Index:
Set Up and Close down Routines
Whistle signals
Radio Procedures
Railroad policies
Spiels to Clients
Railroad Operational Jobs
Set up and close down routines
Several days in advance
– pre-select the RMD, ideally the previous Sunday
– RMD for that day ensures sufficient crew is coming; the blue box with cash is coming; high octane gas for the loco is available.
On the day – Setup routine
– RMD should be onsite by 11:30; Volunteers are to arrive by 12:00 at the latest.
– With a minimum crew, the RMD tasks can be shared amongst the qualified RMDs as the day progresses.
– RMD will assign staff to assist in completing the Operational Day opening tasks as needed (see tasks below)
– Before operations begin, the RMD will call for a short informal safety/operational meeting that they will lead with all members who are working that day. Attendance is mandatory. (5 minutes)
– The RMD will assign tasks and confirm completion on the two-sided 8.5×11″ laminated checklist
– This meeting will set the tone for the day as well as reinforce safety protocols.
– The RMD will assign who operates which position at this time.
– Any issues or suggestions can be aired.
Opening routine for Sunday Operation
West Shed
- Open the West Shed door. Move the pax car from the shed middle track to the middle of the train track in the station
- Open the back door and turn on the waterwheel
- Move the caboose and two pax cars up to the third pax car on the train track #1. Confirm the block and derail bar are on a car
- Put the Radios, Fire Extinguisher and First aid kit into the station
- Set up the ticket table
Wheelchair Shed
- Open both doors, move the wheelchair car up to the east track in front of the shed (to connect with Little Toot)
- Put out the heritage signs on the shed wall
- Make sure the track in the shed is clear of roll-stoppers
South Shed
- Open both South Shed Doors, unhook the battery chargers, roll out Gerri
- Fill the gas tank, put out the “Train today” sandwich sign.
- Move Gerri to the station and connect to the pax cars
- Attach the wheelchair car behind Little Toot and move it to the load ramp
Clear the track of windfalls or rocks on the ties near rails
- Assess the track: is the blower needed, or just a hand car with broom?
- Gas blower is in the West Shed (gas in the lean-to shed)
- Blow or broom the track, then check for rocks on ties next to inner-rail edge after blowing by walking or on hand car with room. Check for rocks in the switches or guard rails
- Confirm silhouettes and stop/yield signs are in place
End-of-day routine: At the end of the operational day, the RMDs will
– Call for a short meeting to discuss any issues or suggestions.
– Designate staff to help close up operations and secure the area.
Closing Procedure
South and Wheelchair Sheds procedure
- Move Little Toot with wheelchair car into it’s track near the west shed.
- Load some station tables, bins etc onto the Easy Access car, then move it and Gerri to the West Shed.
- Get and store the “Train rides today” sign, turn off the Gerri power-compressor switch, put the chargers on Gerri and Little Toot, then lock the South Shed door
- Move the wheelchair car back to the Wheelchair Shed, store the heritage signs, and lock the doors.
Station and West Shed procedure
- Put the Hand cars into the West side-shed, and lock the door.
- Load remaining station tables, bins, stool etc on the passenger cars.
- Move the caboose and two passenger cars into the West Shed.
- Move the remaining passenger car onto the hand car track, then into the middle track of the shed.
- Turn off the Water Wheel, then close the far West-end doors with bar /chain.
- Put the Radios, Fire Extinguisher, First aid kit, G-Scale items and flags away.
- Confirm the radios and flashlights are plugged in and on charge
- Lock the East-end doors with bar and padlock
Radio Procedures
We currently own four two-way radios: Cobra PX 650 Walkie Talkies
– The Conductors on both trains (#s 1 & 2), the stationmaster (#3) and the RMD (#4) will have the radios.
– Radio conversations should be as discreet as possible in front of passengers.
– Use the CALL button to call rather than voice (a two-second tone)
– Standby: green led flash every five seconds
– To Talk: Push-To-Talk the button on the left side
– Don’t press the Emergency Alert button (Red: top centre) unless seeking help from other users of the open walkie-talkie community)
Code Alfa: If the Loco#1 engine derails the Conductor will call the RMD and state “Code Alfa” and location
Code Delta: Non-emergency: e.g., If one of the passenger cars derails the Conductor will call the RMD and state “Code Delta” and location.
Code Echo: If an emergency occurs, the Conductor will call the RMD and state “Code Echo” and location.
– These codes will help the RMD decide on the response numbers required
Setup/test/storage/charging
– Remove the four radios from the two charging docks
– Test the radios: Turn on; listen to confirm they are on the assigned channel (single click on channel knob; Channel 2 for now)
– At day’s end, put the four radios on the charging docks, and BE SURE THE RADIOS ARE OFF
Settings (no action required for regular operation)
– Channel change if needed: press the LOCK button to unlock (2 seconds), then twist the channel button to the correct channel
– Leave the LOCK button “on” when done (press for two seconds)
– AutoSquelch: leave ON (if hearing a loud background, press theCall/Mon button 3 seconds to go back to auto-squelch).
– FUNC button: ignore.
– – – Privacy code: no need to set unless we get interference
– – – VOX (voice activation) – no need to change: is turned off
– – – Roger Beep: left ON (beeps when Press-to-talk button released
– The manual is a tiny booklet by the charger
Whistle Signals (mouth or air horn)
“~~~” means long; “o” means short; either with a police-whistle; horn or toy steam whistle
Whistles in the station
– Station Master initiates communication to start a ride, Engineer/Conductor respond
o o Two Short Whistles from Station Master (loading all clear); • OK to release brakes and proceed
o o Two short whistles from the Conductor (Gerri loco only). Passengers are seated correctly, ok to release brakes and proceed
o o Two Short Whistles from Train (a reply); Brakes off and proceeding forward (out of station)
Whistles outside of Station:
o o Two Short Whistles from Train (a warning); Brakes off and proceeding Forward
o o o Three Short Whistles from Train (a warning); • Brakes off and proceeding in Reverse
~~~ One to Three Long whistles by anyone Stop!!!!!
o o o o o Five Short Whistles repeated (SOS); • Train requires immediate assistance; Only to be used in a health-related emergency
~~~ ~~~ o ~~~ level crossing – or any interest point (trestle, tunnel,….)
loco bell – ring often for effect – or to draw attention to any other whistle
Railroad Policies
Gas Loco #1 Procedure:
– A Staff Conductor must be onboard every passenger run.
– The conductor will sit right behind the Engineer facing to the back of the train.
– The Conductor is responsible for passenger control & passenger safety
– If the conductor blows one long whistle while the train is moving the engineer must stop immediately.
Station Loading Procedure:
– The Station Master will blow the whistle 2 times when they determine the train is loaded.
– The Conductor will check the train is ready to go, then blow the whistle 2 times.
– The engineer will respond with two air horn whistles and proceed forward
Resolving Derail Procedures:
– Only the RMD will attend to the derails with those they delegate if any. This should be done as discreetly and quietly as possible.
– The RMD is in charge of derails with help from the engineer.
– Customers who derail should be encouraged to safely stand by, rather than have them wander off.
– If the ride can continue back to the station loaded it should do so. (Having an empty train return and people walking in sends a poor message.)
Train Coupling:
– Pins are to remain in the coupling receiver
– Connector bars are to remain attached to the rear of a car
– Spare pins and connectors are stored in the battery compartment of the gas loco
Certification: At present, we are developing certification standards and processes for qualifying Train Engineers. Skills/Knowledge/Attitude requirements will be defined.
Knowledge, Skills, and Attitude—collectively known as the KSA framework—are the three pillars of personal and professional competency. Knowledge is the theoretical understanding, Skills are the practical ability to execute tasks, and Attitude represents the mindset and behaviours that drive how you apply them.
Early topics for engineer training include comprehensive Skills, Knowledge and Attitude on our railroad : whistle signals, radio usage, safe and effective train speeds, stops and starts, derail protocols, etc
For the other railroad jobs, on-job-training is adequate and the RMD will assign people considered qualified.
Railroad Style – encourage lots of “show” – bells and whistles etc – take photos; email to webmaster.
Ride Pricing – Rides cost $2.00; Three single-punched tickets are valid for a free ride; Needed caregivers and their rider travel on one ticket. “Needed” can be declared by any child or parent/guardian unsure their child of any age will be ok alone; or a railway team member who wants the parent/guardian along for safety
Free List
– We’re not a business – our policy is to give free rides to deserving people. But…
-It’s important we be consistent with who get free rides to as not to antagonize the people who pay, often more than they can afford
– riders going free could be given 3-punched tickets to hand the conductor rather than announce verbally that the person doesn’t need a ticket.
– the family-friend free list should take only one ride when there are large lineups to ride the train
– Some free list situations:
– – sponsors and their families who have donated time or money to the railroad and stop by to see what it’s all about
– – family members and close friends of active PRFHS volunteers ride free a reasonable number of rides in a day
– – some special needs people who have been identified by regular train crew members are given some free rides, particularly when traffic is low
– – Note that the previous policy for vendors at the market and their children to ride free was cancelled
We recommend all riders face forward for the ride because:
– some people become disoriented when riding backwards.
– train capacity is reduced when people sit both ways.
Some exceptions to must-face-forward are:
– when a young child is in the caboose, then a parent/guardian facing him/her can be allowed. The Conductor will decide.
– Some special needs persons need their caregiver riding backwards.
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Wet Weather Contingency
Bring extra towels to dry the seats; use the material we have now
Could set up a tent over the track if rain is forecast
Bring extra tarps to keep unused cars dry
Garden and gutter/rain barrel/water tower Policy
After a trial year in 2024, we have decided to put the garden into a fallow mode using only water from the rain barrel to water the garden, which could have a cover crop or whatever.
– The wheelchair car is to be positioned at the permanent ramp, loaded there, and brought to the station when a wheelchair rider is ready. If that e-loco is in service pulling passenger cars, the RMD will direct the connecting/loading process. An option is to push the loaded wheelchair car onto the mainline behind a train
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Spiels for the clients
Stationmaster Spiel for Train
Suggested (for new stationmasters. Wording can be adapted to your style)
– Thank you for coming. For a safe and enjoyable trip, please:
– Face forward unless especially authorized.
– Keep your feet inside your car.
– Do not lean out, attempt to grab anything, or change positions; or you may disrupt the balance of the train.
– When the ride is over, please wait for the train to come to a complete stop and do not get off until the conductor or engineer blows his whistle and says it is safe to do so.
….. after the trip is over, direct them to the exit…
– Thank you for riding with us!”
Stationmaster spiel for hand car clients
(Wording can be adapted to your style)
“- Thank you for coming — we hope you enjoy the ride.
– the hand car is tippy, so to get on the hand car, don’t stand on it. Put one foot on either side and sit down.
– short legs can be bent at the knees with the feet positioned on the hand car. For longer legs, put your legs straight, with feet out in front of the car.
– wiggle forward or backward to be sure your weight is centered, or you could derail
– always hold on tight to both handles. The handles don’t coast like a bicycle, and if you let go the handles, they can get away on you and knock your teeth out.
– go slowly while in the station, then full speed after you get past the crossing
– keep a space between you and the other hand car. No bumping please.
– if the hand car derails, get off and signal a crewmember for help. Or, try to lift and center it on the track yourself.
….. after the trip is over, direct them to the exit...
– Thank you for riding with us!”
Ticket Seller Spiel
( Wording can be adapted to your style)
“- Welcome to the Paradise Valley Railroad!
– Thank you for coming — we hope you enjoy the ride.
– Rides cost $2 per person, for either the train or hand cars.
…if young children or special needs person are there…
– For the train, for children up to three years old, we require a caregiver along on the train, and the child with caregiver ride on one $2 fare
– For children older than three, or special needs people, if we, or the child or caregiver feels they need someone older along for confidence or safety, the two ride on one $2 fare.
– for the hand car, children must be taller than __ inches and five years old or more.
– For safety, it is important that you follow the safe riding rules posted on the signs. Please have a look at them as you wait.
– Take your ticket through the line to the conductor, who will punch the ticket.
– Please note that we have a free bonus ride program. Three single-punched tickets are valid for a free ride, so be sure to save them and bring them back for free rides; not only today but all season.
– and…. be sure to follow train crew instructions at all times. “
Railroad Operational Jobs
(A Full Crew is ten: the Railroad Manager of the Day (RMD,) a Stationmaster and Assistant/Handcar loader, Loco#1 Engineer, Loco#1 Onboard Conductor, Wheelchair car engineer, a Main Switch manager, a Crossings flag Manager, and two ticket sellers. For a Reduced Operation, jobs can be combined, including the RMD among the approved RMDs.
All Railroad personnel: Tasks: Provide a fun and safe experience for the clients; correct any bad or unsafe behaviour; ensure zero tolerance for sexual harassment; be politically correct on all human rights areas: race, religion, sexual orientation, age, appearance, weight, colour, politics, etc; implement all the railroad Policies, assist with derails if needed; have fun.
Youth under 19 on crew: For a youth under 19 to be assigned any railroad crew position other than Main Switch, parents/guardien must be contacted, informed of the task, and provide their permission.
– Assess the person’s skill set, maturity and commitment level and go from there.
– Consider extended period of training and assessment given the younger age and life experience before any engineer duties are introduced, particularly for any public rides.
Railroad Manager of the Day RMD)
Role: fully in charge of the day’s operation
Current RMDs: Dan Parsons, Russ Evans, Rob Clark, Bob Johnson, Karl Schoen, Dave Florence
Tasks: During Operations: Monitor the radio, manage the operation
Before and after operations: As per the “Setup – Closedown” checklists above: who is doing what task, e.g.: do we blow the track first, who is doing a test run with hand car or train, train configuration, who is covering which job, when do we start, when do we put which train away, who is in charge on a derail, what do we do if an issue arises, Complete a report to the Communications officer (verbal or email), Complete Accident/Incident reports when needed. (view pdf version here) etc. ; review the next week’s operation with next week’s RMD; report summary to the crew by email (or have the cashbox manager do it).
Skill/Knowledge: knows all policies and functions of the railroad operation through extensive experience, and knows the team well enough to select the best member to do a specific task.
Stationmaster (and Assistant Stationmaster/Handcar loader)
Role: Manage the client lineup; load and unload train and handcar passengers, assign task-sharing with the Assistant Stationmaster
Tasks: Lineup: Assess wait times and work with the RMD regarding which train assets to use; Departure: decide the departure sequence of train and handcars; open the entrance rope, punch new tickets, collect punched tickets used for the ride-bonus (destroy at day’s end); Decide where to position clients; board the people, close the rope, do the safety spiel; call “All Aboard” when the train is about to go. Arrival: Direct clients to the exit. Repeat.
Skill/Knowledge: Manage all the station functions effectively
Train Engineer(s) (need one for the main gas-engine-driven train (Loco#1) and one for the e-loco train periodically)
Role: Drive the train safely and effectively
Tasks: Drive the train safely; Minimize equipment wear and failure; Use the radio, mouth-whistle and air horn signals correctly; Restore the train on tracks after a derail or get appropriate help; Listen to advice from the Conductor; Maintain correct spacing between train and handcars; Follow the advice of the Railroad Crossings Manager, or maintain safety at the crossings if the Railroad Crossings Manager is not there; Help load/unload the train;
Skill/Knowledge: knows how, and can do the above tasks.
On-board Conductors (Rear-facing on Loco#1; at the back of the wheelchair car)
Role: Implement safety protocols on board
Tasks: Monitor passenger behaviour and correct as needed using the radio and personal whistle; speak to the engineer and alert others by voice or whistle if problems occur; assist fixing derails if qualified
Skill/Knowledge/Attitude: fully knowledgeable on acceptable passenger behaviour, radio and whistle procedures. Confident and not shy to correct behavior.
Main Switch Manager
Role: Switch from main line to handcar line as needed; fix handcar derails
Tasks: Operate the switch that puts trains and handcars onto the correct track into the station; fix handcar derails in the loop; send slow or tired hand-car clients on the by-pass to the station; monitor handcar behaviour; do not tolerate bumping, single-handling, or other irresponsible action; ( if no Crossings manager in place: monitor the X-crossing traffic and help ensure safe operations at the X-crossings; )
Skill/Knowledge: know how to fix derails, understand correct train-handcar spacing
Railroad Crossing Manager
Role: Add a layer of safety at the crossings
Tasks: help ensure no accidents at the crossings
-Note the previous stop and yield signs at the crossing have been removed; they were ineffective.
– wave handcars and trains through if safe to do so and block traffic if needed
– when crossover #1 is not staffed, we revert to the policy of our first 13 years: the engineer is responsible for checking for hand cars (or another train), and stop or wave them through as appropriate.
– Position yourself to physically block handcars when a train is approaching.
– wave the train through the stop sign if safe to do so.
– – with the Main Switch Manager, monitor Rail Crossing #2 and keep trains and handcars safe there (crossing #2 has a Yield sign).
Skill/Knowledge: Be able to judge the speed and capability of handcars and trains; have confidence to enforce the rules; provide clear direction to handcars and the train engineer.
Ticket Sellers (normally two)
Role: Be the”Front of House” face of the Railroad;
Tasks: Welcome clients, Explain the process; Implement the height/age policy; Sell the ride and raffle tickets; stamp arms with the train stamp if requested; mind the cashbox, store large bags for clients, complete the daily cash log; roll toonies/loonies at day’s end; deliver the cashbox to the Railroad Cashbox Manager.
Skill/Knowledge: people-friendly; skilled in handling cash and making change;
Railroad Cashbox Manager (The PRFHS Treasurer or someone he selects)
Role: Manage the cashbox, make bank deposits, and report results to the treasurer and members through the Communications Manager.
Tasks: Bring the cashbox, take it home , re-count the days sales/donations, retain the $250 float; do the Scotia Bank deposits; ensure the cashbox is delivered to the ticket sellers next week
Skill/Knowledge: skilled in handling cash and banking
Chief Engineer (currently Dan Parsons)
Role: the final authority on railroad procedures and technical matters
Tasks: Review all railroad procedures and modifications
Skill/Knowledge: An experienced operator, maintainer and builder of 7.5″ gauge model railroads
Communications Manager (Currently Dave Florence)
Role: Keep the crew and public informed
Tasks: weekly email to the crew; ensure the web page is kept current;
Skill/Knowledge: Computer applications; ideally a website maintainer
