Railroad Accidents, Their Cause and Prevention

by R. C. Richards

19. On leaving a station passenger brakeman will pass through the train, from the front to the rear, and when about one-third the length of the car from forward end, with closed doors, will announce in a clear and distinct voice the name of the next station, then proceed to within the same distance from the rear end of the car and make the same announcement. If the train is to stop for meals the brakeman will so state, giving the length of time the train will stop. Conductors of all trains stopping at stations at which lunch counters or eating-houses are located will announce in the lunch or dining room notice of departure of the train in ample time to allow passengers to get aboard before it starts. Upon approaching a station located at or in the vicinity of a railroad crossing, when it is necessary for a train to stop at such crossing, before reaching the crossing brakemen must give warning of the fact by calling out distinctly in each car, "The next stop is for railway crossing, not a station." Junction points, railroad crossings where a stop is made, and terminals will be announced, passengers notified when to change cars, and attention directed to their parcels and other belongings.

20. Passenger train employees will pay particular attention to the comfort of their passengers and will see that proper lighting, ventilation, and temperature are maintained and sufficient drinking water is provided. They will not allow passengers to violate any rules of the company (such as riding on the platforms, etc.), and, while avoiding unnecessary conversation with passengers, will answer all questions courteously.

They will see that passengers are properly seated. They will pass through sleeping cars only when necessary and then as quickly as possible, exercising special care at night to avoid disturbing the occupants.

21. Conductors must collect the proper fare from every passenger not provided with a ticket or pass in proper form. In all cases, on the refusal of any passenger to produce a proper ticket or pass, or to pay the fare, the conductor shall cause the train to be brought to a full stop at a regular open station and shall require such person to leave the train, and, on refusal, shall remove him therefrom, and must procure and report the names and addresses of persons who were present and witnessed the controversy. Each conductor will be held responsible for the exercise of a reasonable discretion in the performance of this duty, being careful that no unnecessary force is used, that the company may not be subjected to unnecessary litigation or annoyance. They must not eject women or children of tender years, and any person unattended in such a condition of body or mind as to be incapable of caring for himself must be placed in the custody of the nearest station agent, who will wire the Superintendent for instructions regarding such person's final disposition. In removing a person from the train, the conductor must use extreme care to avoid controversy and not indulge in abusive language or in any manner insult or maltreat the person to be removed, or use unnecessary force in so doing, unless in a clear case of self-defense, when an assault is made upon the conductor or his men, and then the infliction of unnecessary injury must be carefully avoided. A sufficient force must be brought into requisition to overcome resistance and to place the person on the ground without inflicting injury, the law being that conductors may command employees or any of the passengers to assist in such removal. In all cases except where passengers shall be ejected for refusal to produce proper ticket or pass, or to pay the proper fare, the conductor, before so doing, must tender such passenger such proportion of the fare he has paid as the distance he then is from the place to which he has paid his fare bears to the whole distance for which he has paid his fare. In case of such ejectment a report must be sent to the Superintendent by first mail with full particulars.

22. Passenger trainmen will be required to securely close vestibule doors and platform traps of all passenger cars when in motion; and after departure from a station will observe whether or not there are any passengers clinging to the hand-rails of the vestibules.

23. Passenger brakemen will place themselves at the steps of coaches at stations, and will assist passengers in entering or leaving the cars. Special care must be taken with children and aged and infirm passengers, assisting them to and from trains, giving them ample time to insure safety. They will prevent passengers boarding or leaving the train while in motion, see that passengers are provided with proper tickets, and that they take the right train.

24. When a passenger train has stopped at a station platform, it must not move to take coal or water or do other work until the conductor permits by the usual signal.

25. Freight conductors and brakemen must be on hand not less than thirty minutes before the leaving time of their trains. They shall examine their trains while stopping at stations on the road and see that everything is in proper order.

26. Freight train employees are required to examine very carefully the condition of all brakes and ladders that they are to use, and to know that they are safe and in good condition before using them. If brakes are unsafe, or ladders out of order, brakemen will report them to the conductor at once.

27. Conductors leaving cars on side tracks will see that they are properly secured and sufficiently clear of the main line. In leaving loaded cars at any station they will place them most conveniently for unloading. The cars must be so placed as not to project over line of highway crossings. If a car be set out without a brake, conductors must securely block the wheels. Cutting off engine and cars before a train has stopped and allowing the balance of train to follow is prohibited.