Waiting during switching

[FCIN]

Ed, thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions so complete!

You're quite welcome - hope my answers weren't too hard to follow.

Most important is not to align a set of turnouts from the central panel, run over all off them with the cut and set them back t one operation again from the central control panel. A turnout can be set locally only if the cut is close enough that a switchman can perform the task and return.

I guess I assumed that you threw all your turnouts manually as I do, but manual or not, you're correct. Don't line the switch until the train comes up to it and stops. If you had two or more switches in a row that needed to be aligned, then your switchman would walk along and line each of them until he had the route he wanted, BEFORE the train would move. According to the rules you don't move the train until all the switches are properly lined and locked for movement. However, if you spend much time around some rail locations, you'll see that rule "bent" quite often.

One more thing.. (you have been afraid of it:-)
a. I blow the horn - - . - before the crossing and until the crossing is blocked by the engine (or first car if pushing). In parallel the bell is ring constantly while approaching and passing the crossing. The ditch lights will be at full power together with the bell.
b. I ring the bell if the cut runs in an area (e.g. on the street running tracks on the pier at the south yard) where the train shares the traffic with automobiles or pedestrians.
It must be very noisy in areas like Vernon. The horn is blown frequently and the bell is switch on when the shift begins and stays on most of the time...

Yep, you've got that covered. Approaching crossing engine in lead, you turn on the bell, which on some roads causes the ditch lights to start alternately flashing, then you start your - - . - crossing signal (which according to the rules is to be repeated as necessary until you pass the crossing). Shoving, you may or may not hear the horn signal blown, but it should be until the first car fouls the crossing. Bell would not need to be rung.

Here's another except from the Standard Code of Operating Rules:
"Ring the engine bell under any of the following conditions:
* Before moving, except when making momentary stop and start switching movements.
* As a warning signal anytime it is necessary.
* When approaching public crossings at grade with the engine in front, as follows:
+ If distance permits, ringing must begin at least 1/4 mile before the public crossing and continue until the crossing is occupied. or
+ If distance does not permit, ringing must begin soon enough before the crossing to provide a warning and continue until the crossing is occupied."

Special Instructions for specific areas would modify the general rule as required. Bell would be rung going down city streets as you mentioned and you'd most likely give short blasts on the horn periodically too. When working in industrial areas where personnel would be close to the track and along warehouse loading docks or doors, you'd want to ring the bell too.

Yes, in some areas, it would be pretty darn noisy to say the least, and if your engines are sound equipped, ringing the bell almost constantly could drive you to drink! But running your train down a city street, it would really make it interesting.