A procedure to allow safe access to cross or enter/exit the trackway in under a minute or so. This is often used at Rainier Beach station by supervisors that don't want to cross the street legally. They will get 'access approval' to cross the tracks at the south end of the platform, then jaywalk across MLK. Nice example.
Automatic Train Protection. See Extended Definitions.
Embedded receivers for the TWC. Basically big, rectangular antennas so the train can send and receive signals from the system that controls the signals and switches.
2 switches and a section of track joining two tracks. See Extended Definitions and pictures.
Identifies a 'piece of work' to be performed by an operator.
a 'spare train' kept in the yard in case a train breaks down in the field. The gap train is manned during peak hours.
An electric device that deliniates a track circuit. These look like around 10" square boxes in between the rails.
2 crossovers together in opposite directions. See Extended Definitions and pictures.
Link Control Center - the radio control center of Link.
Light Rail Vehicle, also called 'cars'.
The mainline is the primary track the trains operate on while in service. Tracks in the yard, pocket tracks, crossovers, etc. are not mainline.
The operator is responsible for the safe operation of a train, including opening and closing the doors, setting up the cascade and watching for hazards. They don't like to be called drivers because there is no steering wheel on a train.
Passenger Emergency Intercom - a system that allows a passenger to communicate with the train operator in the event of an emergency, such as a medical condition or fire.
An interlocking with an extended center section, large enough to store a train out of the way. See Extended Definitions and pictures.
The issued rules employees (mainly train operators) must follow. Written by committee.
Supervisory Control And Data Aquisition - The software used to operate the railroad. Originally designed to operate manufacturing facilities.
Lights that indicate to an operator that the track is set up properly for the train to go forward or to indicate that the train needs to stop.. ( Switches set for the desired route, etc. ) At rail, yellow is called 'amber' and white is called 'lunar'. Amber means stop, and lunar means go. On MLK you will also see flashing signals. Flashing amber means the signal is about to change to lunar, and flashing lunar means the signal is about to change to amber.
A procedure to allow safe access to the trackway for up to 30 minutes at a time. Tools with extensions (power cords, air hoses, etc.) aren't supposed to be used under simple approval, but this isn't strictly enforced. If there is a simple approval, the train will probably be stopped to let the work crew know a train wants to go through, then the train will go through the area at 20 mph.
Using crossovers to operate trains in both directions on a single track, taking turns. Used if a section of track is unavailable for use, such as blocked by an auto accident, for example, or something is being worked on.
Refers to the train not being in ATP mode. Also refers to any area that is not ATP territory.
Maximum speed in street running is 35 mph.
Devices in the track that can move to send a train one of two ways. Bi-directional. See Extended Definitions.
A specific section of track that the system can detect train presence/movement within.
The track itself and an area around 10 feet from it.
A daily informational write up of things operators need to be aware of.
Train to Wayside Communications. The system the operators use to communicate with SCADA. Used to tell the system what route is desired, or to initiate a cascade.
When workers walk along a section of track, looking for defects and/or removing debris. When there is a walking inspection, the crew will tell LCC where they are every tenth of a mile. This information is provided to the train operators. When the train approaches, the flagger will give a signal to the train that they can pass through the area. The train will then pass through at 20 mph.
A more structered area where more intense work is being performed, such as replacing a section of track. A work zone must be noted on the daily train orders, and have several 'flags' ( or boards ) set up as follows. A white flag to tell operators that the work zone is coming up. Then a yellow flag to let them know to slow down. Then a red flag to let them know they have to stop. When they have permission to go through the work zone, they go 10 mph until a green flag, then they can resume normal operating speed.
The storage area where trains are kept when not in use. See Extended Definitions and pictures.
The primary signal used to enter and exit the yard from the mainline, or enter/exit the mainline from the yard. See pictures.
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