Valley Line Operation Protocols
1) Sign the Register
2) Pickup Paperwork
a. Job Card
i. Conductor’s Notes which describe the job in detail
b. Locomotive Card
i. Provides Function Key assignments and critical operating information
ii. Locomotives have maximum momentum & require use of brakes
c. Clearance Card & Train Orders
i. The Clearance Card is your authority to be on the railroad and your Orders are your authority to operate only between certain points on the railroad, and sometimes include special operating instructions.
ii. Do not operate beyond your orders. If you need additional authority, contact the Dispatcher.
d. Conductor’s Wheel Report
i. Lists every car in your train at initial departure, including where it is consigned.
ii. Notes cars in the train requiring transfer to another train to get to their final destination.
e. Additional Paperwork - Waybills & “Empty Car” bills
i. Each car has paperwork – either an Empty Car Bill, showing Home Route/Gateway, or Waybill, showing car’s destination & route (pull waybill up slightly to show route).
ii. Leave it with car in the bill box at point of delivery or transfer.
3) PDX-1 & PDX-2 must receive permission from Dispatcher to depart yard and to occupy main track. HDX-7 and HDX-12 may depart as soon as they receive their Clearance Card and Orders.
4) At each town:
a. Check bill box for paperwork for pickups which are headed where you are going or need to be delivered to another train to get to its final destination ("waybill" may need to be pulled up slightly to show route).
b. If there is no paperwork for a car, the car is a “Hold” and remains where spotted.
c. Industries & track layout are located on the fascia at each town.
5) At end of run:
a. Notify Dispatcher
b. Note any defects on Memorandum
c. Clip all bills to clipboard
d. Shut down engine (F8)
e. Zero out throttle (Select Loco “0”)
Form 8-2-26