In CTC territory, who must authorize any movement on the main track?

In Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) territory, the control operator is responsible for authorizing any movement on the main track. This individual plays a crucial role in managing train movements to ensure safety and efficiency on the railway network. The control operator monitors the train schedules, track occupancy, and any potential hazards, which allows them to make informed decisions about train movements.

The dispatcher, while closely related to traffic management and operations, typically acts as an intermediary and oversees broader operations, which may include multiple segments of the railway network. However, in the context of CTC territory, the specific authorization for track movements falls under the jurisdiction of the control operator, who has real-time access to the necessary information for safe operations.

The train engineer and the yardmaster have important responsibilities, such as operating the train and managing yard operations respectively, but their roles do not include the authorization for movements on the main track in CTC territory. The system is designed to centralize and streamline the authority for safety and coordination, which is why the control operator is the key figure in this process.