Timetable & Special Instructions

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The Wye at Thomure has been replaced by a Turntable.

1.  SUPERIORITY OF TRAINS

  • All Northward trains are superior to trains of the same class in the opposite direction
  • Rule 99 requires protection of an inferior train by flagman or fusee
    • Fusees burn for about 10 minutes; they will need to be re-lit if continued protection is required
  • Layout direction
    • Clockwise = NORTHWARD (towards the East)
    • Counter-clockwise = SOUTHWARD (towards the West)

2.   MAXIMUM SPEED

  • Coupling speed = 4 MPH
  • Yard = 10 MPH
  • Steam engines running backwards, with or without cars = 10 MPH
  • Freight/Passenger trains = 15 MPH
  • Speed checks
    • 4 MPH = engine travels 36 actual inches in 24 seconds
    • 10 MPH = engine travels 36 actual inches in 10 seconds
    • 15 MPH = engine travels 36 actual inches in 7 seconds

3. ENGINE RESTRICTIONS

  • Thomure…..MP #4612 (Alco RS-11) must not proceed past the grade crossing to the incline
  • Millers…..Steam locomotives must not enter switch in southward direction


4. SWITCHES AND SWITCHING

  • Trainman to hand line all manual 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
  • Derail devices located at:
    • Ste. Genevieve SLSF interchange
    • Millers Shapiro’s scrap yard
  • Trainman to return derail devices to protected position when work completed and leaving area
  • While switching Middle Yard, the Yard crew is prohibited from entering Thomure Yard tracks 1, 2 and 3 until clearance is given by Boat Job crew
  • While switching the river transfer cuts, the Boat Job crew is prohibited from entering Middle Yard tracks 1, 2 and 3 until clearance is given by Yardmaster

5. 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 shall run with a caboose
    • This rule can be superseded at the General Manager’s discretion


6. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS COVERING SOUNDING OF LOCOMOTIVE WHISTLE AND BELL AT PUBLIC CROSSINGS

  • Ring engine bell when approaching or moving about station facilities
  • Use caution when approaching public grade crossings and sound whistle and bell
    • May cease ringing of bell when front of engine has entered public grade crossing
  • Protect public grade crossings with fusees or flagman when necessary
  • Do not block public grade crossings for more than 10 minutes when switching

7. OPERATION OF RIVER TRANSFERS

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


Boat Whistle Signals

  • Two blasts of whistle – boat has landed
  • One blast of whistle – boat is departing from landing
  • One blast of whistle when boat is being pulled or loaded – derailment

Aligning Boat

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

Unloading Boat

Before pulling cars off the boat, trainman shall first ascertain that track on boat is properly lined with track on apron and that the pertinent brake has been released

Loading Boat

The General Manager and Boat Captain will direct the manner of loading in order to avoid capsizing the boat when loaded

Engine Speed

Engine 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
  • Care should be exercised to avoid overloading the boat
    • Maximum car capacity is 4 loaded cars per track
    • Longer cars may reduce track capacity

8. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR 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 cubbies) 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 General Manager immediately for serious issues

9. SIDINGS

All sidings are permitted to be used as Team and Storage Tracks

10. YARD RESTRICTIONS

  • Boat Job crew is prohibited from entering Middle Yard tracks 1, 2 and 3
  • Yardmaster is prohibited from entering Thomure Yard tracks 1, 2 and 3
  • With clearance, Boat Job crew and Yardmaster may use the Thomure or Middle Yard Main A/D tracks as needed
  • All trains must receive clearance from the Yardmaster before entering or leaving Middle Yard