When is a train required to report clear of non-signaled DCS territory?

A train is required to report clear of non-signaled DCS (Direct Control System) territory when it has cleared the limits of its specified direction line 2 authority. This requirement ensures that the train is no longer operating within the confines of the authority granted for the specific route it was on. Such reporting is crucial for maintaining operational safety and coordination between the train and the dispatching system, allowing dispatcher personnel to properly manage train movements and ensure that the track is available for subsequent trains.

While passing a mechanical signal and reaching a designated rest stop might indicate certain conditions of the train’s operation, they do not necessarily mark the end of the train's authority in non-signaled DCS territory. Similarly, reporting at the end of each operational shift does not pertain specifically to clearing DCS territory but rather is a broader reporting requirement that pertains to train operations in general. Reporting clear upon leaving the defined limits of authority provides clear communication and safeguards for train control and management.