A train that has passed beyond the limits of a manual block must receive what before re-entering?

When a train has passed beyond the limits of a manual block, it is essential for safety and operational integrity that it obtains block authority from the block operator before re-entering the block. Block authority serves as the official notification that the train is permitted to re-occupy the track section after previously exiting it. This process ensures that all trains are accounted for in that block and helps prevent collisions or unsafe conditions.

Obtaining block authority involves confirming that the track is clear and that the approaching train has the permission to enter that section of the track again. This procedure is critical for maintaining the scheduling and safety protocols that govern train operations on the LIRR. Without this authority, the risks of an unintended system clash significantly increase, undermining the overall safety system in place.

In this context, the need for final confirmation from the control center or written permission from the dispatcher may also play roles in some other operational decisions; however, for the specific action of re-entering a block that has already been passed, block authority from the block operator is the most direct and relevant requirement.