Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:41:11 +0000UTCThursdaypm3141vUTC
Train Mountain has a document that was started by Quentin at the very beginning of Train Mountain. This document is an attempt to put everything about the operation of the railroad in writing. This document is called the Train Mountain Encyclopedia. The following description of the duties of the conductor is quoted from this document.
Conductor.
The first rule in the Rules of the Road requires that every train have both an engineer and a conductor. The reason for this rule is grounded in the functions that a conductor performs.
The conductor is responsible for flagging two milepost lengths behind a stopped train. It is not enough for the engineer to place a flag stand on the track two-milepost lengths behind a stopped train and go back to the engine and attempt to get it going. This does not assure that the following train will stop. A live body who will wave a flag and, if needed, raise a hue and cry, creates a substantial probability that the approaching train will stop.
Although a broken down train on the main line may be inconvenient, an engineer with his head in the cab of a steam locomotive running into the rear of a stopped train can cause serious personal injury. Conductors waving red flags by day (and flashlights by night) behind stopped trains and calling out if needed, have prevented more accidents than any other single safety rule in the hobby.
The one exception to this rule is for speeders and other very very small locomotives that can be easily removed from the track by one person in the event of a break down. We grant that exception because the reason for the rule is to have a conductor available to flag in case of a nonfunctioning locomotive. If the problem locomotive can easily be removed from the track, then there is no reason for a conductor.
Many engineers ask their conductors to serve as the communications officer for maintaining contact with both the dispatcher and other trains. Long trains have a flagger in the last car. Really long trains have brakemen every ten cars throughout the length of the train in addition to the flagger. For these trains, the conductor is ideally situated to maintain radio contact with the flagger and brakemen.
First time engineers at Train Mountain often ask an experienced engineer to sit in the conductor's seat the first time around the track to act as navigator and to explain the locations of rest stops, water stops and shortcuts back to Central Station. Even more important, a conductor can be a great help with directions, refueling, breakdowns, a medical emergency and derailments. Putting a derailed engine back on the track is a whole lot easier with two backs than one. (11/04)
Triennial Committee
Conductor.
The first rule in the Rules of the Road requires that every train have both an engineer and a conductor. The reason for this rule is grounded in the functions that a conductor performs.
The conductor is responsible for flagging two milepost lengths behind a stopped train. It is not enough for the engineer to place a flag stand on the track two-milepost lengths behind a stopped train and go back to the engine and attempt to get it going. This does not assure that the following train will stop. A live body who will wave a flag and, if needed, raise a hue and cry, creates a substantial probability that the approaching train will stop.
Although a broken down train on the main line may be inconvenient, an engineer with his head in the cab of a steam locomotive running into the rear of a stopped train can cause serious personal injury. Conductors waving red flags by day (and flashlights by night) behind stopped trains and calling out if needed, have prevented more accidents than any other single safety rule in the hobby.
The one exception to this rule is for speeders and other very very small locomotives that can be easily removed from the track by one person in the event of a break down. We grant that exception because the reason for the rule is to have a conductor available to flag in case of a nonfunctioning locomotive. If the problem locomotive can easily be removed from the track, then there is no reason for a conductor.
Many engineers ask their conductors to serve as the communications officer for maintaining contact with both the dispatcher and other trains. Long trains have a flagger in the last car. Really long trains have brakemen every ten cars throughout the length of the train in addition to the flagger. For these trains, the conductor is ideally situated to maintain radio contact with the flagger and brakemen.
First time engineers at Train Mountain often ask an experienced engineer to sit in the conductor's seat the first time around the track to act as navigator and to explain the locations of rest stops, water stops and shortcuts back to Central Station. Even more important, a conductor can be a great help with directions, refueling, breakdowns, a medical emergency and derailments. Putting a derailed engine back on the track is a whole lot easier with two backs than one. (11/04)
Triennial Committee