Dual control switches must not be hand-operated until permission is obtained from the?

Dual control switches must not be hand-operated until permission is obtained from the?

• A. Yardmaster
• B. Dispatcher
• C. Supervisor
• D. Engineer

Answer: (B)

Dual-control switches are a safety gate for movement on tracks, and their manual operation must be coordinated with the overall train movement plan. In NORAC operations, the dispatcher is the authority who coordinates and authorizes movements across a route, ensuring that a switch being hand-operated won’t create a conflicting or protected path for approaching trains. Granting permission from the dispatcher ensures active protection and proper sequencing with other traffic, so the operator knows it’s safe to move the switch without risking a collision or derailment. The other roles don’t have that overarching authority for route protection. A yardmaster handles operations inside the yard, but not the mainline movement authority; a supervisor or engineer does not provide the authorization required to manipulate a switch affecting train movements.

Dual-control switches are a safety gate for movement on tracks, and their manual operation must be coordinated with the overall train movement plan. In NORAC operations, the dispatcher is the authority who coordinates and authorizes movements across a route, ensuring that a switch being hand-operated won’t create a conflicting or protected path for approaching trains. Granting permission from the dispatcher ensures active protection and proper sequencing with other traffic, so the operator knows it’s safe to move the switch without risking a collision or derailment.

The other roles don’t have that overarching authority for route protection. A yardmaster handles operations inside the yard, but not the mainline movement authority; a supervisor or engineer does not provide the authorization required to manipulate a switch affecting train movements.