SWAMP CREEK & WESTERN
RAILROAD ASSOCIATION

211 Railroad Ave. Edmonds, WA 98020

STANDARDS and PROCEDURES

Established December 5, 2000

To be amended by page

5. OPERATIONS

5.   OPERATIONS -
A.   OPERATING THE LAYOUT - BY-LAW

See BY-LAW XI.

5.   OPERATIONS -
B.   OPERATING THE LAYOUT

July 3, 2001

These general guidelines shall be followed whenever operating the layout:

1. Throttle and bench power on/off switches are located in the middle of the layout to the left of Coldwater. Power should be turned off when not needed (if you are not going to operate trains but need bench power there is no reason to turn on the throttles).

2. Each Regular Board and Senior Regular Board member shall be issued a hand- held throttle unit as noted in bylaw. They shall be numbered for identification. Members may choose to replace the straight (telephone) line cords with coil-type.

3. Refer to the Electrical Department Manual for full details of the throttle's proper operation. If a member experiences difficulties he/she should report these to a more experienced member or the Electrical Department.

4. Remember this helpful rule- in all cases for westbound trains, the throttle direction switch is "UP", as in up the hill (west) from Orchard.

5. Power is applied to the tracks via rotary-type cab selectors. Only the tracks you desire to run on should be selected. The selectors should be returned to the off position when not in use. A good operator cleans up behind his/her train. The hand-held unit is plugged into the corresponding alpha-color- coded (phone) jack, regardless of its location. Note that if you plug into the wrong jack both your train and perhaps another will not work properly. You'll both wonder what's wrong with this dumb thing!

6. Turnouts are thrown by toggle switches. Turnouts should normally be returned to align the mainline after your train passes.

7. Press the emergency stop/reset button on your throttle to fully stop train movement even when you are operating with the knob. Otherwise the throttle might begin to creep. Always turn the cab selector to the off position when you leave your train unattended, even for just a moment. Always press the stop/reset button when you end your operating session.

8. Learn where the electrical gaps are located. Over running your block is a serious rules violation! Not only can it cause ridicule but in certain occasions it can cause damage to locomotives and/or the throttle units. (Bridging the gap between two throttles set in the opposite directions may cause one or the other to blow the power transistor!)

9. Operate your train at realistic speeds. Our track work is not that good! A derailment could not only cause damage to your locomotive and equipment- but possibly to other's equipment, track and scenery...

5.   OPERATIONS -
C.   BASIC EQUIPMENT RULES

July 3, 2001

These minimum standards shall apply to all equipment (locomotives or rolling stock) being left on the layout or used in a public or formal operating session. Members are free to test run new or non-standard equipment at other times so long as it is not detrimental to the layout and its control systems and does not interfere with regular activities and/or operations.

1. All equipment shall be HO scale (1/87th).

2. The trucks shall be properly gauged within NMRA specifications. The wheel sets shall be metal, insulated, clean and free rolling. Plastic wheels shall be allowed only when suitable metal replacements are not commercially available.

3. All equipment shall have operating Kadee or equivalent magnetic couplers. They shall be set at the proper height (25/64" at center), with the trip pins (gladhands) properly set (1/32" above the railhead), be insulated from the frame and wheels, and be in good working order. Dummy couplers or other fixed non- operable couplers are acceptable in unit trains, multiple power unit lash-ups and on the front end of steam locomotives.

4. Cars shall be weighted as recommended by NMRA standard practice of one ounce per car plus one-half ounce per inch of car length, within a one-half ounce (+/-) tolerance. Cars shall be able to roll freely without help down a 1% grade.

   Overweight cars may be acceptable if they roll freely and conform to all other applicable car standards. Open cars that do not meet the minimum weight standard, such as flats, gondolas, hoppers, etc. may be acceptable if their design or construction precludes the addition of weight without adversely effecting the appearance or performance of the car.

5. Locomotives shall be normally wired so as to move westbound when the throttle direction is set in the up position. Locomotives in multiple unit operation shall be geared reasonably close so as to eliminate jerking and wheel slippage. Locomotive wheels and wipers shall be kept clean for proper electrical contact. All locos should be in proper working order and not require "help" to get them or keep them moving.

6. All equipment should be in good mechanical condition, well constructed and maintained, and free of excessive squeaks, squeals, sticking, out-of-round or tapping wheels, odd noises or other distracting characteristics or appearances.

7. All equipment should be generally true to the prototype practices of the era being modeled and appropriately weathered.

8. Trucks and couplers shall be lubricated only with dry type lubricants. Liquid, paste, or oil type lubricants may only be used in gearboxes or similar enclosures. No other lubrication is necessary or allowed.

Cars shall be weighted as recommended by NMRA standard practice of one ounce per car plus one-half ounce per inch of car length, within a one-half ounce (+/-) tolerance.

5.   OPERATIONS -
D.   GENERAL OPERATING SESSION

July 3, 2001

General operating sessions shall be conducted under these general rules:

1. The 1st VP and/or his/her designee shall have the authority to direct the session.

2. The number and size of trains placed on the layout by each member may be determined in advance. Period, theme and possibly specific equipment might also be prearranged. Such information should be posted at least one Tuesday prior to the event. All participating members shall conform to the posting.

3. The general rule shall be one person, one train with extras only as space is available. As other members arrive to operate any extra equipment should be withdrawn proportionally.

4. The radio headsets are to be used for communication whenever more than two trains are being operated.

5. Before entering the operating session, the member shall announce him/herself, select an unoccupied cab and sign in on the board. When exiting, the operator shall press the stop/reset button on his/her throttle before turning cab selector(s) to off behind him/herself, remove his/her name from the board and announce withdrawal from the session.

6. Each member is expected to remain at his/her post especially at public shows even if a real train goes by outside. A scale train may only be left unattended when it is parked off the mainline and so as not to impede the regular flow of traffic. Unattended trains should always have the cab selector turned to the off position.

7. All equipment shall be pre-tested by the member and be known by them as reliably operable under normal layout conditions. If a train (or any part there of) cannot negotiate the entire layout or is longer than 14 cars (84 inches total) the operator shall give the dispatcher (if employed for the session) a card specifying the limitations before entering the session.

8. Faulty equipment that derails, short circuits or shows other signs of problems that might slow train movements shall be immediately removed from the layout upon such repeat (second) occurrence and shall not be returned into operation until fully repaired.

9. It is recommended that all personal equipment used in operating sessions be marked with the members three initials or other unique identifying mark.

5.   OPERATIONS -
E.   PUBLIC OPERATING SESSIONS

July 3, 2001

Open houses and special visits are addressed in Bylaw XII. In addition, the following guidelines shall apply:

1. The 1st VP shall have full authority over public shows. All members shall comply promptly and gracefully to his/her instructions.

2. In order to conduct an open house properly, at least three or better four members are required at all times. A sign-up sheet should be posted at least two weeks prior to the event. Typically, the session is split-shift for morning and afternoon positions. Members should arrive at least one half hour early in the morning to help set up and those in the afternoon should expect to stay one half hour past closing to help shut down. Shifts should overlap so as to allow double shifters a lunch break. The room may be closed off to visitors for brief periods (10-15 min.) of time periodically during the show to allow members time to add/remove equipment and make other quick adjustments. All members are expected to participate in their fair share of these important sessions throughout the calendar year.

3. Guests are our top priority. Please be on your best behavior. If you have a complaint, voice it later at the next business meeting, not in public! Remember, at this time you represent the SC&W RR Association, not just yourself.

4. Guests should be greeted and invited to ask questions. Give them one of our tour guides. Direct them to sign the guest book, right next to the donation jar.

5. Operators are encouraged to speak to our guests but do not become so distracted that you forget you are operating trains. Other SC&W members are encouraged to interact with the guests.

6. Most of all, have fun, after all, this is why we have put in all this hard work, to play trains!

5.   OPERATIONS -
F.   FORMAL OPERATING SESSION

July 3, 2001

Formal operating sessions shall be conducted under these rules:

1. Formal sessions shall be organized in advance by the 1st VP and/or his/her designee under terms (theme, period, session date or dates, etc.) mutually agreed upon by the membership. Such information shall be posted at least one Tuesday prior to the event. All participating members shall conform to the postings.

2. The 1st VP or his/her designee shall have the authority to direct the session. Members shall comply promptly and gracefully to all instructions.

3. Each piece of equipment (locomotives and rolling stock) shall be certified prior to entering the session.

4. For operational purposes the 1st VP and/or his/her designee may require registration or advanced check-in of some or all equipment used in a particular session.

5. Each piece shall remain on the layout for the entire period of the operating session or as prearranged or instructed by the 1st VP and/or his/her designee. Any pieces removed because of defects or other reasons shall be reported to the 1st VP and/or his/her designee.

6. The 1st VP and/or his/her designee may ask a member to remove equipment that is not operating within the Basic Equipment Standards. If equipment is removed by another party in the absences of the owner that person shall fill out a bad order card, carefully store the piece and inform the owner of the situation at their next convenience.

7. In special circumstances the 1st VP or his/her designee may accept certain restricted equipment that will only work on particular routes over the railroad. The dispatcher (if employed for the session) shall be given a card that specifies the limitations by the operator.

8. All equipment used in formal operating sessions shall be marked with the members three initials or other acceptable identifying mark.

5.   OPERATIONS -
G.   EQUIPMENT CERTIFICATION FOR FORMAL OPERATING SESSIONS

July 3, 2001

All equipment (locomotives and rolling stock) used in formal operating sessions shall be inspected and certified by the 1st VP or his/her designee before entering the session as follows:

1. Each piece of equipment shall meet or exceed all Basic Equipment Standards.

2. Each piece shall be clearly numbered and lettered.

3. Each piece shall be marked with the members three initials or other acceptable identifying mark. If not so marked the member shall submit a card that describes the piece to the full satisfaction of the inspector.

4. Freight cars shall demonstrate an ability to operate without problem across the entire PC&E layout by being pulled eastbound for two full circuits, westbound for two full circuits, enter and depart Orchard yard track #3, and be pushed into spur trackage.

5. Passenger cars shall demonstrate an ability to operate without problem across the layout's mainline, passing tracks and main yard trackage by being pulled eastbound for two full circuits and westbound for two full circuits, and be pushed into yard trackage.

6. Locomotives shall demonstrate an ability to operate without problem across the entire PC&E layout by pulling an average train eastbound for two full circuits and westbound for two full circuits, and negotiate switching chores appropriate to the locomotive class.

7. With the discretion of the 1st VP, in special cases, if a specific locomotive, such as a long wheel base steam engine or an electric locomotive, can only operate on certain sections or routes it may be issued a restricted certification. The nature of the limitations or restrictions shall be listed on the certificate.

8. When a piece of equipment passes inspection the owner shall be given a certification card valid for two (2) years with the inspector's signature and the date. The 1st VP shall keep a log of equipment that has passed inspection.

9. The member is expected to maintain their certified equipment to these standards or remove it from the register.

5.   OPERATIONS -
H.   PROTOTYPE OPERATING SESSION

TO BE DEVELOPED

5.   OPERATIONS -
I.   DISPATCHING

TO BE DEVELOPED

5.   OPERATIONS -
J.   RADIO ETIQUETTE

TO BE DEVELOPED

5.   OPERATIONS -
K.   PC&E EQUIPMENT COLOR SCHEMES

October 1, 2002

The following PC&E engine and rolling stock color schemes are recommended:

In general, with the coming of diesels in the late 1940s, new equipment tended to be painted/repainted with the "new look" (Erie) diamond rather than the older parallelogram. Equipment with both heralds co-existed for a number of years.

1. Diesel Freight Engines use the same Black and Yellow paint scheme used on Erie FTs, F units and Alco FA/B’s. A PC&E emblem is on the nose and sides, with the letters "PC&E" inside of the (Erie) diamond.

2. Diesel Passenger Engines use the same Maroon and Red scheme found on GM&O Diesels of the 50’s. The above-described PC&E Diesel Freight emblem is used instead of the GM&O nose emblem. The same emblem is also used on the sides. Gold striping is used between the Maroon and red sections, and the red section will run completely to the rear of the unit.

3. Road and Yard switchers use a Black with Yellow diagonal stripes scheme, much in the fashion found on Santa Fe "Zebra Striped" units. PC&E switchers would also use the PC&E emblem on the nose.

4. Steam Locomotives are black, with graphite boiler faces and red cab roofs. Tenders use the PC&E emblem (same as described above) on each side.

5. Cabooses will be red with the slogan "The Cascade Line" on each side.

6. All freight rolling stock (particularly Boxcars) use the (above described) PC&E emblem on each side. The PC&E is uses the slogan "The Cascade Line" on its boxcars, in the same manner as "billboard" boxcars.

7. The new passenger diesels in their colorful maroon and red scheme brought about changes in passenger car color, from the older Pullman green to a newer tuscan red for heavyweights and the maroon and red for lightweight cars. Cars in both schemes co-existed for several years. Some lightweight passenger cars like diners and sleepers had "The Cascade Line" on their sides.

8. Individual variations in equipment painted for the PC&E will be tolerated.

5.   OPERATIONS -
L.   PC&E EQUIPMENT ROSTER

TO BE DEVELOPED

TO PROCEDURES AND STANDARDS INDEX

SWAMP CREEK & WESTERN
RAILROAD ASSOCIATION

211 Railroad Ave. Edmonds, WA 98020