Once a crew reaches 12 hours on duty it is dead on the law: it must stop the train and may do no further work, and the railroad has to send a relief crew. Crews track their time closely and warn the dispatcher as the limit approaches, so the train can be stopped somewhere it will not block crossings or the main. On the law and outlawed mean the same thing.
Tell the DS we're dead on the law in forty minutes, put us somewhere we won't block every crossing in town.
Also heard as
- outlawed
- on the law
- died on the law
Related terms
Hours of service
The federal limit on how long train and engine crews may stay on duty before mandatory rest.
Dog catch
To relieve a crew that has run out of legal hours; the relief crew are the dog catchers.
Tie up
To go off duty at the end of a trip or shift and record the final time.
Deadhead
To travel as a passenger to or from an assignment, paid but not working the train.