Index:
Railroad Operational Jobs
Set Up/Close up Routine
Railroad policies
Whistle signals
Spiels to Clients
Railroad Operational Jobs
(A Full Crew is nine: the Railroad Manager of the Day (RMD,) two engineers, a Stationmaster and Assistant, a Loop-Switch manager, an onboard conductor/Floating Relief and two ticket sellers. For a Reduced Operation, jobs can be combined (e.g., one ticket taker, one loader, one switch person, one RMD )
All Railroad personnel: Tasks: Provide a fun and safe experience for the clients; correct any bad or unsafe behavior; 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. Complete Accident/Incident reports when needed. (view pdf version); assist with derails if needed; have fun.
Railroad Manager of the Day RMD)
Role: fully in charge of the day’s operation
Tasks: (initial draft – ideas welcome including the daily log format)
who is doing the setup that day, 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 the daily log, Complete Accident/Incident reports when needed. (view pdf version here) etc. ; review the next weeks 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.
Train Engineer(s) (normally one for the main gas-engine-driven train and one for the e-loco train)
Role: fully in charge of the train they are operating
Tasks: drive the train safely around the track; help load/unload the train; use the whistle/horn signals correctly; maintain spacing between train and handcars; use shoulder checks and mirrors to monitor passenger behaviour; Stop at the new stop signs
Skill/Knowledge: knows how to: Operate the locomotive, especially stopping safely; Correct derails; Judge speed, especially downhill;
Stationmaster (and Assistant Stationmaster)
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 train assets; 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
Loop Switch Manager
Role: Manage track operations in the loop and the two X-crossings
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 the X-crossing traffic and help ensure safe operations at the X-crossings; monitor handcar behaviour; do not tolerate bumping, single-handng, or other irresponsible action;
Skill/Knowledge: know how to fix derails, understand correct train-handcar spacing
On-board Conductor (if available; could be a selected adult client or the Floating Relief)
Role: Be onboard with a whistle whenever a train has three or more passenger cars, particularly when many children are aboard.
Tasks: Monitor behavior; alert the Engineer with a whistle if problems occur;
Skill/Knowledge: any responsible adult
Floating Relief (if available)
Role: Ensures team members gets a break if needed
Tasks: Replace the person in various jobs, often at 30-minute intervals;
Skill/Knowledge: Ideally able to do all jobs; or just relieve someone for the jobs the floating relief is qualified.
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 if possible; 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 donation results to the treasurer and members.
Tasks: Bring the cashbox, take it home , count the days sales/donations, retain the $250 float; do the Scotia Bank deposit; ensure the cashbox is delivered to the ticket sellers next week; email a report to the crew
Set up and close down routines
Pre-arrange: prior to day of operation: RMD for that day: Ensure sufficient crew is coming; the blue box with Cash is coming; high octane gas for the loco is available; .
On arrival, (typically 11:30 for 12:30 event) team members: open the sheds, secure the doors in the open position; set up the animal silhouettes, turn on the waterwheel, fill the gas tank; re-connect the trains and bring them to the station; check that the stiff broom & special pry bar are available; set up the ticket table, and chairs; put up the heritage display boards put up sandwich sign announcing the train is operating
End-of-Day routine: everyone help collect signs, re-pack the blue totes; store everything in the shed except the cash blue box; put away the rolling stock; connect all battery chargers lock the back door while there is walking space; move the remaining rolling stock into the shed- final look-around; lock the shed
Railroad Policies
Certification: At present, we are developing certification standards and processes for qualifying Train Engineers. For the other railroad jobs, on-job-training is adequate and the RMD will assign people considered qualified.
Note: First Aid kit and Fire Extinguisher are mounted in the Shed; bring them out to the station each day
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-friends-vendors free list is suspended 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
– – vendors at the market and their children are given a reasonable number of free rides in a day
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 engineer 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 and loading ramp is normally positioned on the Y close to the station connected to the e-loco, 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. Options are pushing the loaded wheelchaircar car onto the mainline behind a train, or reverting to use the previous load position west of the station.
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Whistle Signals
“~~~” means long; “o” means short; either with a police-whistle; horn or toy steam whistle
~~~ Signal to stop (e.g.; conductor tells engineer to stop when backing; engineer replies with same single whistle ~~~ )
o o Conductor has loaded cars, given briefing and advises it’s safe to go;
o o Engineer is about to release brake and proceed
o o o Engineer is about to back up (sounded by either or both of Statiomaster and Engineer)
~~~ ~~~ o ~~~ level crossing – or any interest point (trestle, tunnel,….)
o o o o o emergency STOP!!!
loco bell – ring often for effect – or to draw attention to any other whistle
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. “