DOT / FRA has nothing to do with the General Code of Operating Rules. They are compiled by a committee of representatives from many railroads and adopted by each individual RR - if they want to. There is no compulsion to adopt the GCOR. The FRA does expect railroads to operate in compliance with regulations and according to "general railroad practice" and the GCOR provides these rules in a comprehensive format - even though most big RR's documents showing changes, exceptions and additions to the GCOR is bigger than the GCOR itself. The reason the GCOR is usually printed in the format it is is so it takes up less space. RR operating employees have to lug the thing, plus lots of other documentation, around with them while on duty.

Keep in mind that the GCOR is a copyrighted document. A commercial copy shop may question your right to copy it. Copy away at home all you want but you better have an extra supply of ink and paper handy.

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