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TRACK OPERATING REGULATIONS AND RULES.
1. Authorised Personnel
Only members in good standing are covered by the Society's registered insurance, and only they may use the track. Any other user is trespassing and is uninsured by the Society. Visitors from other Southern Federation Clubs or Societies may use the track if their bona fides are established. They are to read a copy of these rules before being permitted to operate on the track.
2. Authorised Locomotives and Trolleys
Only locomotives for which a current boiler certificate is in force may be run on the track. "Scratch-built" locomotives are to be submitted for inspection by an experienced member of the Society before being run on the track for the first time. Trolleys which are 'new' to the track are to be wheeled around 'by hand' to ensure that they have adequate clearance around all the track before they are put into a train.
3. Number of persons present.
No locomotive is normally to be steamed unless there are at least three adults present (age 18 or over) who are either members or are accompanying a member, and are judged competent by their host to assist in the maintenance of discipline and order at the track. In exceptional circumstances two adults will be sufficient, but three is preferable.
4. Number of Locomotives in Steam.
Not more than four locomotives are to be in steam on the track circuit simultaneously, although additional locomotives may be in the steaming bays.
5. Drivers
Owners of locomotives will be adjudged competant to drive their own locomotives, and are responsible for assuring themselves of the competence of any other person who they permit to drive their locomotive. They should accompany any new driver for at least one circuit of the track so as to establish and demonstrate safe speeds on the bends. New members are to be accompanied by an experienced member on their first circuit of the track. As a general rule persons under the age of 16 years are not to be permitted to drive unless they are related to, or acompanied by, the owner of the locomotive to be driven. The owner of any locomotive is responsible for it's safe operation at all times.
6. Safe Distances.
A minimum safe distance between following trains may be defined as the stopping distnce of the following train. Thus if the leading train suffers a derailment, it will not be run-into by the train following. However, a minimum safe distance plus 50 feet should be maintained between moving trains.
7. Direction of travel.
The convention for direction of travel on the track is clockwise. If by common consent all drivers on a particular day decide to go in the opposite diection they may do so, but must ensure that any late arrivals are informed of the change of direction before they put their locomotive onto a steaming bay.
8. Boarding and Alighting from trains.
Except in emergency all boarding and alighting is to take place in the station area, so that trolleys are not at risk of tipping over. If another train is waiting to enter, a loaded train should pull forward as soon as its passengers are on board.
9. Length of trains - need for Gaurds.
Any train consisting of a locomotive and more than two following vehicles, be they passenger trolleys or driving truck, is to carry a responsible person as Guard. The Guard is to carry a whistle with which to communicate with the Driver and is to travel at the extreme rear of the train.
10. Emergency Signals by Whistle.
Guard's whistle signals are as follows :-
| | One blast | Proceed |
| | Three blasts | Stop immediately |
11. Brakes.
It is the drivers responsibility to ensure that his train has adequate braking capability, be it provided by the locomotive, or the trolley, or both.
14. First Aid Box.
A First aid box of the same standard as those provided for motorists, but also containing specific burn treatments is to be available before any steaming takes place. This box is to be kept in the 'Bunker' and it will be sealed, so that if the seal is unbroken it may be assumed to be complete. If the seal is found to have been broken it is to be examined and it's contents checked, and any shortages reported to the Secretary so that the box may be replenished promptly. If you use the box, advise the Secretary for the same purose.
15. Use of Power Tools at the Track.
With the exception of strimmers or lawn mowers, power tools and welding equipment are only used when at least two persons are present. Power tools using internal combustion engines are never to be used within the bunker.
16. Couplings.
Couplings should be incapable of coming undone inadvertantly, whether by the working loose of a pin or bolt, or the jumping-off of an eye from a hook. Safety chains are to be fitted wherever this condition is not strictly met. Safety chains should be tight enough that they will not fail due to snatching if they are brought into operation.
17. Traverser.
The Traverser is only to be out across the track when a locomotive is being transferred. A warning notice or guard is to be placed or stationed on the 'UP' side of the traverser whenever it is in use. A notice or guard is also to be in place whenever locomotives or trolleys are being carried across the track to the steaming bays, or being placed on the track.
18. Steaming Bays.
The steaming bays are 'Out of Bounds' to the general public. When boilers are under test, only the owner and testers are permitted to be in the immediate vicinity of the engine being tested. Young children should not be allowed into the steaming bays except under supervision.
19. Accidents.
If an accident or incident occurs, and particularly if involving any member of the public, all members present are to make written statements of what they saw or did as soon as possible after the event, and pass these to the Secretary. No statement is to be made to any injured person which might be construed in any way as accepting liability for an accident; take full details of the person involved and of their injuries, if any, and pass these too to the Secretary. Consider calling the Police and/or the Ambulance service and follow normal first aid procedures. If possible take the particulars of any independant witnesses and ask them also to make statements. Take photographs if possible.
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