Dark territory
Encyclopedia
Dark territory is a term used in the North American railroad industry to describe a section of track
not controlled by signals
. Train
movements in dark territory are controlled by track warrant
s or train order operation, with train dispatcher
s issuing orders by radio
communication with train engineers
.
in the U.S. that are not controlled by signals. This situation has occasionally resulted in train wreck
s, some with fatalities, related to the complexities and miscommunications that may occur within the track warrant system. Since 1991 the National Transportation Safety Board
(NTSB) had recommended that railroads be required to install positive train control
(PTC) systems to prevent such accidents. NTSB also recommended that railroads revise the use of certain types of track warrants to avoid miscommunication. In 2008 Congress
passed a law
requiring installation of PTC technology in most of the U.S. rail network by 2015.
of BNSF Railway
, in California
and Oregon
, is unsignalled and operates with track warrant control (TWC).
of the Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad
, a 124 mile (200 km) freight line in Iowa
and Minnesota
, is not signalled. The line is operated with TWC.
of the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad
, a 103 mile (166 km) freight line in Minnesota, is not signalled and uses TWC. Several other portions of the railroad converted to signalled operation in 2008.
in New York
, the nation's busiest commuter railroad, still operates two sections of track in dark territory. The Montauk Branch
between Speonk
station and Montauk
, as well as the Main Line
between Ronkonkoma
and Greenport
, operate without any signalling or Automatic Train Control
system. Train crews must receive permission from the Block Operator to traverse those sections of the railroad in the form of train orders, in addition to strictly adhering to the rules and special instructions of the railroad's timetable.
Rail tracks
The track on a railway or railroad, also known as the permanent way, is the structure consisting of the rails, fasteners, sleepers and ballast , plus the underlying subgrade...
not controlled by signals
Railway signal
A signal is a mechanical or electrical device erected beside a railway line to pass information relating to the state of the line ahead to train/engine drivers. The driver interprets the signal's indication and acts accordingly...
. Train
Train
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track to transport cargo or passengers from one place to another place. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate...
movements in dark territory are controlled by track warrant
Track warrant
Track warrants are systematized permissions used on some railroad lines to authorize a train's use of the main line. Dispatchers issue these permissions to train crews instead of using signals. The crews receive track warrants by radio, phone, or electronic transmission from a...
s or train order operation, with train dispatcher
Train dispatcher
A train dispatcher is employed by a railroad to direct and facilitate the movement of trains over an assigned territory, which is usually part, or all, of a railroad operating division. In Canada the train dispatcher is known as the rail traffic controller...
s issuing orders by radio
Two-way radio
A two-way radio is a radio that can both transmit and receive , unlike a broadcast receiver which only receives content. The term refers to a personal radio transceiver that allows the operator to have a two-way conversation with other similar radios operating on the same radio frequency...
communication with train engineers
Railroad engineer
A railroad engineer, locomotive engineer, train operator, train driver or engine driver is a person who drives a train on a railroad...
.
Safety concerns
As of 2011 there are over 7,000 rail junctionsJunction (rail)
A junction, in the context of rail transport, is a place at which two or more rail routes converge or diverge.This implies a physical connection between the tracks of the two routes , 'points' and signalling.one or two tracks each meet at a junction, a fairly simple layout of tracks suffices to...
in the U.S. that are not controlled by signals. This situation has occasionally resulted in train wreck
Train wreck
A train wreck or train crash is a type of disaster involving one or more trains. Train wrecks often occur as a result of miscommunication, as when a moving train meets another train on the same track; or an accident, such as when a train wheel jumps off a track in a derailment; or when a boiler...
s, some with fatalities, related to the complexities and miscommunications that may occur within the track warrant system. Since 1991 the National Transportation Safety Board
National Transportation Safety Board
The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent U.S. government investigative agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation. In this role, the NTSB investigates and reports on aviation accidents and incidents, certain types of highway crashes, ship and marine...
(NTSB) had recommended that railroads be required to install positive train control
Positive Train Control
Positive train control is a system of monitoring and controlling train movements to provide increased safety.-Overview:The main concept in PTC is that the train receives information about its location and where it is allowed to safely travel, also known as movement authorities...
(PTC) systems to prevent such accidents. NTSB also recommended that railroads revise the use of certain types of track warrants to avoid miscommunication. In 2008 Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
passed a law
Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008
The Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 is a United States federal law, enacted by Congress to improve railroad safety. It was signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 16, 2008. Among its provisions, the most notable was the mandate requiring positive train control on most of the US...
requiring installation of PTC technology in most of the U.S. rail network by 2015.
BNSF Railway
The Gateway SubdivisionGateway Subdivision
The Gateway Subdivsion is a railroad line in the U.S. states of Oregon and California owned by the BNSF Railway.-History:The earliest traces of railroad activity on the Gateway Subdivision traces to two major railroads, the Great Northern Railway and the Western Pacific Railroad...
of BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway
The BNSF Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It is one of seven North American Class I railroads and the second largest freight railroad network in North America, second only to the Union Pacific Railroad, its primary...
, in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, is unsignalled and operates with track warrant control (TWC).
Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad
Most of the Owatonna SubdivisionOwatonna Subdivision
The Owatonna Subdivision or Owatonna Sub is a railway line in northern Iowa and southern Minnesota owned and operated by the Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad subsidiary of Canadian Pacific. It extends about from Mason City, Iowa in the south to a junction at Comus north of Faribault,...
of the Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad
Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad
The Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad was a Class II railroad operating in the north central United States. It has been controlled by the Canadian Pacific Railway and operated as a part of its system since October 30, 2008...
, a 124 mile (200 km) freight line in Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
and Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, is not signalled. The line is operated with TWC.
Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad
The Waseca SubdivisionWaseca Subdivision
The Waseca Subdivision or Waseca Sub is a railway line in southern Minnesota owned and operated by the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad subsidiary of Canadian Pacific. It stretches roughly from Winona, Minnesota in the east to Waseca in the west where the rails continue as the Tracy...
of the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad
Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad
The Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad is a Class II railroad subsidiary of the Canadian Pacific Railway operating across South Dakota and southern Minnesota in the northern plains of the United States...
, a 103 mile (166 km) freight line in Minnesota, is not signalled and uses TWC. Several other portions of the railroad converted to signalled operation in 2008.
Long Island Rail Road
The Long Island Rail RoadLong Island Rail Road
The Long Island Rail Road or LIRR is a commuter rail system serving the length of Long Island, New York. It is the busiest commuter railroad in North America, serving about 81.5 million passengers each year. Established in 1834 and having operated continuously since then, it is the oldest US...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, the nation's busiest commuter railroad, still operates two sections of track in dark territory. The Montauk Branch
Montauk Branch
The Montauk Branch is a rail line owned and operated by the Long Island Rail Road in the U.S. state of New York. The branch runs the length of Long Island, 115 miles from Long Island City on the west to Montauk on the east...
between Speonk
Speonk (LIRR station)
Speonk is an unmanned railroad station on the Montauk Branch of the Long Island Rail Road. It is located on North Phillips Avenue at Depot Road, in Speonk, New York, just north of Montauk Highway . The station has two parking lots, one operated by the Long Island Railroad, and the other operated...
station and Montauk
Montauk (LIRR station)
Montauk is the terminus of the Montauk Branch of the Long Island Rail Road, and as such is the easternmost railroad station on Long Island. The station is located on Edgemere Street and Fort Pond Road west of Montauk Harbor, New York....
, as well as the Main Line
Main Line (Long Island Rail Road)
The Main Line is a rail line owned and operated by the Long Island Rail Road in the U.S. state of New York. It begins in Long Island City and runs along the middle of Long Island about 95 miles to Greenport...
between Ronkonkoma
Ronkonkoma (LIRR station)
Ronkonkoma is a major railroad station and transportation hub along the Main Line of the Long Island Rail Road in Ronkonkoma, New York. The station is the eastern terminus of the Ronkonkoma Branch and the western terminus of the Greenport Branch....
and Greenport
Greenport (LIRR station)
The Greenport Railroad Station is the terminus of the Main Line of the Long Island Rail Road. It is officially located at Wiggins Street and Fourth Street in the Village of Greenport, New York, although the property spans as far east as 3rd Street and the Shelter Island North Ferry...
, operate without any signalling or Automatic Train Control
Automatic Train Control
Automatic Train Control is a train protection system for railways, ensuring the safe and smooth operation of trains on ATC-enabled lines. Its main advantages include making possible the use of cab signalling instead of track-side signals and the use of smooth deceleration patterns in lieu of the...
system. Train crews must receive permission from the Block Operator to traverse those sections of the railroad in the form of train orders, in addition to strictly adhering to the rules and special instructions of the railroad's timetable.
See also
- Glossary of rail terminology
- General Code of Operating RulesGeneral Code of Operating RulesThe General Code of Operating Rules is a set of operating rules for railroads in the United States. The GCOR is used by nearly every Class I railroad west of the Mississippi River, most of the Class II railroads, and many Short-line railroads....
- North American railway signalling