Railroad Signal Technician how-to
How to Troubleshoot a Track Circuit Failure
Failures stop trains.
Quick answer
Failures stop trains. In short: check; check; check, then complete the remaining steps below.
Step by step
Check voltage at the source.
Check bond wires.
Check insulated joints.
Check relays.
Repair.
Test with a shunt.
Safety reminders for railroad signal technicians
- Get track authority
- Follow roadway worker protection
- Use lockout on signal power
- Watch for trains
Key terms
Wayside signal · Track circuit · Switch machine · Crossing gate · Relay · Signal house: see the full railroad signal technician glossary.