This requirement would seem to be so obvious that it was hardly necessary to include it in the rules, but for the fact that there has been some oversight of so manifest a precaution.
Rule 518.—Orders to persons in charge of work requiring the use of track in yards or at other points, authorizing such use when trains are late, must be delivered in the same way as to conductors of trains.
This rule recognizes the fact that the same care is necessary in giving the use of the track in the time of regular trains, whether it be to a yard crew or a train on the road. Carelessness in this respect, by men working at stations, has frequently resulted in disaster. The sacredness of the "rights" of trains should be an integral part of railway doctrine.
Rule 519.—An order to be delivered to a train at a point not a telegraph station, or while the office is closed, must be addressed to
"C. and E., No. —— (at ——), care of ——," and forwarded and delivered by the conductor or other person in whose care it is addressed. "Complete" will be given upon the signature of the person by whom the order is to be delivered, who must be supplied with copies for the conductor and engineman addressed, and a copy upon which he shall take their signatures. This copy he must deliver to the first operator accessible, who must preserve it, and at once advise the Train Dispatcher of its having been received.
Orders so delivered to a train must be compared by those receiving them with the copy held by the person delivering, and acted on as if "complete" had been given in the ordinary way.
Orders must not be sent in the manner herein provided to trains the rights of which are thereby restricted.
The subject of delivery of orders at points away from telegraph stations has already been considered. The method of doing this is here determined.
Safety in carrying this out must depend largely on the carefulness of the person selected to deliver the order.
Rule 520.—When a train is named in an order, all its sections are included, unless particular sections are specified; and each section included must have copies addressed and delivered to it.