Flag protection - 66 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2706

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     § 2706.  Flag protection.
        (a)  General rule.--All railroads operating in this
     Commonwealth shall promulgate and maintain appropriate operating
     rules and special instructions for the government of their
     respective employees in conformity with the following:
            (1)  When a train stops under circumstances in which it
        may be overtaken by another train, a member of the crew must
        provide flagging protection by going back immediately with a
        red flag, torpedoes and fusees by day and with a red and/or
        white light, torpedoes and fusees by night, a sufficient
        distance to insure full protection, placing two torpedoes on
        the rail and also, when necessary, display lighted fusees.
            (2)  When recalled and safety to the train will permit,
        he may return.
            (3)  When conditions require, he will leave the torpedoes
        and a lighted fusee.
            (4)  The front of the train must be protected in the same
        way, when necessary, by a member of the crew.
            (5)  When a train is moving under circumstances in which
        it may be overtaken by another train, a member of the crew
        must take such action as may be necessary to insure full
        protection. By night, or by day, when the view is obscured,
        lighted fusees must be dropped off the moving train or
        displayed at proper intervals.
            (6)  When day signals cannot be plainly seen, owing to
        weather or other conditions, night signals must also be used.
            (7)  Conductors and enginemen are responsible for the
        protection of their trains.
            (8)  When a pusher engine is assisting a train, coupled
        behind the cabin or caboose car, and the member of the crew
        who protects the rear-end of the train is riding in the cabin
        or caboose car, the requirements as to the fusees will be met
        by dropping them off between the cabin or caboose car and
        pusher engine on the track the train is using, and not
        between that track and an adjacent track.
        (b)  Exceptions.--Unless specific circumstances indicate to
     the contrary, it will be presumed that trains stopping under the
     following circumstances will not be overtaken by another train:
            (1)  Passenger trains making normal station stops.
            (2)  All trains stopping in manual block territory
        protected by absolute block.
            (3)  All trains stopping so as to be completely within
        the limits of classification or storage yards at the usual
        place to change crews or remove power.
        (c)  Construction of section.--For the purposes of this
     section a "train" means a movement on which the air brakes must
     be connected and functioning under Federal law. This section is
     not intended to require the employment of additional employees
     or restrict the use of crew members in any manner.
        (d)  Enforcement.--The commission shall enforce the
     provisions of this section.

Last modified: November 27, 2007