Who is responsible for ensuring approval before passing a block limit?

The responsibility for ensuring approval before passing a block limit lies with the engineer. The engineer is the individual operating the train, and it is their duty to adhere to the conditions of the operating rules and signal indications. Before passing a block limit, the engineer must obtain the necessary clearance or approval from the dispatcher to ensure that it is safe to proceed beyond the established limits. This procedure is in place to protect the safety of the train crew, the passengers, and the integrity of the rail network by preventing collisions or other accidents that could occur if a train were to enter a block where it is not authorized to be.

While the conductor plays a critical role in coordinating train operations, such as safety checks and crew management, it is ultimately the engineer who is responsible for the operation of the train and the decision to proceed. The dispatcher coordinates train movements and communicates permits, but the final action and responsibility lie with the engineer. The station master typically oversees operations at a specific station but does not have direct authority or responsibility for the train’s movement beyond block limits.