And it's gone. Effective 02/15/21 Automatic Train Stop on BNSF is removed from service at locations where PTC is in effect.
Effective February 15, 2021, BNSF will retire Automatic Train Stop (ATS) on all PTC subdivisions equipped with IETMS, except for the BNSF La Junta Subdivision. BNSF Engineering field teams will proceed with disablement and
ultimate removal of all assets. This is currently estimated to take place over the next 90 to 180 days.
The following is BNSF’s multi-step ATS retirement plan:
1. Effective February 15, 2021, BNSF subdivision General Orders remove ATS references from the
timetables and increase maximum speeds on tracks running against the current of traffic where ATS was
in service.
2. Effective February 15, 2021, BNSF Multi-Sub Track Bulletin Form C will be issued outlining the
requirements during the removal period.
3. A new BNSF GCOR Rule 18.12, (Movements with Inoperative PTC System) will be adopted to ensure an
equivalent level of operational safety remains in place for trains operating without PTC protection. This
rule will require Passenger Trains operating with PTC in a non-ACTIVE state reduce to 79 MPH during
2021.
a. NOTE: The following I-ETMS system states will require the train to reduce speed to 79 MPH:
i. DISENGAGED
ii. CUT OUT
iii. FAILED
iv. INITIALIZING
4. As removals are completed, the BNSF Form C will be updated to reflect the completed subdivision.
The disablement timeline will result in a temporary condition where ATS inductors may or may not alert,
depending on the progress of removal. A BNSF multi-sub Track Bulletin Form C will govern train movements
experiencing this condition until assets are removed entirely from a subdivision. As a result, the engineer must
continue to acknowledge the ATS alerts during the disablement/removal period.
The BNSF La Junta Subdivision is not included in ATS retirement at this time. BNSF Glorietta and Raton
Subdivisions are non-PTC equipped subdivisions, therefore ATS operating rules will remain in effect. ATS
Departure Test and associated MAP 100 documentation requirements for Amtrak train(s) 3 and 4 will be
unchanged at this time.
Subdivisions effected -
Cajon, Needles, Seligman, Gallup, Boise City, Topeka, Emporia, Marceline.
Effective 02/15/21 at 0001 CT, ATS is retired on subdivisions listed. Passenger trains operating without the PTC system in an "active" state are restricted to 79 MPH. During the removal period, engineers of ATS-equipped trains may be required to acknowledge ATS alerts as if the system was in service. Train dispatcher notification of conditions related to ATS is not required.
The above information was posted to the Facebook "Rules Department" group.
Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel
Is just a freight train coming your way
No leaf clover ~ Metallica.