Western Railroad Discussion > GTB?

I caught this S/B train on the BNSF Inside Gateway a few miles RR north of Westwood. Later, when the train arrived at Almanor siding, I heard the crew on the scanner talking about a GTB. What heck is a GTB?

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GTB = General Track Bulletin. A collection of various info regarding slow orders, work zones, and miscellaneous other info along a subdivision that is not printed in a timetable. GTB's are updated all the time, and dispatchers ensure that the crews have the latest info.

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

Rule 6.2 of the GCOR states: Before initiating movement on a main track, a crew member must:
Receive a track warrant.
or
Determine from the dispatcher or yardmaster if any track bulletins are needed.


At BNSF the GTB is what the dispatcher gives you. It shows all the Track Bulletins that are in effect for the area where you will be working. UP just calls them track warrants and RailAmerica calls them DOB. So as you can see different roads call them different things.

B-Over

Thanks Ted. That makes sense.

Also a GTB stands for a new engine leading like BNSF 101 was leading a westbound and BNSF 800 was trailing. they turn around at Point a to go East they will say New GTB is BNSF 800. hear it all the time here

JerryVoss Wrote:
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> Also a GTB stands for a new engine leading like
> BNSF 101 was leading a westbound and BNSF 800 was
> trailing. they turn around at Point a to go East
> they will say New GTB is BNSF 800. hear it all the
> time here


The General Track Bulletins are addressed to a specific train. Since a Train is legally identified by the lead unit number and direction of travel (we'll use your example and call you the BNSF 101 East) then the GTBs have to be changed as the identity of the train changes, such as changing direction and lead unit (In which case before you can move on the mainline you would contact the DS to change the GTB to read the BNSF 800 West). Pretty common occurance as things constantly change out there. I have heard of crews being pulled from service for not having the proper train address on the GTB (or Track Warrent of whatever you call it).

GTBs have to be current to within four hours at the time you leave initial terminal or you have to contact the DS to update them.