Do Canadian RR’s use the same whistle/horn signals the US does? Do their RR"s use the same gauge we do? Do they follow most of the same practices, too, or not?
I have tried to look this up, but so far, I’ve had no luck. I’m sure it is available someplace but… Thanks for your help, and Happy New Year.
Track gauge is the same.
Horn signals I believe are all the same.
Most of their operating practices are the same, but not all. Their signal system does not convey the same meanings as either of the two US systems.
BTW - The three major Mexican railroads also use the same track gauge as the US and Canada, and freight cars and locomotives are interchanged with the US railroads.
Excellent; thanks so much! I did wonder about Mexico, too, but only thought of it after I had posted! Happy New Year to all.
Most of your questions have been answered. Things like whistle signals and signal indications are set out in rule books.
Immediately after WWII there was a push to have operating rules that were published in various locations; Employee Timetables, bulletins, special instructions, etc., codified into one book. It was done in 1951, and called the Uniform Code of Operating Rules (UCOR). It was adopted by the CNR, CPR, but also in the US by NYC, C&O, and Pere Marquette, along with some feeder lines in both countries.
The UCOR went through one more major revision in the early sixties. Then in the late seventies or early eighties the Canadian railways adopted their own rule book, called the Canadian Railway Operating Rules (CROR). To borrow that old expression, it is pretty much “the same but different”.
I have heard some working railroaders here comment/complain that when it comes to operating rules, CSX marches to the beat of a different drummer. I’ve always thought that is because their drummer has some Canadian ancestry. If you utilize the search function at the side, you should find a listing of the rule books used in the US. Carl S. had a particularly good post about this subject a few years ago.
Bruce
In the Newfoundland area the CN did have a narrow gauge line.
You will have to get books on the history of CN between 1923-1970 to find about the narrow gauge lines.
Andrew
Search for NEWFOUNDLAND RAILWAY NARROW GAUGE to find your answers.
Andrew
I was just reading another forum and found two revisions to what I had posted earlier.
The UCOR revision occurred in 1962. And the CROR came out on January 16, 1990, with a revision on February 1, 2004.
Andrew, nice catch on the narrow gauge line in Newfoundland.
Bruce
Great; thanks to all who replied!
I have another question, from earlier in this thread:
Most of their operating practices are the same, but not all. Their signal system does not convey the same meanings as either of the two US systems (posted by beaulieu; sorry I can’t do this the other way!)
I had no idea (i still have far more to learn than what I know!) there were TWO US systems. Can anyone please explain- where they are geographically, why 2, not 1, system; are they similar, how do you know you are in ‘A’ or ‘B’ territory, or is that obvious etc Thanks again. If I am one thing, it’s anxious to learn all I can!
One thought, Americans use the term “railroads” Canadians refer to them as ‘railways’’ , although some railroads in the U.S. are railways. And correct me if I’m wrong, I don’t think the U.S. has any trans-continental railroads(ways) N. - S. or E. - W.
One easy spotting feature of movies shot in Canada trying to depict American scenes. All crossbucks at grade crossings in Canada say “Railway Crossing” not “Railroad Crossing” as in the US.
Except in Quebec, and a half hour later in Newfoundland. It’s our British ancestry, Pip Pip.[:)]
Bruce
Back in the day, the Illinois Central might have qualified as a north-south transcontinental. Now, as part of CN’s system including GTW and WC, it certainly would.