Saw a local empty grain train today going from Maumee Oh to the east side of Toledo Oh without an EOT or red flag on the last car. The route is single track and “dark” and the trip is i would say 10 miles or so. Any rules violation here?
Probably not–your entire move was probably within yard limits. A flag would have been appropriate, but may not be a requirement.
What Carl said.
From NORAC, Eighth (current) Edition:
[quote]
- Markers
On a main track or controlled siding outside of yard limits, the rear of a train must be identified by a marker as prescribed below:
a. Passenger Trains, Engines
Passenger trains, lite engines and engines operating at the rear of a train must: - Be equipped with an illuminated marking device.
OR - Have the rear headlight on low beam at all times.
b. Other Trains
Trains other than passenger trains must be equipped with an illuminated marking device under the following conditions: - From one hour before sunset until one hour after sunrise.
- When the visibility is so restricted that the end silhouette of a box car cannot be seen from one-half mile on a straight track.
During other periods, a reflector, flag, or extinguished marking device may be used.
c. Illuminated Marking Device
When an illuminated marking device will be required en route, it must be tested before a train leaves its initial terminal. When
I didnt mention the train was NS that is why i was surprised with NS being the safety company and all.
No rule violation , it was a cut of cars and which in yard limits a marker is not required and on my trains some times the marker seems to blow off the car… at least thats my story and im sticking to it.
Oh, that flag - it’s in the back of my truck… [;)]
was that a checkerd flag…
no a checkerd history but a red flag 
Thanx for the info Wabash!
It is true that the entire line could have been in yard limits, but there are other reasons why there was no marker. That line could have been a running track. Markers are not required on a running track, even at night.
Bryan
What’s a running track?
In general, I do believe that a running track is non-signaled track with entrance to the track granted by the employee in charge (usually dispatcher). The speed on a running track is either 10 MPH or restricted speed. (I forget which)
Bryan
Running rails are what the GCOR refers to as “Other than main track”.
From the GCOR…
Yard
A system of tracks, other than main tracks and
sidings, used for making up trains, storing cars, and
other purposes.
Yard Limits
A portion of main track designated by yard limit
signs and timetable special instructions or a track
bulletin.
A run through track, one that runs through a yard without a turnout into any of the yard tracks is an example of a “running rail”…and many smaller regional railroads are, by design, completely within yard limits, so their lines, all of them inside and outside of the yard proper, are running rails.
Yard limits are not necessarily located at the geographical boundaries of a yard proper.
My railroad has 60 miles of running rail, operated and used as if they were main line rail, with the exceptions provided by being designated as “within yard limits”(see the above definition of yard limits) no EOTs, no way side signal system, dark territory, running under GCOR rule, 6.28 restricted speed, not to exceed 20 mph.
The speed limit is specified by the railroads timetable…10, 15 mph…but not to exceed 20 mph.
Yard limits can be where ever the railroad wants them to be…most terminal, belt and switching railroads are entirely with in yard limits.
They may also have or share main line tracks with other railroads and EOTS would be required when operating on those tracks, but within yard limits no EOT is needed.
My collection of employee timetables includes several from the Rock Island, and several short branches are shown as being entirely within yard limits.