Article 14
Light Engines, Piloting and Other Engine Movements

A. LIGHT ENGINES

When engines are run light, with or without caboose, over any portion of the road, a conductor will be furnished when practicable. If for any reason a conductor cannot be furnished, a flagman will be provided.

When engineers are "run light", they will be paid through freight rates, except that when "run light" on a passenger schedule they will be paid passenger rates.

B. COUPLING AND UNCOUPLING ENGINES (1986 BLE Engineer's Agreement eliminated the arbitrary payment for coupling and uncoupling engines)

C. PILOTING

Engineers will be used as pilots when available and paid regular road rates for the service.

D. RELIEF SERVICE

When a relief engine is sent to replace a disabled engine, the engineer of the delayed train will take charge of the relief engine, and proceed on his run.

E.   BACKING ENGINES

Road engineers will not be required to back up except in cases of wrecks or extraordinary occasions.  This, however, does not apply to work trains or helper service in the performance of their duties, or engines running for fuel, water, or doubling hills.

NOTE: This does not apply to diesel road switchers.

F.   WATCHING AND CARING FOR ENGINES (Applicable to Southern only)

When an engine is held at any other than a terminal point where an engine hostler is not provided, or  where  an engineer in making a round trip is held an his engine waiting for train, or where the rules governing overtime in the previous articles do not apply, the engineer shall be paid overtime at pro rate rates as per service and class of engine when specially required to care for the engine. 

G.  SELF-PROPELLED MACHINES 

Understood and agreed that self-propelled machines will be handled over the road rails of the Companies, or from one yard, i.e., restricted territory, to another even though in the same terminal, by a road or yard engine, and not operated by their own power; for such service, if handled as an independent movement, the minimum rate applicable to wrecking, work or construction service will be paid; when handled by through freights, local or yard engines in connection with their usual service, schedule rates will be applicable based upon class of service in which engaged; provided that if a work train is in service in connection with the work the movement is made for, above shall not apply.

Self-propelled machines equipped for both rail and highway or self-propelled machines which are susceptible of being removed from or replaced on the track will not require an engineer.

An engineer will not be required on Sperry cars or other rail testing machines.  Inspection motor cars and/or rail highway cars equipped with flanged wheels used for inspection purposes will not require an engineer.

Exceptions:

Exception No. 1 

Self-propelled machines used for the purpose of loading and unloading company materials, when movements are confined to roundhouse, shop yard tracks or material yard tracks.  Such machines may pick up car or cars to be loaded or unloaded and dispose of same, which shall not be deemed to be switching as referred to in paragraph (b) under the caption "Miscellaneous" hereof. The cars to be loaded or unloaded to be placed in and removed from roundhouse, shop yard, and material yard tracks by appropriate engine crew.

Self-propelled machines used in rail laying operations on other tracks barred temporarily to other transportation uses. Under no circumstances will rail laying machines be permitted to handle cars.

Exception No. 2

Locomotive cranes used in repair yards, store department yards and storage yards for the purpose of handling heavy material when movements are confined to those yards.  Such cranes may pick up a car or cars to be loaded or unloaded and dispose of same, which shall not be deemed to be switching as referred to in paragraph (b) under the caption "Miscellaneous" hereof; cars to be loaded or unloaded, as herein described, to be placed in and removed from such yards by appropriate engine crew.

Exception No. 3

Self-propelled pile drivers and cranes with idler car and supply car when moving back and forth at point of work on a bridge, trestle, or culvert, when such moves do not exceed 3,000 feet from either end of the bridge, trestle or culvert at or upon which the work is being done.  Idler car is not to be used to transport roadway material when a work train with locomotive engineer employed thereon is not in service in connection with the work at time movement is made.

Exception No. 4

Self-propelled wrecking cranes may make movements in connection with the work of picking up a wreck without a locomotive engineer, provided a work or wreck train with a locomotive engineer employed thereon is in service in connection with the wreck at the time the movement is made.

All self-propelled machines will be excepted when the locomotion of these machines is provided by the power of a locomotive in charge of a locomotive engineer.

Miscellaneous:

(a) This Article 14(G) shall not apply in cases where pilot rule is applicable.

(b) Under no circumstances will locomotive cranes be permitted to perform switching of cars.

(c) Understood that when other transportation service employees are utilized with a locomotive crane engineer will also be used.

This page last updated: 03/06/2005