What is required before initiating movement on a main track or controlled siding?

Before initiating movement on a main track or controlled siding, it is essential to receive track bulletins affecting the movement. Track bulletins contain vital information about track conditions, temporary speed restrictions, and other factors that could influence the safety and efficiency of the train's operation. This information is crucial for ensuring that the train can operate safely within the predetermined parameters and any potential hazards are taken into account before proceeding.

While checking if the track is clear, ensuring the locomotive is operational, and consulting with the station master are all important steps in the overall process of safely dispatching a train, they do not take precedence over the requirement to be informed of current track conditions through track bulletins. Without this critical information, a train could inadvertently enter a section of track that poses a risk, leading to accidents or delays. Thus, obtaining and acknowledging track bulletins is a fundamental safety protocol in train dispatching.