Canadian Rail Operating Rules

The Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR) is a set of operating rules for railways in Canada. The CROR is used by every Canadian railway.

Overview

The CROR rules are intended to enhance railway safety. The rules cover employee responsibilities, signaling equipment, procedures for safe train movement, dealing with accidents and other topics that directly and indirectly affect railway safety.

Categories

The full set of CROR rules is divided into 22 categories.

  1. General Responsibilities
  2. General Notice
  3. General Rule
  4. Definitions
  5. Operating Rules
  6. Time and Time Tables (Rules 1-6)
  7. Signals - General (Rules 11-35)
  8. Protection of Impassable or Slow Track (Rules 40-49)
  9. Movement of Trains and Engines (Rules 51-116)
  10. Radio (Rules 117-127)
  11. General Procedures (Rules 131-148)
  12. General Bulletin Order (GBO) (Rules 151-155)
  13. Forms of GBO
  14. Occupancy Control System (OCS) Rules (Rules 301-313)
  15. Special Control System (SCS) Rules (Rules 351-353)
  16. General Description and Location of Fixed Signals (Rules 401-404)
  17. Block and Interlocking Signals(Rules 405-430)
  18. Automatic Block Signal System (ABS) Rules (Rules 505-517)
  19. Centralized Traffic Control System (CTC) (Rules 560-576)
  20. Interlocking Rules (Rule 601-620)
  21. Optional Rules (Multi Control System and Rules 49.4, 314, 577 and 577.1)
  22. Rules for the Protection of Track Units and Track Work

Signal Aspects


Canada uses a signal system similar to the United States' signalling system, in that signals are either 1, two or three headed, and each one can show any of the aspects described above. There are different signal systems for rapid transit and other urban rail systems in Canada. There are also various types of signs that can be placed on a signal mast, which can modify a signal. An L plate upgrades any medium speed signal to limited speed. An A plate is indicative of an absolute signal, you cannot pass that signal at all red signals. An R plate upgrades a regular All red signal from a stop and proceed signal to a restricting signal. A DV plate makes a slow speed signal into a diverging speed. Note Canada uses miles per hour not kilometres per hour, even though road speed limits are in KM/h.

Speed Limits

Speed limits

The signal system explained here assumes the signal displaying has three heads. Any signal indication that has a solid red on the third head down can also be indicated with just two heads. Any indication with solid red lights on the second and third heads down can be indicated with just 1 head. EG a green light on the top head still means proceed at track speed, no speed restrictions or stops within the next three signals, regardless of if the signal has only 1 head or not. A flashing yellow on the second head down with red on top and bottom would still mean limited to stop even if there was no bottom head. This article will also indicate a signal indication by stating the colour of the signal over another colour of the signal over the next colour of the signal, IE red over flashing green over flashing yellow. A signal can indicate some sort of restriction two signals in advance by flashing a yellow on the top head. If the signal heads are staggered, as in, one light is on the left side of the mast, then the next one down to the right side of the mast, etc., then that means signals are controlled by the automated CTC signal system, stop signals are not absolute. If all the heads are on one side or the other side of the mast, then a stop signal is absolute. If the signal is absolute, then the stop indication means stop and do not go until the signal improves or the crew gets written permission from RTC to proceed. If they are not absolute, the signal is controlled by CTC, and the crew may go at restricting speed after a complete stop.[1][2] Any signal that is ambiguous or otherwise unclear or if any of the lights are not showing, then the signal must be read as if they are showing the most restrictive aspects they can display unless a solid yellow is on the bottom head, as if the other signals are extinguished, they must be interpreted as if they are solid red, and a red over red over yellow does in fact mean restricting. [3]

Signal Meanings=

This shows most signal combinations that can be made using CROR approved signals

(Any L plate on the signal mast makes any medium speed indication a limited speed upgrade)

(Note that any slow speed indication can become diverging speed instead of the standard low speed)

External links

References

  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4lUiaWT8wE
  2. ↑ http://www.railroadsignals.us/rulebooks/cror/
  3. ↑ https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/railsafety/rules-tco167-163.htm