Publication Update Documentation

(2) Navy railroad operations involve the movement of hazardous materials and

equipment, often in potentially conflicting paths. An accident can lead to the death or serious

injury of crew members and other personnel. Constant vigilance is required by all involved in rail

operations to avoid errors in judgment caused by either familiarity with or inattention to everyday

repetitive tasks.

(3) Rules are developed and instituted to address specific operational issues. The

ultimate responsibility for a safe operation rests with the Installation Commander. However,

those who supervise, dispatch, and operate the trains are directly responsible for railroad safety.

Rules cannot be written for every conceivable rail operation. Rules are a framework around

which a safe operation can be built with common sense and the desire to work in a safe manner.

f. Drug and Alcohol Testing. Navy personnel involved in operation of a train are

subject to drug and alcohol testing due to public safety consideration. As a minimum, the

conductor, engineer, and braker/switcher must be tested. Installation Commanders shall ensure

that all railroad personnel, including the three crew members listed above and the dispatcher and

railroad supervisor, comply with the drug and alcohol testing program in accordance with the

requirements and procedures found in the Department of Navy Office of Personnel Management,

OCPM Instruction 12792.3 series.

NOTE:

Inclusion of the dispatcher and railroad supervisor are more stringent requirements than contained

in OCPM Instruction 12792.3 series.

g. Railroad Mishap Reporting. Railroad mishaps include incidents such as derailments;

collisions with other trains, stopped or moving vehicles, equipment on track, or structures; hot

boxes; fires; personal injuries or property damage; shifted loads due to improper blocking and

bracing; and hard couplings that require inspection of the load or railcar. Railroad mishaps shall

be reported in accordance with the OPNAV Instruction 5102.1 series, OPNAV Instruction

5100.23 series, NAVFAC P-300, NAVFAC Instruction 11230.1 series, and others as appropriate.

Publication Update Documentation.

All revisions to this publication shall be recorded on the revision log sheet and

incorporated into the handbook.

Definitions Relevant to Navy Rail Operations.

'A' END OF CAR. The end of a railcar opposite the "B" or brake end.

ABSOLUTE BLOCK. A section of track which no train is permitted to enter while it is

occupied by another train, except as prescribed by the governing directives.

ADAPTER, ROLLER BEAMNGS. A casting that fits between an axle roller bearing and the

truck side frame to transfer the load from the side frame to the bearing.

ADHESION. A measure of the ability of locomotive driving wheels to accept rotational force

without slipping on rails, usually expressed as a percent of the total weight on the drivers.

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