Signals Maintainer Training and Apprenticeship Program
Descriptions and credit recommendations for all evaluated learning experiences
Course 1, 2 and 3 (combined): 37 hours.
Course 1, 2 and 3: April 2013 - May 2023.
Course 1, 2 and 3: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: describe theory of operation and purpose of signaling; identify related elements of signaling; describe interference between territories with and without signaling systems; describe operation of types of signaling systems; describe equipment for train to wayside communication (TWC); identify signaling symbols recommended by American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-way Association (AREMA); describe how overlay systems work; describe general operation of Automatic Block Signaling (ABS), Automatic block signaling uni-directionally, Automatic block signaling Bi-directionally, and Traffic Control Systems; develop a sequence of operation for an ABS; list the Automatic Train Control Subsystems; describe operation of Automatic Train Protection, Automatic Train Operation and Automatic Train Supervision; describe operation of Radio Frequency Based Signaling; list and describe CBTC specific equipment; and inspect, maintain and repair cab and wayside signaling systems.
Course 1, 2 and 3: Instruction is offered via classroom through use of study guides, required and supplemental readings, quizzes, lab, required interaction with instructor, and final exams. Topics include: cab and wayside signaling systems, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association signaling symbols; overlay systems; Automatic Block Signaling; traffic control systems; and radio frequency based signaling.
Course 1, 2 and 3: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 2 semester hours in Railroad Operations, Railroad Electronics, Railroad Engineering, Transportation Management, and Mechanical Systems (5/18). NOTE: Course 1, 2 and 3 must all be completed to receive credit.
Course 1, 2 and 3 (combined): 15 hours.
Course 1, 2 and 3: April 2013 - May 2023.
Course 1, 2 and 3: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: analyze and compare the functions and components of mechanical interlocking machines to modern control panels; explain how control panels have evolved since the early 20th century by evaluating changes and technological advances; explain purpose and key functions of control panels for signaling purposes; list and describe control panel components; evaluate how functions of control panels differ at the mainline and interlockings/yards; read lock diagrams; describe types of communication interfaces; and inspect, repair and maintain control panels.
Course 1, 2 and 3: Instruction is offered via classroom through use of study guides, required and supplemental readings, quizzes, lab, required interaction with instructor, and final exams. Topics include: control panel operations, functions and equipment; lock diagrams; communication interfaces; and inspection, repair and maintenance of control panels.
Course 1, 2, and 3: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 1 semester hour in Railroad Operations, Railroad Electronics, Railroad Engineering, Transportation Management, and Mechanical Systems (5/18). NOTE: Course 1, 2 and 3 must all be completed to receive credit.
Course 1, 2 and 3 (combined): 45.5 hours.
Course 1, 2 and 3: April 2013 - May 2023.
Course 1, 2 and 3: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: identify key highway grade crossing terminology and nomenclature; describe regulations pertaining to highway grade crossings; describe the principles of highway grade crossing operations; identify and describe highway grade crossing warning equipment; identify and describe highway grade crossing control circuits; identify types of warning system malfunctions, and inspect and maintain highway grade crossings.
Course 1, 2 and 3: Instruction is offered via classroom through use of study guides, required and supplemental readings, quizzes, lab, required interaction with instructor, and final exams. Topics include: highway grade crossing equipment, control circuits, warning systems and operations.
Course 1, 2 and 3: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Railroad Operations, Railroad Electronics, Railroad Engineering, Transportation Management, and Mechanical Systems (5/18). NOTE: Courses 1, 2 and 3 must all be completed to receive credit.
Course 1, 2 and 3 (combined): 24 hours.
Course 1, 2 and 3: April 2013 - May 2023.
Course 1, 2 and 3: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: define basic interlocking terminology and describe theory of operation and purpose of interlockings; identify the applicable FRA and agency-specific standards related to interlockings and safety guidelines; list nomenclature specific to interlockings; explain basic routing processing; evaluate types of locking circuits and their functions; differentiate between signal and universal interlockings, and inspect and maintain interlockings.
Course 1, 2 and 3: Instruction is offered via classroom through use of study guides, required and supplemental readings, quizzes, lab, required interaction with instructor, and final exams. Topics include: signal control circuits, interlockings, routing processing, and inspection, maintenance and repair of interlockings.
Course 1, 2 and 3: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 1 semester hour in Railroad Operations, Railroad Electronics, Railroad Engineering, Transportation Management, and Mechanical Systems (5/18). NOTE: Course 1, 2 and 3 must all be completed to receive credit.
Course 1, 2 and 3 (combined): 32.5 hours.
Course 1, 2 and 3: April 2013 - May 2023.
Course 1, 2 and 3: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: identify components for signaling power distribution and describe basic systems and principles of power distribution; evaluate types of backup power used in signal power distribution; explain power distribution schematics and power phases; and inspect, maintain and repair signaling power distribution equipment.
Course 1, 2 and 3: Instruction is offered via classroom through use of study guides, required and supplemental readings, quizzes, lab, required interaction with instructor, and final exams. Topics include: signaling power distribution, backup power, and inspection, maintenance and repair of signal power distribution equipment.
Course 1, 2 and 3: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 2 semester hours in Railroad Operations, Railroad Electronics, Railroad Engineering, Transportation Management, and Mechanical Systems (5/18). NOTE: Course 1, 2 and 3 must all be completed to receive credit.
Course 1, 2 and 3 (combined): 48 hours.
Course 1, 2 and 3: April 2013 - May 2023.
Course 1, 2 and 3: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: describe theory of operation and purpose of switches; identify related components of switches; differentiate between facing and railing; identify common switch symbols; evaluate and determine normal and reserve position of the switch; describe properties of switch layout as to be able to communicate with the track department; identify installation standards; describe various types of switch layouts and their features; identify normal and reverse configuration on the circuit controller; identify and describe different types of derails; and describe the operation and purpose of derails.
Course 1, 2 and 3: Instruction is offered via classroom through use of study guides, required and supplemental readings, quizzes, lab, required interaction with instructor, and final exams. Topics include: switches, facing, railing, switch symbols, switch layouts, circuit controllers, and inspection and maintenance of switches and derails.
Course 1, 2 and 3: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Railroad Operations, Railroad Electronics, Railroad Engineering, Transportation Management, and Mechanical Systems (5/18). NOTE: Course 1, 2 and 3 must all be completed to receive credit.
Course 1, 2 and 3 (combined): 38 hours.
Course 1, 2, and 3: April 2013 - May 2023.
Course 1, 2 and 3: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: explain principles and operations of track circuits; identify major components found in track circuits and examine their functions; list basic components of rail structure; record types of track circuits; describe common types of track circuits; and inspect and maintain track circuits.
Course 1, 2 and 3: Instruction is offered via classroom through use of study guides, required and supplemental readings, quizzes, lab, required interaction with instructor, and final exams. Topics include: track circuit operations, safety, inspection procedures, and maintenance techniques.
Course 1, 2 and 3: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 2 semester hours in Railroad Operations, Railroad Electronics, Railroad Engineering, Transportation Management, and Mechanical Systems (5/18). NOTE: Course 1, 2 and 3 must all be completed to receive credit.
Course 1, 2 and 3 (combined): 44 hours.
Course 1, 2, and 3: April 2013 - May 2023.
Course 1, 2 and 3: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: describe principles of operation and purpose of train stops; differentiate between pneumatic and electric train stops; identify and describe types of train stops; identify and describe the purpose of a dragging equipment detector (DED) trip vane device; and inspect and maintain train stops.
Course 1, 2 and 3: Instruction is offered via classroom through use of study guides, required and supplemental readings, quizzes, lab, required interaction with instructor, and final exams. Topics include: train stops, pneumatic and electric train stops, dragging equipment detector trip vane device, and inspection and maintenance of train stops.
Course 1, 2 and 3: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Railroad Operations, Railroad Electronics, Railroad Engineering, Transportation Management, and Mechanical Systems (5/18). NOTE: Course 1, 2 and 3 must all be completed to receive credit.
27 hours.
April 2013 - May 2023.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: explain the purpose, history and evolution of railroad signaling systems; differentiate between tools used for mechanical and electrical maintenance tests; analyze and implement use of safety procedures and various forms of roadway worker protection; identify proper procedures for removing equipment from service; define the fundamentals of relays and other technical aspects related to railroad signaling systems; and properly prepare records and documentation.
Instruction is offered via classroom through use of study guides, required and supplemental readings, quizzes, lab, required interaction with instructor, and final exams. Topics include: signaling systems, safety, worker protection, tracks, circuits, derails, train stops, grade crossings, interlockings, relays, circuit plans, and recordkeeping.
In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 2 semester hours in Railroad Operations, Railroad Electronics, Railroad Engineering, Transportation Management, and Mechanical Systems (5/18).
