Re: second sections, Trains note on flag usage

Running sections is a dispatching tool - but one with practical reasons. A section authorized by the dispatcher departs with green flags on the first section. Any following sections will also display green flags except for the last section. The last section will display no flags. The signals displayed are a representative as follows: The time-table authorizes the train. When sections are presented, none need authorization to run. They are given authority via the time-table. However, for MOW and other workers who are out on the line, the green flags signal that the time-table train is broken into several sections. It is not allowed to go onto the track or be given authority to go onto the track between sections. In essence - the "section" occupies the entire range of track between the first and following sections. It's a system designed to protect workers. For example - If a worker was sitting at "X" siding and the first section of a train came bye, the worker should be able to look at the train, recognize the green flags, and realize that another section was following. They therefore would not set themselves onto the rails or request track authority from the dispatcher to proceed against the scheduled train.