The Uniform Code of Operating Rules Revision of 1962

The Uniform Code of Operating Rules Revision of 1962 was the rulebook that the Canadian Pacific Railway used for its operations.  This 124 page booklet governed the operations  following railways;

1.) The Algoma Central and Hudson Bay Railway Company

2.) The Canadian National Railways Including lines in the United States

3.) The Central Vermont Railway

4.) The Duluth Winnipeg and Pacific Railway

5.) The Canadian Pacific Railway Company

6.) The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Company

7.) Essex Terminal Railway

8.) Naperville Junction Railway

9.) The New York Central Railway Company

10.) Northern Alberta Railways Company

11.) Ontario Northland Railway

12.) The Québec North Shore and Labrador Railway Company

13.) Sydney and Louisburg Railway

14.) The Toronto Hamilton and Buffalo Railway Company.

The UCOR covered the following rules:

General Notice

General Rules

Definitions

Operating Rules

Standard Time

Time Tables

Signals and Their Use

Color Signals

Hand (including Flag and Lamp Signals

Engine Whistle Signals

Communicating Signals

Train Signals

Protection of Impassable or Slow Track

Superiority of Trains

Movement of Trains and Engines

Handling of Switches and Derails

Rules for Movements by Train Orders

Forms of Train Orders

General Description and Location of Signals

Rules Governing the Movements of Trains In the Same Direction by Signal Indication

Rules Governing Opposing and Following Movements of Trains and Engines by Signal Indication

Centralized Traffic Control Rules

Block and Interlocking Signals

Electric Staff Block System Rules

Manual Block System Rules

Train Order Signal Rules

Automatic Block Signal System Rules

Interlocking Rules.

To qualify for employment as a Locomotive Fireman, Trainman (Brakeman) or Yardman (Switclman) candidate’s were required to write out in pencil, a “B” Book, which showed a full understanding of the Uniform Code of Operating Rules. This was a requirement of the Canadian Board of Transport. Here for example, are the UCOR GENERAL RULES:

A Employees, whose duties are prescribed by these rules, must have a copy of them accessible while on duty.

Employees, whose duties are in any way affected by the timetable must have a copy of the current timetable, and any supplements thereto if any, with them, when on duty.

B. Employees must be conversant with and obey the rules and special instructions. If in doubt as to their meaning they must apply to the proper authorities for an explanation.

NOTE: Special instructions may be issued by the proper authority, and will be found in the current timetables and bulletins.

C. Employees must pass the required examinations.

D. Employees in any service connected with the movements of trains are subject to the rules and special instructions.

E. Employees must render every assistance in their power in carrying out the rules and special instructions, and report promptly to the proper authority any violation thereof.

F.  Accidents, failure in the supply of water or fuel, defects in track, bridges, signals, block indicators, or any unusual conditions which may effect the movement of trains, must be promptly reported  by the quickest available means of communication to the proper authorities.  In case of injury to persons the names and addresses of as many witnesses as possible, must be obtained.

G. The use of intoxicants or narcotics by employees subject to duty, or their possession or use while on duty, is prohibited.

Here is a page from the “B” Book Examination showing the questions and spaces for the written answers for the GENERAL RULES.

For Rule “G” the question is “Is the use of intoxicants or narcotics by employees subject of duty, or their possession or use while on duty, prohibited?”  To which the written answer would be “Yes.”

Each rule of the UCOR would be covered in this examination book, and would be kept on file by the companies Rules Examiner.  A card would be issued by the Rules Examiner, and carried by the employee, and shown on demand by Company Officers, and Inspectors from the Board of Transport.  Employees were required to rewrite the rules every three years.  And after three years of service, Yardmen, and Trainmen as a requisite for promotion to Yard Foremen, and Conductor had to write an “A” Book that covered the rules of the UCOR extensively and in more detail.please please note