You couple power to a train. After stretching the joint and cutting in the air on the train, the lead locomotive is fouling the lead. Can you secure the power and leave the train fouling the lead?

• A. If the track is lined properly, yes.
• B. Only if the dispatcher approves.
• C. If the track is not lined properly.
• D. No, you must leave the train fouling the lead.

Answer: (A)

Protection comes from having the track properly lined. When you couple up and the lead locomotive fouls the lead, you’re occupying the track that other movements could use. If the track is lined properly, switches are set, interlocking protects the occupancy, and signals gate any approach by other trains, so that movement is safely protected even with the lead fouling. In that case you can secure power and leave the train fouling the lead, because the protection is in place to prevent conflicts.

Dispatcher approval isn’t required separately in this scenario when the track is correctly lined. If the track weren’t lined properly, you wouldn’t proceed with securing power. Leaving the train fouling the lead isn’t the correct action when proper lining already provides the necessary protection.