Passing a Red Signal

Question:  What gives a Trainmaster the decision to allow an engineer to pass a stop signal indicator at restricted speed?
  
Answer:  With one notable exception discussed at the end, the trainmaster really doesn’t figure into this situation. 

Now, let’s be clear.  If we are talking about an intermediate signal (typically the signals between control points, such as crossovers, sidings, junctions and other interlockings), the most restrictive indication is Restricted Proceed.  In this case, the train crew needs no permission to proceed at restricted speed past the signal.  (Restricted speed is a speed that will permit stopping within one-half the range of vision.  It will also permit stopping short of a train, a car, an obstruction, a stop signal, a derail or an improperly lined switch.  It must permit looking out for broken rail.  It will not exceed 15 MPH.)  In fact, if the crew does not wish to pass such a signal, they must get verbal permission from the train dispatcher to stop and hold for a more favorable indication.  This is not unusual on a mainline when one train is riding the heels of another, just two signal blocks behind (so they are seeing an Approach indication at every intermediate signal); if they catch up enough on an Approach block, their next intermediate signal will be a Restricted Proceed since the train ahead will not have cleared the next block.

If we are talking about an absolute signal (typically governing movement through control points), for which the most restrictive indication is Stop, then the crew must stop the train before the signal and contact the dispatcher.  The dispatcher may give the crew verbal permission to pass the Stop signal and proceed at restricted speed.  Usually, the reason for doing this (as opposed to holding for a more favorable signal indication) will be obvious to the train crew.  They’ll know the specific situation and it will make sense.

Typically, a trainmaster would not be involved in any of this.  However, a trainmaster may work with a dispatcher to arrange such a set up so the train crew can be tested on their compliance with Restricted Speed.  It’s pretty difficult to set this situation up in such a manner that the train crew is not at least a little suspicious and very wary that they are being tested.