Stokers and pokers

by Sir Francis Bond Head

REGULATIONS FOR POLICEMEN AND POINTSMEN.

1. Every Policeman on duty is to stand upon the Line clear of the rails, and to give the proper signal on the passing of an Engine.

2. Every Policeman will be supplied with a whistle, to aid in calling the attention of the next officer in communication with him to a signal; and no signal must be considered to be received until answered by the Policeman to whom it is passed.

3. On a Train stopping at a Station after sunset, the Policeman on duty is to see that the Tail and Side Lamps are lighted and in order, and, if not, he is to report the same to the Guard of the Train, as well as to the Clerk on duty.

4. On a Goods or Coal Train stopping at a Station, the Policeman on duty is to ascertain from the Breaksman at which Station the Train is next to stop, that he may inform the Engineman and Guard of the following Train. This precaution is more especially enjoined during foggy weather.

5. On a Policeman having to stop a Train, he is to tell the Engineman the cause, and then let the Train proceed, unless he has orders to detain it, in which case he is to desire the Engineman to draw on until the whole Train is well within the Signal Post, to admit of a following Train stopping at the Signal, without risk of collision.

6. When a Train stopping at a Station extends beyond the Signal Post, the Policeman on duty is to go back in rear of the Train with his Hand Signal, to a distance sufficient to ensure its being well observed by the Engineman of any other Engine that may be following.

7. This precaution, though at all times necessary, is more particularly so with the Up Trains at Weedon, Roade, and Leighton.

8. The Policeman stationed at the New Canal Bridge, near Birmingham, when he cannot discern the Signal at the Junction of the Gloucester Railway, is to show the Green Signal to every Engine passing towards Birmingham, and the Engineman is then to bring his Engine to a stand at the Ticket Platform unless there signalled to proceed.

9. At the junction with the Midland at Rugby—the Bedford at Bletchley—the Aylesbury at Cheddington—the Peterborough at Blisworth—the Leamington at Coventry—the Manchester and the Chester at Crewe—the Macclesfield at Cheadle, where Stationary Signals are placed, the Policeman is to keep the Red Signal always turned on to the Branch Line, to prevent an Engine passing to the Main Line until he has ascertained that the Main Line is clear, when he is to turn the Signal off the Branch and on to the Main Line.