You can’t be on a main track without an authority.
Under GCOR rules the following train protection is seldom applied. If there are two trains within the same authority they are required to move at restricted speed and on most railways have “work between” i.e., non-directional, authorities. This is commonly used for the obvious work trains but less obviously for attaching helpers to trains, having two locals work industries within close proximity to each other (or very commonly a local and a work train), or more often than you would think, taking one through train close up behind another to do an overtake. For example, the train that will be overtaken will take a siding but you want that train to hold off the siding until the overtaking train arrives because there are grade crossings you don’t want to block (sidings are so frequently found inside towns). So you put both trains onto a joint authority so you can tuck them right up to each other.
S. Hadid
In the classic timetable-and-train-order environment, “protect against” pretty specifically meant to deploy flag protection as specfied in Rule 99. In short, to send out a flagman (or flagmen) to a safe distance to protect a stopped train, with the appropriate equipment depending on whether it was daytime or nighttime. When the flagman was recalled – by whistle signal – he would leave explosive warning devices called torpedoes on the rails and a flare called a fusee burning between the rails, to continue the protection while he was returning to his train. Protection might be necessary against either following or opposing movements. If the dispatcher issued a “protect against” order he’d know which way the potentially conflicting traffic was moving and specify in the order either a direction or a specific train. So long, Andy
In common usage today, Protect Against, means be on the look out for. Movements associated with Protect Against are typically made at restricted speed.
Nick
Thanks to all of you. This clarifies things for me. I should have mentioned that I’m interested in 1980’s-era CP Rail. I use their “Manual Block System” of traffic control from that period, which as far as I can tell is similar to present-day TWC in the states.
Thanks again.
Since I was retired on disability in 1988 I can’t help w/ current practice but on the three RRs I woked for the “protect against” order was typically issued to work extras (which would include locals). it would give right of track over scheduled trains w/in set limits of space and time and would specify"not protecting against extra trains except…" and would then require protection against expected trains based on their anticipated time at the limits of the order such as "protects agains extra 1234 west after 1015 AM, prtects against extra 5678East after 1230 PM, etc.
So, if I’m reading you right, the extras would have to be in the clear for trains listed and on the regulaar timetable???