(This document entered on disk 8/2/96.) NORTH AMERICAN RAILCAR OPERATORS ASSOCIATION BOOK OF RULES NUMBER 3 Feb. 1, 1996 INDEX Introduction, page 2. Sect. 1. Equipment Standards, page 3. Sect. 2. Operating Rules, page 9. Sect. 3. Personnel Rules, page 13. Sect. 4. Recommendations to meet coodinators, page 14. INTRODUCTION Dear fellow railcar enthusiasts: We recognize those common interests of motorcar ownership which include: 1. Preservation of unique and historic railroad equipment for show and operation. 2. Use of equipment to perform volunteer (or paid) work for museums and shortlines. 3. Personal satisfaction and enjoyment in operating over railroad rights-of-way. By issuance of this Rule Book, we request your compliance and agreement with these rules contained here-in. The benefits of having this rule book include: greater acceptance within the railroad industry, safer and more professional operation and lower insurance cost. The railroad industry operates by rules, understands rules, and expects rules to govern all railroad operation. Violation of NARCOA or host railroad safety rules may result in loss of riding and/or membership privileges. The conditions encountered at an organized motorcar excursion differ from those found in railroad maintenance-of-way service. Certain concerns of M of W work aren't found at motorcar excursions, while other problems are generated by the operation of large numbers of motorcars in close proximity. These Rules have been formulated to take that difference into account. Motorcar operators and passengers are responsible for knowing these rules. Rules aren't a substitute for common sense. If it looks bad and seems bad - it probably is bad. SECTION 1 EQUIPMENT STANDARDS Motorcars were built to many different specifications and standards over the years. The purpose of NARCOA mechanical standards is to insure safe operation under NARCOA sanction while maintaining the historic mechanical integrity of restored motorcars. Meet coordinators may require additional equipment for certain runs. Motorcars not so equipped will not be allowed to run at these excursions. It is the responsibility of the motorcar owner to ensure that his/her equipment meets the requirements for excursions in which the owner wishes to participate. Motorcars that have received substantial modifications will not be considered original equipment manufactured (OEM) and must meet the most strict standards. Cars will be inspected for defects at excursions. The operator of a motorcar is responsible that his/her motorcar is safe to operate (regardless of any finding by safety inspections) and that his/her motorcar meets the requirements contained in the equipment standards section of this Rule Book. Proper maintenance is also the owner's responsibility. 1. BRAKES. Brakes shall stop all four wheels, acting on the wheel surfaces or disks/drums on the axles. All brakes shall operate simultaneously from one lever/pedal. Application and release of the brakes must require one simple direct motion by the operator. The brake lever must not be against the stop when brakes are fully applied. Brake end arms shall not be in danger of going over center with full application. Electric brakes will not be allowed on motorcars or trailer cars. Non-OEM brakes boosted or operated from engine power or air pressure will not be allowed. Exceptions: manufactured cars not originally equipped with four wheel brakes. 2. GLAZING. Laminated safety plate glass is required for all windows. Tempered glass or Plexiglas windows are acceptable. Cars with plain plate glass windows shall not be operated at NARCOA excursions. 3. FOOTBOARDS. Adequate footboards for operator and passengers shall be conveniently located and securely fastened to the car. 4. ROTATING PARTS. Exposed moving engine or drive line parts must have proper guards to prevent injury to riders and bystanders. 5. REVERSE. All cars must be capable of operation in both directions, either by means of reversing or, in the case of light cars (less than 500 lb.), by turning. 6. WHEELS. Worn running surfaces on detachable plate wheels (pressed wheels) shall not be repaired by welding. Wheel running surface thickness on plate wheels shall not be less than 1/8" for light and medium weight cars, and 5/32" for heavy gang cars. Wheels shall be free from cracks. Only manufactured OEM wheels shall be used on motorcars. Exception: wheels approved by the NARCOA Board or Directors. 7. INSULATION. Wheels on all excursion equipment must be electrically insulated such that track circuits are not activated. Exceptions must be approved by the meet coordinator and the railroad. 8. TOW HITCHES. It is required that all operators equip their cars with horizontal tow hitches with a 3/4" to 1" hole mounted on the front and rear of the car 8" to 16" above the rail head. The hitch must be constructed of material at least as thick as the member to which it is attached. Should eye bolts be used as tow hitches, they must be 1/2 inch stock or larger, and welded closed or cast. The hitch must be mounted on the center-line of the car. (Exception: cars with outrigger design or frame members not strong enough to accept tow hitches need not be equipped with tow hitches.) 9. TOW BARS & PINS. A tow bar must be carried on the car. It mus have a minimum length of 20" and must be strong enough to be used for pushing and pulling. Fairmont link couplers are acceptable. The ends of the tow bar shall lap over the top and bottom of the hitch. Tow pins shall be between 3/4" to 1" and have a mechanism (retainer clip) to secure them from falling out. Nuts and bolts are not acceptable for use as tow bar pins. 10. GASOLINE TANKS. AAR standards require gasoline tanks be painted red. It is recommended that this standard be followed except for historic purposes. Tanks must be made of material approved by the DOT for the purpose. Gasoline cans carried on motorcars or trailers must be secured and must be of DOT approved material. 11. LIGHTS. All motorcars are required to be equipped with a head light and tail light. Cars without original lighting equipment may use portable battery lights as a substitute. 12. STOP LIGHTS. Stop lights are required for operation during hours of darkness and are strongly recommended otherwise. Stop lights must be at least 2" in diameter mounted on the rear of the motorcar, automatically illuminated upon brake application. Stop lights may be integral with the tail lights. Lights may flash with brake application. 13. FLAGS. Two bright red or red orange flags, 12" by 12" or larger, must be carried on each car and be used for signaling other motorcars and flagging crossings. 14. TRAILER CARS. Trailer cars hauling passengers must be equipped with four-wheel brakes, end sill railings securely fastened to the car and seats for all passengers securely fastened to the car. 15. WARNING DEVICE. It is required that a warning horn or bell be carried on all motorcars. 16. ADDITIONAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT. It is required that a First Aid Kit and a Fire Extinguisher be carried on all motorcars. Properly installed seat belts are recommended. A NARCOA Rule Book or affliate/chapter Rule Book which has the NARCOA set of rules as a subset, must be carried by all operators at a NARCOA motorcar excursion. 17. MISCELLANEOUS. Cracked or broken frame members, broken or rotten floor boards, body panels not fastened securely, loose axles or axle bearings or any similar defect which affects safe operation may be cause for exclusion from NARCOA excursion participation. 18. STEAM CAR BOILER. Must have current state or higher boiler inspection certificate which must be displayed on the car. The Safety valve must be ASME code approved for steam use. Two separate means of boiler water feed must be provided. Boiler water level must be indicated by a red line Pyrex safety water column glass (or equivalent) with protective cover. Maximum allowable pressure on lap seam boilers is 100 pi. 19. STEAM CAR FIRE BOX. Burning Solid fuel (coal or wood etc.) must have deflectors and guards on ash pans to prevent sparks. Ash pans must be made of minimum 12 gage steel or thicker to prevent burn-through. Means to dump fire in an emergency must be provided. A fire extinguisher must be carried on all steam cars. 20. STEAM CAR EXHAUST STACK. Must have baffles or screens to prevent sparks. 21. STEAM CAR PIPES. Or appliances which reach temperatures of more than 150 degrees must have guards or insulation to prevent burns to passengers or bystanders. Exceptions: valves and indicators. All pipes including burn-out plugs that may vent hot water or steam either in normal operation or during emergency operation must be directed under the car to prevent burns to passengers or bystanders. Pipes that vent steam only may be directed vertically upward above boiler top level. 22. STEAM CAR OPERATORS . Must wear gloves at all times while boiler is under pressure. SECTION 2 OPERATING RULES The operation of a railroad motorcar upon a cooperating railroad's right-of-way requires attention to rules laid down by the railroad and these NARCOA rules. When railroad rules conflict with NARCOA rules, railroad rules take precedence. 1. ALCOHOL AND DRUGS. No alcohol or drugs to be consumed or be in the possession of any operator or passenger while on railroad property. Excursion participants who show signs of impairment shall be excluded. 2. GRADE CROSSINGS. Motorcars must stop at all unflagged grade crossings and yield the right-of-way to highway traffic. Be prepared to stop for automobiles that may run around crossing gates or flag persons. Check flangeways for obstructions before proceeding. 3. MATERIALS. Loose materials or tools loaded on motorcars shall be properly placed and secured so as not to fall off while in motion. 4. RIDING POSITION. No person shall ride in a standing position or with legs or arms dangling from a motorcar or trailer. Arms or legs mast not be placed between towed cars. Do not get on or off a moving car. 5. SPEED. Motorcars shall be run slowly over frogs, switches, around sharp curves and when running through interlocking plants. Pass over a spring frog at a walk, or walk your car over if the frog will not open. Slow and use caution when approaching people or animals along the right-of-way. Never pass between a station and train discharging or receiving passengers. 6. REFUELING. Smoking, having open flame; or running the engine while fueling motorcars is prohibited. 7. BRAKING. Sharp or sudden application of the brake shall not be made except in an emergency. Warning of such application must be given to riders and following cars. 8. TORPEDOES AND FUSEES. The use of torpedoes at motorcar excursions is prohibited. Fusees must not be placed on or near wooden bridges or structures liable to be damaged by fire. 9. SWITCHES. After being thrown, switchstand levers must be properly and immediately secured to prevent the weight of rail vehicles from moving the points causing a derailment. In most cases, switches should be returned to the position where they were found. 10. TOWING/PUSHING. In the event of breakdown, a car should always be towed if practical. Pushing should be limited to getting the disabled car to the next spot where it can be removed for towing. Pushing should be done with care and never at more than fifteen miles per hour. Tow bars should not bind or be installed at too great a vertical angle. 11. OVERLOADING. Motorcars must not be overloaded with passengers causing unsafe operation. Passengers must not obstruct the operator's vision. 12. FOLLOWING. Take care to keep enough distance between your car and the one ahead so a safe stop can be made in case of emergency or derailment. Allow 100 feet for every ten miles per hour. Inexperienced operators should double the distance. Particular caution must be exercised with wet or greased rail. 13. STOPPING. Show a red flag, flashing red light, or a stop light to signal the following cars of a stop. During hours of darkness an automatic stop light must be used to signal a stop. When forced to stop on a curve with limited sight distance, walk back and flag following cars. 14. TOW BARS. When in use, tow bar pins must be secured by some positive means. A tow bar dropping to the ties can cause severe damage or injury. 15. INDEPENDENT OPERATION. Operation outside of the group without the meet coordinator's knowledge and permission is prohibited. All motorcar movements are governed by the meet coordinator and the designated lead car. SECTION 3 PERSONNEL RULES 1. SHOES. All motorcar excursion participants should take care to be suitably shod. Thin soled or open shoes are not allowed to be worn by excursion participants. 2. TRASH. Trash, garbage or refuse items must not be thrown on railroad property, in streams or private property along the right-of-way. Take these items and discard them in proper receptacles. 3. TRACK. Walking, stepping, standing or sitting on rails or switches is prohibited. Step over rails, not on them. Expect train or track car movement at any time without notice. Dismounting of motorcars while on bridges is prohibited. Exception: bridges with walkways and handrails. 5. PROPERTY. Respect railroad property. Don't remove anything you didn't bring with you. 6. TURNING. Turning heavy motorcars (more than 500 Ib.) at other than platforms or grade crossings without the use of jack or turntable is prohibited. 7. FLAGGING. Flag persons should always face traffic and watch for vehicles that may not stop. Hold flag up and away from body. Don't make motions to motorcars that highway traffic could misunderstand. Flaggers must only signal highway traffic to stop. Flaggers must never signal highway traffic to go, to do so assumes liability. Automobile and/or pedestrians always have the right of way at all grade crossings. 8. LOCOMOTIVES AND TRAINS. Excursion participants should take care to keep well away from operating railroad trains. Keep in mind that engineers have restricted close-in vision from many kinds of cabs. Don't stand between motorcars and a moving train on an adjacent track. 9. CHILDREN. No children under the age of 3 years are allowed to participate at a motorcar excursion. SECTION 4 NOTES TO MEET COORDINATORS 1. Meet coordinators should not require daytime operation of headlights on non-generator equipped cars except when ordered by the railroad. 2. Flagging of grade crossings under poor visibility or night-time conditions must be done with fusees. 3. Meet coordinators may prohibit or restrict the use of trailer cars. 4. Meet coordinators may include additional safety and operating rules they or the railroad deem necessary due to special conditions or local regulations. Meet coordinators must be familiar and adhere to the NARCOA Operations Book. 5. Motorcar operators will be notified of the breakdown rule in effect at each excursion. NOTES & CHANGES