How is authority defined in NORAC 100?

• A. The legal right to operate a locomotive without a crew.
• B. A general policy on safety equipment.
• C. The sanctioned permission to occupy and move over a specific section of track, granted by the dispatcher or other authorized entity.
• D. A personal clearance from the train crew.

Answer: (C)

Authority is the sanctioned permission to occupy and move over a defined section of track, issued by the dispatcher or another authorized entity. In NORAC operations, a train or crew must have this formal permission to enter a specific block or route, and it defines exactly where you may operate, often including any limits, speed, direction, or restrictions. It’s not about a general safety policy, nor is it a personal clearance from the train crew, and it does not grant the right to operate a locomotive without a crew. Having authority ties your movement to a specific portion of track and ensures coordinated, safe occupancy with other trains.