General Code of Operating Rules
The General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR) is a set of operating rules for railroads in the United States. The GCOR is used by Class I railroads west of Chicago, most of the Class II railroads, and many Short-line railroads.[citation needed]
Some railroads in northeast United States follow NORAC, while Canada and Mexico have their own set of operating rules that govern their railroad operations.[citation needed]
Overview[edit]
The GCOR rules are intended to enhance railroad safety. The rules cover employee responsibilities, signaling equipment, procedures for safe train movement, dealing with accidents and other topics that directly and indirectly affect railroad safety. Some railroads modify the GCOR rules to suit their specific operations.
The GCOR is supplemented by System Special Instructions, Timetables, Hazardous Materials Instructions, Air Brake and Train Handling Instructions, and General Orders. These documents are issued by each individual railroad. System Special instructions, Timetables, and General Order can modify or amend the General Code of Operating Rules. GCOR 1.3.2 states that General Orders replace any rule, special instruction, or regulation that conflicts with the general order.[1]
Some railroads will maintain what they call a "living rulebook." As amendments are released via general order or special instruction, they will update the specific page that was affected.[citation needed]
The current version of the GCOR is the Eighth Edition, effective April 1, 2020.[2]
Most railroads are using the Seventh Edition, effective April 1, 2015.[citation needed]
Categories[edit]
The full set of GCOR rules is divided into 19 categories.
- General Responsibilities
- Railroad Radio and Communication Rules
- Section Reserved
- Timetables
- Signals and Their Use
- Movement of Trains and Engines
- Switching
- Switches
- Block System Rules
- Rules Applicable Only in Centralized Traffic Control (CTC)
- Rules Applicable in ACS, ATC and ATS Territories
- Rules Applicable Only in Automatic Train Stop (ATS) Territory
- Rules Applicable Only in Automatic Cab Signal System (ACS) Territory
- Rules Applicable Only Within Track Warrant Control (TWC) Limits
- Track Bulletin Rules
- Rules Applicable Only in Direct Traffic Control (DTC) Limits
- Rules Applicable Only in Automatic Train Control (ATC) Territory
- Rules Applicable Only in Positive Train Control (PTC) Territory
- Section Reserved
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ General Code of Operating Rules. 2015. Search this book on
- ↑ https://insidetrack.akrr.com/web/NEWS/AllAboard/2019_08_AllAboard.pdf[bare URL PDF]
External links[edit]
- U S Department of Transportation - Compliance with Railroad Operating Rules and Corporate Culture Influences, October 1999
- General Code of Operating Rules, April 7, 2010
- General Code of Operating Rules, April 1, 2015
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