2015 Train Mountain Triennial

TRAIN MOUNTAIN RAILROAD RULES OF THE ROAD

1. ALL TRAINS MUST HAVE BOTH AN ENGINEER AND A CONDUCTOR,
Except for speeders and similar single-unit equipment that can be safely removed from the track by one person in the event of a breakdown. This specifically excludes radio-controlled trains. The minimum age for a conductor is seven, the age of reason.
(special note for the Triennial - Both engineer and conductor must have a safety video sticker on their badge in order to run on Train Mountain during the Triennial).

2. SEVEN MILES PER HOUR MAXIMUM SPEED EQUALS TEN SECONDS BETWEEN MILEPOSTS.
Exceptions are posted trackside.

3. 210' MINIMUM SEPARATION BETWEEN TRAINS EQUALS TWO MILEPOST LENGTHS TO THE END OF THE NEXT TRAIN.
The absence of signal blocks means that safety requires separation between trains.

4. ALL CONDUCTORS TO BE EQUIPPED WITH A RED FLAG.
Minimum flag size is 12" x 12".

5. CONDUCTOR TO FLAG TWO MILEPOST LENGTHS (210') BEHIND ANY STOPPED TRAIN.
This rule probably prevents more accidents than all of the other rules combined.

6. SAFETY CHAINS OR DRAWBARS REQUIRED BETWEEN ALL CARS.
Some grades are more than a mile long. This rule prevents runaway cars
.
7. ALL TRAINS TO HAVE AN FRS RADIO TUNED TO CHANNEL 10.
Someday, one of these radios will save the life of someone who has a heart attack while miles away from Central Station.
(It is recommended that all trains have a cell phone with them for use in case of an emergency especially in the northern territory where the FRS radio coverage is limited).

8. SOUND HORN OR WHISTLE(___ ____ _ ____) AT | W | SIGN.
These signs are located 60' before the track crosses roads or other tracks.

9. SPARK ARRESTORS & ASHPANS REQUIRED ON ALL COAL, OIL & WOOD BURNERS.
The summer fire danger in Klamath County is always "High" and often "Extreme."

10. DROP A GREEN BLOCK AT ANY DERAILMENT LOCATION.
Not only does this tell track crews where problems are, it warns the next train that there is a track problem.

11. UPON ENTERING ANY SIDING, RETURN SWITCH THROWS TO BE LINED FOR MAIN LINE.
This is particularly important when the next train may have an engineer on his or her first trip on Train Mountain track.

NIGHT RUNNING

12. WHITE HEADLIGHT MOUNTED ON FRONT OF ENGINE.
Steam engines may need battery-powered headlights.

13. RED TAILLIGHT MOUNTED ON REAR OF LAST CAR.
The flashing lights sold in bicycle stores are a popular way of meeting this requirement.

14. CONDUCTOR TO USE FLASHLIGHT TO FLAG TWO MILEPOSTS (210') BEHIND ANY STOPPED TRAIN.

7. ALL TRAINS TO HAVE A CB RADIO TUNED TO CHANNEL 1 OR AN FRS RADIO TUNED TO CHANNEL 10.
Someday, one of these radios will save the life of someone who has a heart attack while miles away from Central Station.


Campers staying at 6 Acre can charge their radios at the Camp Hosts' tent in 6 Acre campground if they have no alternative.

3. 210' MINIMUM SEPARATION BETWEEN TRAINS EQUALS TWO MILEPOST LENGTHS TO THE END OF THE NEXT TRAIN.
The absence of signal blocks means that safety requires separation between trains.

I have been reading on a couple of the other forums of issues with people having accidents by running into other trains. At Train Mountain some of the new track has an excellent signal system. The rest of the layout we use the mileposts as our clearance markers. The mileposts are 105 feet apart. If you stay at least two mileposts behind the train ahead of you then you will have 210 feet to stop. Now before you get out on the mainline with your train, try a couple of stops and try and get a rough idea how well you can get stopped in 210 feet.



Once out on the mainline watch the milepost markers. They have a wealth of information on them. Across the top they have what division you are in. The big number in the center is the actual milepost number. That little number at the bottom is important for the discussion here. It shows the grade between this milepost and the next. If the number is positive you are going uphill, so stopping may not be that big of an issue as gravity will help a little. If the number is negative then watch out, because gravity is not a friend here.

The other thing about Train Mountain to remember is that we have very long grades. We also have mountain morning dew and that makes the track very slippery. Another contributing factor is the number of trains that will be out on the track during the Triennial. Some of those running may know where they are going, most will not know and so frequent stops will occur. There are many alternate routes to go on as you go around the property but each of these escape routes require the train to stop and change the switch. Just give yourself some extra room ahead and all should be safe and sane.

5. CONDUCTOR TO FLAG TWO MILEPOST LENGTHS (210') BEHIND ANY STOPPED TRAIN.
This rule probably prevents more accidents than all of the other rules combined.

While you are stopped to throw the switches make sure your conductor is doing their job by protecting the rear of your train. If your flagger / conductor is still sitting on your train when it gets hit the fault is equally divided between the two parties. Leave enough clearance ahead and flag the track behind you if you stop.

Triennial Committee