Platelayers & C.

Rule Nos.280-302

Rule No.280

BALLAST TRAIN AT STAND ON MAIN LINE

When a Ballast Train is discharging or taking on ballast, sleepers of other materials on  the Main Line, the Ballast Guard is to go back with danger signal and detonators, and act in confirmity with Rule No.53.

Rule No.281

RUNNING OF BALLAST TRAINS

All persons in charge of Ballast Trains are to obey the orders of the Station Masters and Inspectors, so far as relates to the time of their running on the Line, and no Ballast Engineman is to leave a siding in front of an expected  Train, or without the permission of the officer in charge of the Points.

Rule No.282 

FOGGY WEATHER

No Ballasting is to be carried out on in [sic.] FOGGY WEATHER, except under urgent circumstances, and then only under special orders from the Manager and arrangement between the Permanent Way Inspector and the Traffic Department.

Rule No.283

REMOVING RAILS OR RE-LAYING

A man with a RED SIGNAL must always be stationed each way at least 60 yard, before a rail is it taken out and during re-laying operations, or any other obstruction caused to the Main Line, and in every other respect, so far as necessary, the same precautions must be taken as described in Rule No.53.

Rule No.284

REMOVING RAILS & C. IN FOGGY WEATHER

No rail, sleeper, block, or chair is to be removed in a Fog, or during the Night, except under urgent circumstances, or be express permission from the Permanent Way Inspector of the district; and in all cases, before taking out a rail, the Plate-Layer is to have at the spot a perfect rail in readiness, the exact length of the one to be removed, to replace it.  Where a browkn Rail is discovered the Platelayers must at once slur the nearest sleepers under the broken part of the Rail and spike the Rail down.  He must slow the Train over with great caution until a new Rail has been put in.

Rule No.285

TRUCK OR LORRY ON MAIN LINE

No Truck or Lorry is to be placed on the Line, except for the conveyance of materials, and any truck or lorry so used is to be followed and preceded by men carrying Red Signals, at a distance of at least 500 yards.  These Signals to be sent out the full distance before the Lorry is to be placed on the line without a sufficent number of men to remove it with care.

Rule No.286

TRUCK OR LORRY ON MAIN LINE IN FOG

No Truck or Lorry is to be used in a Fog; and the weels of Lorries must always be locked when not in use.

Rule No.287

LORRY AT END OF TRAIN

No Lorry is, under any circumstances, to be attached to the end of a Train.

Rule No.288

PLATELAYERS SIGNALLING IN FOGGY WEATHER

Whenever it is necessary, in consequence of Foggy Weather, to send out Platelayers, signalling, Station-Masters or Foremen on duty are to make such arrangements with the Gangers as will ensure each of the men reporting themeselves at the respective Stations, previous to taking up their several positions as Signalmen, in order that it may be known that the necessary protection to Trains is afforded. Station-masters, Inspectors, and other are reminded of the importance of at once communicating with Platelayers, where it occurs that it is foggy at or near Stations, while it is clear when the Platelayers are located.  Platelayers should also understand that it is ther duty to proceed to the respective Stations or Junctions, and report themselves to the Station-master or Junction man (as the case may be), in order to take his instructions; and if at night, or even in the day, should the Fog be very dense, they must at one commence signalling. The Station-master or Foreman on duty at Stations must also satisfy himself that the men are out signalling.

Rule No.289

INSPECTOR TO HAVE LIST OF NAMES

Every Inspector and Ganger must have a list of the names and abodes of every man in their district, so that, in case of accident, they may be enabled to summon them immediately to assist in any way that may be deemed necesary; and should any obstructions take place coaused by snow, frost, slips or other sudden emergency they are instantly to collect the requried strenguth to overcome the obstacle.

Rule No.290 

CEASE WORKING ON TRAIN APPROACHING

The Platelayers and their men are to desist from work when a Train is 300 yards from them and must move to the side of the road, clear of the Line, to secure themselves from the risk of accident.

Rule No.291

REPORT ON INATTENTION TO SIGNAL

In the event of any Engineman neglecting to comply with the signal to stop or to proceed cautiously, as the case may be, the Platelayer is to report the circumstances in order that proper notice may be taken of it.

Rule No.292

MATERIALS TO BE KEPT CLEAR OF RAILS

Every Platelayer is held responsible for the removal of all loose timberm stones, rails, chairs, or other materials, as well as the workman's tools, so that the Line may be kept clear of interruption of any kind.

Rule No.293

SECURITY OF TOOLS & IMPLEMENTS

Tools and implements required for the repair of the Line must when not in use, be kept locked up in a building, or on boxes, for the security of which each Foreman or Ganger on his own length of line in responsible.

Rule No.294

INSPECTION OF LINE

The whole Line is to be inspected by the Platelayers every morning before 7 a.m. in summer, and 8 a.m. in winter and in the evening before they leave off work; care must be taken that the Rails are in gauge, the spikes driven home, and the fish plates properly secured, and that the points and crossings are in proper working condition.

Rule No.295

ACCIDENTS ON LINE

On learning that an accident has occurred, a Platelayer is to proceed with all possible despatch to the next gang in each direction, from which a Platelayer will in like manner run to the next more distant Platelayer, till information of the accidne thas by this means reached to Station in each Direction.  Having communicated the information, the Platelayers are immediately to return to give their assistance.

Rule No.296

TRESSPASSERS

Every Inspector and Platelayer must order off all persons trespassing within the fences on his district; and if such persons persist in remaining, he is to procure the name and address of the offender, and report to the nearest Station-master.

Rule No.297

GATE OPEN / CATTLE ON LINE

Every Platelayer is to report if any gates which the owners or occupiers of land are required to keep shut, have been left open, that the parties may be charged with the penalties; and any instance of sheep or cattle being on the Line or Slopes is also to be duly reported to the Superior Office.

Rule No.298 

CODE OF SIGNALS

Every Platelayer is to make himself duly acquainted with the code of Signals, and Regulations for the working of the Trains.

Rule No.299 

RULES & REGULATIONS

The Permanent Way Inspector must from time to time satisfy himself that the men under his charge understand the Rules & Regulations for their guidance, and that the same are properly observed and carried out, and he must report any departure from them to the Manager.

Rule No.300

FLAGS & LAMPS CARRIED

Each squad of Platelayers must always have ready at hand two Red and two Green Flags, two signal Lamps (to be always well-trimmed) and two cases of Fog Signals.

Rule No.301

ASSISTANCE

In cases of necessity the Ganger of any squad must get the assistance of a man from the adjoining squad, or a Porter from the nearest Station, to help in replacing or turning a Rail,m or in working the Lorry, or act as Signalman.

Rule No.302

SNOW & FROST

During Snow and Frost, Platelayers must use the greatest care in keeping the Flangeways for the wheels clear of ice and ballast; as also the check Rails on curves, Levels and other Crossings.