Central Pasco & Gulf RailroadOPERATIONAL RULESRevised 2010 General rules
1. Safetyis of the first importance at C P & G Railroad and necessary for the operation and enjoyment of our hobby. Compliance with the rules is regarded as being necessary for everyone’s safety. 2. Operating equipment on the track is an assurance of your willingness to obey the rules contained within. 3. Current officers and meet officials have the authority to modify, suspend or change rules on a temporary basis. 4. These Rules are superseded by train orders. The Rules and train orders are superseded by bulletin instructions. 5. All members shall sign a yearly liability release form prior to issuance of their yearly membership. All visitors must sign the event liability release form prior to riding any train. All signed release forms shall be kept by the Club. 6. The railroad is located in a Pasco County Park; all members are to respect and obey park rules as well as club rules.
General Responsibility
1. Each Club member is responsible to sign the volunteer work book for recognition of acquisition time. 2. The conductor and engineer are solely and jointly responsible for the safety of anyone riding their trains. They have the right to refuse to allow anyone to ride, when it appears to be unsafe. 3. The conductor is in charge of the entire train. The engineer is in charge of the locomotive, and is subordinate to the conductor and must follow his instructions. 4. The conductor's primary responsibility is the safety of the passengers. 5. The train crews are responsible for all main line switches to be inline for through train main line operation. 6. All members seeing safety problem with the track will flag and report location and condition of issue to a board member and repair if able. 7. Prior to all first runs, it is the responsibility of the train crew to inspect the track for any obstructions that could delay the operation. 8. Any refueling of equipment will be done outside of any building and have a fire extinguisher on hand within ten feet from refueling site. 9. Two way radios will be used during special event operations, on a channel that will not interfere with train operations.
Member Responsibility
Certified members may operate club owned equipment with permission from the Road Foreman of Engines or any board member. They are responsible for family and their guests to sign the liability waiver. Members must not allow anyone not qualified, to operate club equipment. Members must not operate privately owned equipment without permission from the owner. Members will report any infraction on the railroad; bad rail, trees down across the track, cars or engines not working correctly. During all operations on the main line the member supplied hand held two way GMRS-FRS type radio tuned to channel 5 will be used to commutate with other trains.
Station Master
The Station Master when on duty in the Dade City Depot is responsible for instructing the passengers on the safety rules. No trains may leave or enter the station without his permission. Over head block signals will be used to bring trains into the loading area. In the absence of the station master, train crews will assume that responsibility.
Yard Master
The yard master is in charge of Sanford yard. His responsible is to maintain yard assignments and control steam bay rail activity.
Rules Examiner / Road Forman of Engines
Rules examiner / road foreman of engines will test all members on rules, vehicles and the ability to respond to audio and visual aspects of the railroad operation. After passing all tests a member will be certified for conductor, engineer or both.
Engineer's Responsibility
Locomotives 1. Prior to starting the engine of the locomotive it must be inspected for: all liquid levels and safety. 2. Damage, if you leave the car storage area with damaged equipment without reporting it to the Road Foreman of engines, his assistant or any board member, then you will be the one held responsible for it. 3. Upon relay of equipment, Check to see that the engine has enough fuel for the duties you are assigned. 4. Check the current log or receive verbal permission from the Road Foreman of engines or his assistant, to assure engine is ready for service in lieu of (1) and (3) above. 5. Newly certified engineers are expected to operate a public train to complete his qualification with the supervision of the rules examiner or his assistant. 6. Report any derailments of the engine or safety concerns. Especially be aware of any mechanical abnormalities while operating the locomotive and report them to the Road Foreman of Engines or his assistant and any engineer relieving you of duty. 7. All engineers operating the locomotive will not leave the unit running while unattended all motors will be disabled when unattended. 8. The relieving engineer should make a safety inspection of the train he is acquiring for operation. 9. The engineer's primary responsibility while operating is to watch the track ahead for any and all hazards. 10. Anyone removing a train from the storage area must check the (maintenance/inspection log) for deficiencyon that equipment. Any infraction could result in disciplinary action. 11. Any person refueling equipment must have the equipment out clear of any buildings and have a fire extinguisher present within ten feet of the equipment. 12. Engineers will do a inspection run prior to the event to check for any obstructions along the right of way to insure that there will be no delay.
Conductor Responsibility
1. The conductor prior to leaving the yard for service, will check all passenger cars for afety chains in place and connected, clean cars and report any damage to any cars. 2. The conductor is in charge of the train at all times and is responsible for passenger safety. 3. The conductor in absents of the station master will instruct passenger on safety rules 4. Riding car safety chains will be inspected at the station by the conductor while waiting for passengers to load, prior to the ride.
Derailment Protocol
1. STOP your train immediately and turn off the motor. 2. Ascertain if there are any injuries to passengers or crew. 3. Notify by radio or cell phone your train is stopped, if possible. 4. Determine the probable cause of derailment. 5. If there was passenger involvement instruct the riding safety rules to them. 6. Re rail and check equipment and rail for damage. 7. Mark the area for investigation or repair.
Passenger Rules
1. Train rides are not suitable for everyone, small children that cannot sit still, some elderly people and people that have Vertigo balance problems. 2. Animals are not permitted to ride on public passenger train cars. 3. No one is required to give rides to passengers. 4. Members who give rides must see that the cars are not overloaded. Normally three children or two adults per car. All passengers must be seated and erect, keep hands and feet inside the car at all times, no food of any description. 5. Non-members must ride only on designated trains and have a registration badge stamp or wrist bands and a signed waiver form. 6. Designated trains will consist only of cars inspected and approved by the C P & G Car Inspector and be revoked at any time for cause. 7. Women who are pregnant cannot ride any equipment. 8. Persons with disabilities generally requiring mobility assistance must have an experienced assistant ride behind him/ her to aid him/ her on and off the train. 9. No C P & G member can assist without having the proper training, emergency help assistance is permitted. 10. Good judgment will be displayed when ascertaining who may not ride. 11. Any potential passenger that is not behaving and could be under any substance influence should be reported to the Park Ranger. 12. Passenger rules are posted at the station.
Current rules to ride
1. Stay seated do not turn around. 2. Do not drag your feet. 3. Do not attempt to grab trees or other objects along the railroad. 4. Keep feet on the running boards at all times. 5. No photos or videos while riding on the train. 6. No horse play or practical jokes. 7. No leaning side to side must keep erect. 8. Pregnant women are not permitted to ride.
Riding Cars
1. The conductor and/or engineer will make an inspection of the riding cars on their train prior to leaving the car storage area. 2. They must be clean and ready for the public. 3. All safety chains must be in place and connected. 4. Any damage must be reported verbally to the Road Foreman of Engines, his assistant or any board member. 5. Relieving conductor and/or engineer will make a safety inspection making sure all safety chains are in place and connected and the riding cars are operational. 6. To insure complete public safety, riding car safety chains will be inspected at the station by the conductor prior to the ride. 7. When train is returned to the storage area the crew is to clean and top off liquids.
Birthday train rides
Birthday trains will operate under the same passenger rules as the public trains. The train crewis responsible to inform the necessary safety rules to the passengers.
Fixed Signals Block signals are in service between Lacoochee and Dade City. From Lacoochee around the horseshoe into Sanford Yard is unlit territory.
Bright Green means the block ahead is clear and you may proceed.
Red means the block ahead is occupied and you must stop. If the engineer has the rear end of the preceding train in sight he may follow that train past the red signal at restricted speed and keep clearance short of the train ahead, prepared to stop. Currently there are no means to "claim" a block so engineer must be prepared to stop at any time in a block in case he meets a train head on. Train crews are responsible, to display a head light to indicate of front of train and red at rear of train indicating end of train.
Station block signals
The station master will display a green signal to permit trains into the loading area. Signals are located at the soffit above the respective track. Trains are to stay at the unloading area until the green signal is displayed.
Signal Boards
A Yellow slow board means the train is to operate not to exceed 2 mph. (Restricted speed)
A greenboard means you have cleared the restricted area and you may resume track speed. After clearing the green board the conductor will sound a signal, two (2) blasts from his whistle.
A redboard with the letters “STOP “means you must bring your train to a complete stop and watch for cross traffic. After stopping and the route is clear, you may proceed. If the train makes the stop and immediately leaves, no signal is needed from the conductor. If the train stops and has to wait any length of time, it cannot proceed without a signal from the conductor. If the engineer needs a signal to proceed he can raise his hand or turn and see the conductor visually for a signal. East bound trains have preference over West bound trains. Yard Limits. Yard limit signs are posted at the egress of Sanford Yard. Trains or engines in Yard Limits must operate at restricted speed.
Hand and Whistle Signals When train is ready for movement the conductor will use his whistle or horn to alert the engineer; 1. Whistle Twice for the train to proceed. 2. Whistle once for the train to stop. 3. Whistle three times for the train to reverse. 4. Ahead. Arm rising up and down, while looking down the track, to move the engine forward. 5. Back Up. Arm making slow circles while looking down the track to move the engine in reverse. 6. Stop. Arm swinging side to side while looking down the track to stop the engineer. 7. Easy. Arm above the head moving slowly side to side, while looking down the track, to slow down but not stop. 8. Any movement of arms or hands in a fast or erratic manner is a signal to stop.
In the interest of quiet on the railroad Engineer will whistle or blow the locomotive horn only when it is necessary to warn the public or other trains.
Speed Limits 1. The maximum speed on the C P & G is 5 mph. When passing another train in a siding both trains must operate at slow speed (2 mph). All trains entering and leaving the Dade City station will operate at slow speed (2 mph), and dim head lights 2. Restricted Speed. Be prepared to stop short of trains, engines, improperly lined switch or obstruction. Restricted speed is 2 mph. 3. Trains or engines operating in yard limits are not required to provide flag protection, butmust align switches for thru main line movement when their move is complete. 4. Trains or engines must use caution when entering or leaving the train storage area as there are close clearances at the doorways and between adjacent tracks. 5. Train crews are responsible, to display a head light for indicating, front of train and red at rear of train indicating end of train when operating on main line tracks, unless running engine w/out cars.
Track speed calculations Timed Track Speed Measure 105 feet - time 14.4 seconds start to finish = 5 mph Scale track speeds
Time Speed Time Speed Time Speed 6.0 seconds 12 mph 10.3 seconds 12 mph 36 seconds 02 mph 6.5 seconds 11 mph 12 seconds 06 mph 7.2 seconds 10 mph 14.4 seconds 05 mph 8.0 seconds 09 mph 18 seconds 04 mph 9.0 seconds 08 mph 24 seconds 03 mph
Yard Limits
1. Yard limits signs are in place at the egress of the yard. 2. They are located at the west end of the car barn and at the east leg of the steam bay wye. 3. The steam bay is located within yard limits 4. Speed limit is restricted speed. (2 mph) 5. Trains or engines may move within yard limits with out authority. 6. Movements that require the use of main line switches must return them to through main line operation. 7. Movements must not foul the approaching main line train; main line has right of way.
Steam Bay
1. Only Member’s authorized can operate the lift. 2. Safety must be practiced at all times. 3. Any one using the gantry is to use it at their risk. 4. An operator is a person; that is operating his equipment to move it onto the rail head. 5. Operators will move their engine to a bay to fire their engine. 6. Any operators using the lift to transfer equipment must clear the lift in a reasonable amount of time. 7. Any one using the leader sidings to enter into the railroad should not repair equipment on them, as there is only limited access to the main line. 8. The bays are used on a first come first serve bases. 9. Public spectators should not be permitted within the bays for safety reasons.
Electric powered equipment
All members operating this equipment, upon completion of use, will put the unit on charge. Chargers may have a timer for automatic shut off. Or be a battery tender type. Chargers that have no safety shut off will be disconnected before leaving for the day.
Certification
1. Members will certify as Conductor and/or Engineer to operate all Public trains. 2. After passing the required examinations and engine operating skills and procedures, members are then road tested and certified by the Rules Examiner / Road Foreman of Engines. 3. A premier run on a public train with the rules examiner or his assistant will complete his certification for engineer. 4. The Rules Examiner / Road Foreman of Engines is certified by the board. 5. Any board member can revoke any or all privileges. 6. Members who constantly disregard the rules will be immediately decertified by the Rules examiner/ road foreman of engines or a board member. 7. Their certification can either be reinstated or revoked pending board decision. 8. All members will recertify each year after renewing membership. Any member not in good standings will automatically loose their certification and must under go complete certification. 9. Certified members can instruct and train new members on club equipment, to ready them for certification.
Certification Age
1. Members (under the age of 16) may serve as a conductor after all rules are understood and has had their 14th Birthday and passed all tests. 2. Members (under the age of 16) may run a train only under direct supervision of a certified adult (adult to be within reach of controls at all times) and are allowed to pull family and invited guests, but not general public passengers. 3. An Engineers Certificate can be issued to said individuals by the C P & G Board of Directors or certified by rules examiner after qualifying on the equipment. |