AAPRCO Special Train Operation & Safety Guidelines
Safety is Everyone's Responsibility. As with all railroad operations, safety is of paramount importance. The railroads hosting this special train operation have been assured that our staff and passengers are safety conscious and will be supervised by experienced train attendants. PV owners are responsible for the safety and conduct of their passengers! We are the guests of the railroads and we want to be invited back. Show decorum and respect at all times to railroad personnel.
Our special passenger train may be traveling over routes that have not seen a passenger train in many years. Therefore, car servicing and maintenance facilities may be makeshift and we may be subject to delays. Everyone is expected to be patient and cooperative in these situations.
The AAPRCO Trainmaster has been appointed full-time safety/security supervisor. He/she is responsible to the railroads and to AAPRCO to assure that we observe safety regulations. While on duty he has agreed to observe "Rule G". He can be reached by two-way radio utilizing the AAPRCO pre-assigned frequency.
Emergencies & Communication
1. In the event of a medical emergency or PV failure, notify your attendant or the Trainmaster immediately.
2. Each PV should have a two-way radio for communication. Use the pre-assigned AAPRCO frequency for internal car to car correspondence or to locate the Train-master. All railroad communication will be coordinated through the Train-master, or documented delegate.
3. There are cellular phones throughout the train however, except near large cities, cellular phones may be inoperative. If someone needs to reach you during the trip, they should leave a message on a voice retrieval answering machine, which you can interrogate.
Safety:
4. Be careful when moving between cars. Because our consist may include mid-train platforms, please be extremely cautious when moving between cars. Track conditions curves and rail joints may cause unexpected movement. Use the handrails whenever possible and WATCH YOU'RE FOOTING ON OPEN PLATFORMS.
5. ALCOHOL: Alcoholic beverages are not permitted off the train or on the platforms.
Glass containers are not permitted on the platform of any car at any time.6. TRAPS: Only PV attendants or delegates are allowed to open traps. Access to the train will be under the direction of the crew at the vestibules.
7. STOPS: Unscheduled stops or movements (e.g. photo opportunities) will be coordinated by the Train-master.
8. No one is permitted to wander about the rail yards without railroad permission.
9. Do not go under a train for any reason. Do not step on the tops of rails; they can be slippery.
10. LOCKED VESTIBULES: When parked at night, for security purposes, vestibules should be locked. If you or your passengers will be out late, make arrangements with your attendant, to re-board the train.
11. RE-BOARD IMMEDIATELY! A long blast of the locomotive whistle will sound five minutes before each departure.
12. HAND BRAKE: Assure that your hand brake has been released just before departure.
13. LITTER: Do not throw litter of any kind from the train. Cigarettes in particular pose a fire hazard. We will be notified of trash arrangements at each stop.
14. SHOES: Passengers should wear shoes at all times when on the train, in photo lines or on RR property. It is highly recommended that open toe shoes not be worn.
15. BLUE FLAGS should always be placed and removed by the same person and only after RR approval. Mechanical repairs should be communicated to the Trainmaster & stationmaster if appropriate.Miscellaneous Matters:
16. The railroads are adamant about NO toilet effluent when we are parked. Do not flush your toilets when we are stopped unless you use Microphor or holding tank equipped toilets. (Ask your attendant which toilets are so equipped). Failure to observe this requirement will result in the locking of all toilets when we are parked. It is the responsibility of the PV owner to clean up any mistakes.
17. WATER. We anticipate a recurring problem of exhausting our limited water supply. Water will be replenished only once each evening. PLEASE CONSERVE WATER. Short showers are mandatory. Some toilet and sink valves stick occasionally, permitting water to continually run. If this happens, please jiggle the valve; if the water continues to run, notify your attendant at once.
18. DIRT and grease are virtually impossible to remove from carpeting. Watch where you walk, railroad yards are notoriously dirty. PLEASE always wipe your feet before entering the train. Remove your shoes if necessary.
19. SMOKING. Smoking (at the discretion of each PV owner) is typically permitted only in your own room, vestibules, and on the platforms. Do not throw butts off of the train. Please consult your PV host for further information.
20. MECHANICAL. There is always the possibility of mechanical failure even thought all the equipment has been well maintained and thoroughly checked. As we will be traveling in sparsely populated areas, we may not be able to resolve and repair problems immediately. Your indulgence of any such problems is deeply appreciated. Please report any problems or difficulties to your attendant.
21. DIETARY. PV owners should poll their passengers to assure no unusual dietary restrictions, which could create a medical emergency.
This was originally written for the Winnipeg Convention Special. Revisions will be made, as necessary, for the Baltimore Convention Special Trains.
STAY TUNED FOR UPDATE
Although AAPRCO, Inc. strives to ensure that the information in its publications, including this web site, is accurate and up-to-date; industry standards and data do change, and your use of this information is beyond the control of AAPRCO, Inc., which explicitly disclaims any liability resulting from any use of the information in this or previous publications.