Rule 511.—When an order has been transmitted, preceded by the signal "19," operators receiving it must (unless otherwise directed) repeat it back at once from the manifold copy, and in the succession in which the several offices have been addressed. Each operator repeating must observe whether the others repeat correctly. After the order has been repeated correctly, the response "complete," with the Superintendent's initials, will be given, when authorized by the Train Dispatcher. Each operator receiving this response must write on each copy the word "complete," the time, and his last name in full, and reply "i i complete" with his office signal, and will personally deliver the order to the persons addressed, without taking their signatures.
[Note.—On roads where it is desired, the signatures of the conductors (or conductors, enginemen, and pilots) may be taken by the operator on the delivery of the order. See also note under Rule 500. The Committee has recommended two forms of train orders—the "31" order and the "19" order; leaving it discretionary with the roads to adopt one or both of these forms.]
This rule provides for the steps in transmission of the "19" order, for which signatures of trainmen are not required, as Rule 509 does for the "31" order. The steps are the same excepting as to the "O K" and its acknowledgment and the signatures. The same general considerations apply to the steps which are identical. The absence of the requirement as to signatures renders the "O K" unnecessary, the "complete" being the Dispatcher's notice both that the order has been correctly repeated and that it may be delivered after "complete" has been acknowledged, which should be in the succession in which offices are addressed. The responsibility of delivery to the right parties is placed on the operator.
The use of this method, rather than that under which trainmen sign for the order, has been the subject of much serious thought and discussion. In either case the "danger" signal and the carefulness of the operator are the means depended on for stopping a train for which an order has been transmitted. The difference is in the mode of delivery. If signatures are taken the men must take the time to go to the office. If they are not taken the men may go to the office or the operator may go out to deliver. The train may perhaps not stop entirely. In any event the delivery is likely to be hasty and without careful inspection of the order by those who receive it. A conservative view would seem to indicate that there were some risk in this, and yet many experienced officers do not look upon it in that light, and on roads having heavy traffic and many fast trains this method is used with satisfactory results.
The real solution of the question may be in careful supervision, good discipline, correct habits, and strict attention to business. In these lies safety; in the opposite, danger.
It will be observed that a note of the Time Convention Committee, attached to the rule and here shown, indicates that the adoption of either form or both is discretionary with roads adopting the "Standard" rules, and that it is suggested that it may be provided that operators shall take the signatures of trainmen for "19" orders. These would be simply evidence of delivery, and the signatures would not, under this arrangement, be telegraphed to headquarters.
The question as to when it is best or proper to use the "19" order must be determined by circumstances. Taking and transmitting the signatures is intended to secure deliberate care in the delivery and certainty that the order is delivered to the right train.
The first is reasonably certain when the trainmen are required to go to the office and sign for the order; the second is determined by the transmission of the signatures. Those who use the "19" order must leave both these points to the care of the operator. If operators are thoroughly drilled and under constant and careful supervision, and so fully occupied with the work as to be necessarily always on the alert, this dependence is more likely to result favorably than where discipline is slack and business dull, and especially where the operator is required to attend to other duties. Circumstances may often seem to require the delivery of an order without signatures where the contrary is the usual custom. It would be necessary in such case to use special precautions in instructing the operator, and it should scarcely be allowed without special authority from the responsible head.
Rule 512.—For an order preceded by the signal "19," "complete" must be given and acknowledged for the train of superior right before it is given for the train of inferior right.
If the line fails before an office has received and acknowledged the "complete" to an order preceded by the signal "19," the order at that office is of no effect, and must be treated as if it had not been sent.