A. Required Books
Employees must maintain and have with them while on duty a copy of the following:
1. The Operating Rules and Timetable, if their duties are affected by them.
2. The Safety Rules for their department.
3. The Hazardous Materials Instructions, if they are involved in the shipment of hazardous materials.
4. The Air Brake Instructions, if their duties are affected by them.

B. Rules and Special Instructions
Employees must be familiar with and obey all rules and special instructions that relate to their duties. If in doubt as to the meaning or application of a rule or special instruction, an employee must request an explanation from the proper authority.

C. Required Examinations
Employees whose duties require them to be qualified on the Operating Rules and Timetable must pass the required examinations. These employees must be re-examined on the Operating Rules annually, or as required at other times by a proper authority.

Employees will be given a written examination on the Operating Rules and must obtain a score of at least 85%. When reporting for the examination they must present their Operating Rules book, Timetable and other instructions for inspection. Employees who fail this examination must take a second examination within thirty days. Employees who fail the second examination, or who fail to be re-examined within 30 days, will not be qualified to perform service.

When an employee passes a physical characteristics examination, the territory on which the employee is qualified must be shown on the “Qualified for Service” page of the employee's Timetable, if provided.

D. Employee Conduct
Employees must devote themselves exclusively to the Company's service while on duty. They must render every assistance in their power in carrying out the rules and special instructions, and promptly report any violation to the proper official.

To remain in service, employees must refrain from conduct that adversely affects the performance of their duties, other employees, or the public. Employees must also refrain from conduct that discredits the Company.

Acts of insubordination, hostility or willful disregard of the Company's interest are prohibited.

E. Prohibited Behavior
The following behaviors are prohibited:
1. While on duty or on company property: Gambling, fighting or participating in any illegal, immoral or unauthorized activity.
2. When required to perform service: Sleeping or assuming the attitude of sleep. Having or using electronic devices not related to their duties, unless authorized by the railroad. Card playing or reading other than Company instructions.
3. Solicitation of gratuities from patrons.

F. Reporting Unusual Occurrences
Derailments, collisions, storms, washouts, high water, fires, obstructions to tracks, and any other condition which could result in death or injury, damage to property or disruption of railroad operations must be reported to the Dispatcher by the quickest available means of communication.

G. Drugs and Alcohol
Employees are prohibited from engaging in the following activities while on duty or reporting for duty:
1. Using alcoholic beverages or intoxicants, having them in their possession, or being under their influence.
2. Using or being under the influence of any drug, medication, or other controlled substance – including prescribed medication – that will in any way adversely affect their alertness, coordination, reaction, response or safety. Employees having questions about possible adverse effects of prescribed medication must consult a Company medical officer before reporting for duty.
3. Illegally possessing or selling a drug, narcotic or other controlled substance.
An employee may be required to take a breath test and/or provide a urine sample if the Company reasonably suspects violation of this rule. Refusal to comply with this requirement will be considered a violation of this rule and the employee will be promptly removed from service.

H. Smoking
Employees on duty in or about passenger stations or passenger trains are prohibited from using tobacco while serving patrons or while in their presence. Smoking in engines, except in cabs, is prohibited.

I. Fire Precautions
Employees must use every precaution to prevent fires. The Dispatcher, Yardmaster or employee in charge must be notified promptly when any fire is observed on or near company property.

J. Uniforms; Grooming
Employees required to wear a uniform must wear the prescribed uniform and shall maintain a presentable appearance at all times.

K. Courtesy Towards Public and Patrons
To avoid annoyance to patrons and the public, employees authorized to transact business in offices, stations, and on or about trains must be courteous and orderly.

L. Protecting Company Affairs and Property
The divulging of the Company's business affairs to persons other than those authorized to receive such information is prohibited.

Company property must be protected. If Company property is endangered, employees must unite to protect it. Misplaced articles and freight found on Company equipment or property must be cared for and reported promptly.

It is prohibited to abuse, misuse, deface, or deliberately damage or destroy Company property, tools, or equipment.

Employees must keep switch keys in secure places, and must not allow unqualified or unauthorized persons to use or gain possession of these keys.

The unauthorized possession, removal, or disposal of any material from railroad property or property served by the railroad is prohibited.

Unauthorized persons must not be allowed on company property or equipment at any time.

M. Corrective Lenses
Employees whose duties require them to distinguish the color or position of signals and who require the use of corrective lenses will be governed as follows:
1. They must wear such corrective lenses while performing their duties.
2. Employees who require corrective lenses for distance vision must have an extra pair with them while on duty.
3. Employees whose vision requires the use of corrective lenses will be examined only while wearing the proper corrective lenses. They will not be examined unless they have the proper number of pairs of corrective lenses with them at the examination.
4. Goggles with corrective lenses must be rigid frame type and will be considered the same as corrective lenses.
5. Employees may wear neutral gray tinted sunglasses when exposed to direct rays or glare of the sun.
6. Employees are prohibited from wearing light-activated tinted eyeglasses.

N. Complying with Rules, Orders, and Instructions
Employees on duty on any division or railroad must comply with the orders and instructions of that division or railroad, unless otherwise directed.

O. Maintaining Workplace
Employees must keep their workplace in a neat and orderly condition.

P. Operating Engines
Only a qualified employee or a trainee under the personal supervision of a qualified employee is permitted to operate an engine.

Q. Hours of Service
Employees subject to the Federal Hours of Service Act must familiarize themselves with the Act and comply with its requirements. They must not exceed the maximum hours permitted by law unless authorized by the Dispatcher.

An employee who is called to report for duty before his legal rest period has expired must report that fact to the person ordering him to report.

Train and engine crews must notify the appropriate Dispatcher or other designated supervisor 3 hours before their legal work period expires, unless certain they will be able to complete their assignment before their legal work period expires.

R. Injuries on Railroad Property
Initial medical assistance should be afforded to all persons injured on railroad property.

A report of such occurrences must be made promptly to the designated officer, followed by a full written report on the prescribed form. Names and addresses of all witnesses should be obtained.

When persons are injured by appliances on engines or cars, or by tools or machinery, such equipment must be immediately inspected. If defective, the equipment must be properly identified as such, protected, and removed from service.

S. Safety; Following the Safe Course
Safety is of first importance. These rules provide for a safe and efficient operation. In case of doubt, the safe course must be followed.

T. Reporting for Duty; On Call
Employees must report for duty at the required time.

Employees subject to call must not leave their usual calling place without notice to those required to call them.

Employees must not absent themselves from duty or leave their assignment or engage a substitute to perform their duties without permission of a designated officer.

Employees must give immediate written notice of change in residence or telephone number to a designated officer.

U. Reporting Medical Condition
Employees must notify the company medical officer of any condition not already on record with the railroad, which could impair their ability to perform their duties. This notification must be made immediately upon the employee receiving knowledge of the condition, and is not limited to those conditions discovered during required medical examinations.

The Digitized Conductor - Version 1.0
All Manuals copy written by their respective Companies.
Created and Maintained by ModernRailroading.com
(c) 2005