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Home Academics Programs and Majors Railroad Operations

Railroad Operations

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Railroad Operations (RAILR) Courses

RAILR 100 History of Railroading

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course covers the history and traditions of railroading and the industry's role in North American economic development. Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to list and explain the significance of major events in North American railroading. There is an off-campus, alternate learning site for this class.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • review the first American railroads and their relationship to the Industrial Revolution.
  • track the western expansion and unification of the United States.
  • know the contributing causes of the North versus South during the Civil War, as it relates to railroading.
  • understand the post Civil War unification of a national railroad system and the major players involved.
  • have knowledge of the different railroading cultures such as; passenger versus freight.
  • examine the decline of the railroad industry post World War II era.
  • develop a basic understanding of railroad terminology.

RAILR 102 Railroad Technical Careers

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course includes information about technical careers in railroading, thereby, enabling students to choose suitable career paths. This course includes alternate learning sites that will demonstrate the relationship among technical work groups in day-to-day railroad operations. Students must provide their own transportation to the alternate learning sites. Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to describe basic technical job functions, requirements, and characteristics of their chosen career path.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • simulate a Railroad Crew Board.
  • demonstrate an understanding of Auxiliary Signals.
  • evaluate Clearance and Envelope vs. train size.
  • demonstrate an understanding of work flow.

RAILR 120 Railroad Operations

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course explores the complex subject of railroad operations; it will also explore various railroad system elements which shape and govern operations. There is an off-campus, alternate learning site for this class. Students must provide their own transportation. Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to define the current North American railroad industry characteristics, basic operations, components and processes, industry structure and some administrative processes.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • review the hierarchy of rules modifications between the General Code of Operating Rules, Systems Special Instructions, Timetables, General Orders, and Track Bulletins.
  • demonstrate the application of the General Code of Operating Rules in train and switching operations scenarios.
  • have the knowledge and ability of the proper application of the General Code of Operating Rules.
  • perform job briefings, discuss the concept of job briefing books, review Union Pacific Rule 70.s (job briefings)..
  • understand railroad industry terminology.

RAILR 122 Railroad Safety, Quality, and Environment

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course covers the importance of safety quality, personal health, and environmental awareness to the railroad industry and emphasizes the basic tools and techniques for improving these conditions on the job. There is an off-campus, alternate learning site for this class. Students must provide their own transportation. Upon successful completion of this course students should be able to define and explain the need for improved safety, quality, health, and environmental awareness, describe their basic principles, explain the elements of successful programs, and apply these elements to typical tasks on the job.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • perform initial review on the concepts of Authority Protection, Governance and Restriction.
  • demonstrate an understanding of the railroad locomotive and its interface.
  • apply rules within train and switching scenarios.
  • know the basic design and function of a railroad yard.
  • describe Train Call to Train Departure events and procedures, and identify potential problems and prevention methods.
  • demonstrate an understanding of General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR) rules and their application in train movement.

RAILR 140 Railroad General Code of Operating Rules

  • Units:4
  • Hours:72 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:RAILR 120 and 122 with grades of "C" or better
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course provides instruction in the use and application of railroad rules, timetables, general orders, track bulletins, track warrants, and train orders. The students will learn their interpretation, origin, and use in the railroad industry. Students are required to pass the General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR) Examination and will be required to write and re-write general orders, timetables, and rules. This course provides an in-depth study of the GCOR. Upon completion of this course, the students should be able to apply the General Code of Operating Rules to safe and efficient train movement and operations. Students must pass the prerequisite courses prior to attending this course. See an instructor about any special requirements. There is an alternate learning site for this class at the ACE Maintenance Facility in Stockton, California. Students must provide their own transportation.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • apply and comply with basic General Code of Operating Rules.
  • understand and apply the requirements of Rule 6.27 and 6.28.
  • define the indication of signals from the General Code of Operating Rules and System Special Instructions.
  • be certified in the General Code of Operating Rules.

RAILR 142 Railroad Field Operations

  • Units:3
  • Hours:48 hours LEC; 24 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:RAILR 120, RAILR 122, and RAILR 140 with grades of "C" or better or hold a valid General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR) certification card.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course provides for use and application of: railroad rules, timetables, general orders, track bulletins, track warrants, and train orders. Students will apply these in the classroom and in a railroad setting. Students are required to show that they have passed the General Code of Operating Rules examination on their first day of class. Students not qualified in the rules will not be allowed to continue in the class. In addition to the lectures, students will go on a weekend day and weekday evening field trips where they will participate in: making up trains, coupling and uncoupling cars and locomotives, hooking up air hoses, troubleshooting air brakes systems, getting on and off stationary equipment, removing and applying knuckles of cars (knuckles weigh up to 90 pounds), and lining up different types of switches. Students are required to wear lace-up boots that cover the ankle with defined heels, leather gloves, loose fitting jeans or coveralls that cover the legs and do not restrict movement, shirts with sleeves, and hearing and eye protection. Hats that provide protection from the sun and rain are recommended. Students should be prepared to work outside in all types of weather. There is an alternate learning site for this class at the ACE Maintenance Facility in Stockton, California. Students must provide their own transportation.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • switch, set out and pick up train cars and perform a safety inspection.
  • evaluate and assess the air brake system of a train for proper operation and do basic troubleshooting of the air brake system.
  • comply with railroad signals.
  • safely control train movements using standard hand lantern signals.

RAILR 144 Railroad Air Brakes

  • Units:3.5
  • Hours:54 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:RAILR 120 and RAILR 122 with grades of "C" or better.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course offers an overview of the train air brake system from the rear of the engine to the flashing rear end device with a focus on the American brake valve. Emphasis is placed on Federal Railroad Administration requirements for Initial Terminal Brake Test, as well as industry Air Brake Rules on the use and application of the air brake system. The course includes inspection of the load, under carriage, air brake connections, hand brake systems, drain valves, and cut-out cocks. There is an alternate learning site for this class at the ACE Maintenance Facility in Stockton, California. Students must provide their own transportation.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • comply with required Federal Railroad Operation Laws and the General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR).
  • implement railway Air Brake Rules.
  • select the proper course of action if the Initial Terminal Air Brakes fails.
  • identify air brake equipment that is misaligned, inoperative or not performing well.

RAILR 294 Topics in Railroad Operations

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Hours:8 - 72 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course is designed to give students an opportunity to study topics in Railroad Operations not included in current course offerings. This course may be taken four times for credit providing there is no duplication of topics.

RAILR 295 Independent Studies in Railroad Operations

  • Units:1 - 3
  • Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This is an independent studies course. The topics are to be arranged between the instructor and student.

RAILR 299 Experimental Offering in Railroad Operations

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This is a specialized course developed in cooperation with industry to address emerging training needs in railroad operations. This course may be taken no more than three times for credit provided there is no duplication of topics.