Special Instructions & Timetable

1.  SUPERIORITY OF TRAINS

  • Northward trains are superior to trains of the same class in the opposite direction
  • Layout direction
    • Clockwise = NORTHWARD (towards the East)
    • Counter-clockwise = SOUTHWARD (towards the West)


2. SWITCHES AND SWITCHING

  • Trainman to hand line all switches and verify point position
  • All switches are to be returned to Normal position when work completed and leaving area
    • White = Normal route
    • Red = Diverging route
  • Trainman to use picks when uncoupling cars
  • OPTIONAL: Many cars [eventually all] are equipped with magnetically operating air hoses; trainman may connect these for additional realism using the notched end of the wand
  • Derail device is located in Millers at the Shapiro’s Scrap Metal spur; trainman to return derail to protected position when work completed and leaving area

3. FREIGHT TRAINS HANDLING PASSENGERS

  • All trains may carry passengers, stopping passenger carriage or caboose at station platforms
    • Regular station stops are noted in the Employee Timetable
    • Passengers may also be carried when train is flagged to stop
  • All freight trains beyond yard limits shall run with a caboose
    • This rule can be superseded at the Superintendent’s discretion


4. HEADLIGHTS, WHISTLE & BELL

  • Headlight should be illuminated on all moving engines
  • Ring engine bell when approaching or moving about station facilities
  • Use caution when approaching public grade crossings and sound whistle and bell
    • Bell ring may cease when front of engine enters the public grade crossing
  • Protect public grade crossings with flagman or fusees when necessary
  • Do not block public grade crossings for more than 10 minutes when switching

5. OPERATION OF RIVER TRANSFERS

Instructions and Rules for government of crews operating Steamer Ste. Genevieve and engines serving the steamer:

Aligning Boat

  • Before any movement of the boat, trainman shall first ascertain that all tracks have blue flags set and secured to prevent car movement

Loading & Unloading Boat

  • The center track is worked first to avoid capsizing the boat
  • Before pulling cars off boat, trainman shall first ascertain that track on boat is properly lined with track on apron and that the blue flag has been removed
  • Engine speed must not exceed 4 MPH while shoving and pulling cars off boat

General

  • Boat engine or cars shall not stand on apron when boat is landing or backing away from the apron
  • In serving the boat, engine must always be headed up the incline; ie, it must back down the incline at all times
  • Idler car must always be used while engine is serving the boat
  • Maximum boat tonnage is 12 cars (maximum of 4 per track)

6. INOPERATIVE OR DERAILED EQUIPMENT

  • Crews must inspect moving trains for defects such as mismatched coupler heights, dragging glad hands, broken details or other unsafe conditions
    • If defects are found, trainman shall notify crew and pink-tag the offending car with a Bad Order slip (available in waybill boxes) and place in Car Card packet
  • Equipment in need of repair is to be left at the nearest company track; avoid leaving bad ordered equipment on private sidings or spurs whenever possible
  • Notify Superintendent immediately for serious issues

7. YARD RESTRICTIONS

  • Northward trains should stop between the depot and the bridge to request clearance from the Yardmaster before entering Middle Yard
  • Yard limits extend southward from the Boat to Mosher
  • Maximum tonnage depends upon the train; see the Form 19 orders for each train
  • With clearance, Boat Job crew and Yardmaster may use the Thomure or Middle Yard Main A/D tracks as needed
  • While switching at Thomure and Middle Yard, crews should remain in their respective yard until clearance is received; yards are easily distinguished by different color ballast

The M-I Railroad provides the following Employee Timetable, effective April 1, 1951, for use by all operators. Extra trains will be assigned when necessary.

The Wye at Thomure has been replaced by a Turntable.