As with all railroad operations, people safety is the most important issue.
We are the guests of the railroads and we want to be invited back. We do this
by showing respect at all times for our own personal safety, for the safety
of others on the train, and for the safety of the railroad personnel.
The car operator or their delegate (car attendant) will be providing you with
safety instructions. If you feel that these were not provided or are not sufficient,
ask for them, ask for more.
Our special passenger trains will 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. Please 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. The Trainmaster can be reached by two-way radio (see below).
Emergencies & Communication:
1. In the event of a medical emergency or PV failure, notify your attendant
or the Trainmaster immediately. Actions appropriate to the situation will
be initiated.
2. Each PV should have a two-way radio for communication with the Trainmaster
and for car to car correspondence. This works on a separate band of frequencies
from the Railroad radios and is usually on the Family Radio Service band (FRS).
When communication with the railroad or the train operating crew is necessary
use this radio to contact the Trainmaster who will properly contact the railroad
or crew. All railroad communication will be coordinated through the
Trainmaster, or delegate.
3. There are cellular phones throughout the train however, except near large
cities, cellular phones may be inoperative. It is advisable to provide your
cell number to your car operator or car attendant.
4. Medications & Dietary. If you have a dietary restriction which could
create a medical emergency, let the car operator or attendant know as soon
as possible. Be sure that you have adequate prescription medications to cover
the trip duration, as well as any time the car may be closed or inaccessible.
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. (Convention car paries may be
an exception.)
Glass containers are not permitted on the platform of any car at any
time.
6. TRAPS: Only car operators, attendants or delegates are allowed to open
and close traps. Access to the train will be under the direction of the car
operator or car attendant. Please be aboard at least five (5) minutes before
departure with the traps closed.
7. STOPS: Unscheduled stops or movements (e.g. photo opportunities) will be
coordinated by the Trainmaster who will notify the car operator or attendants
if and when it is possible to detrain.
8. No one is permitted to wander about the rail yards without railroad
permission. Have the car operator or attendant check with the Trainmaster
before detraining in a railroad yard.
9. Do not go under or between a train for any reason at any time.
Do not step on the tops of rails, they can be very slippery.
10. LOCKED VESTIBULES: When parked at night, for security purposes, vestibules
should be locked. If you 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: Passengers are not to operate the hand brake unless specifically
instructed by the car operator or attendant. If the car is moving and the
hand brake is applied, contact the car operator, attendant or trainmaster
immediately.
13. LITTER & ICE: Do not throw litter of any kind from the train. Cigarettes
in particular pose a fire hazard. We will be notified of trash & ice 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 strongly recommended that
open toe shoes not be worn.
15. BLUE FLAGS: Passengers are not to place or remove blue flags.
Miscellaneous Matters:
16. The railroads are adamant that NO toilet effluent be
released when we are parked. Ask your car operator or car attendant if your
toilets are either Microphor or holding tank-equipped. The railroads are so
adamant about this that if they observe toilet effluent from a car they will
lock all toilets when we are parked.
17. WATER. A recurring problem is the exhausting of our limited water supply.
Water will be replenished only once each evening. PLEASE CONSERVE
WATER. Short showers are encouraged. 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 car operator
or 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. You may even want to remove your shoes if
necessary.
19. SMOKING. Smoking (at the discretion of each car operator) is typically
permitted only in vestibules or on open platforms. Please be considerate of
others. 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
though 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
will be deeply appreciated. Please report any problems or difficulties to
car operator or to your attendant. If in doubt, ask and have a good time.
Copyright ©1997-2006 by AAPRCO, Last updated March 5, 2006