Uniform Code of Operating Rules

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I know that many of you folks are MRR “Operators”; operations being one of your favorite aspects of the hobby. Since I got back into MR about 5 years ago I’ve slowly learned more about the prototype and have become increasingly interested in operations.

Recently I was thinking about some of the advantages of sound in MR, especially as relates to operation. I started looking for a definition of whistle and horn signals (The March issue of MR has a short list in the Information Desk column.) Then I remembered an article by Tony Koester that had a brief reference to (and picture of) the book of Uniform Code of Operating Rules(UCOR).

So then I wanted a copy of such a book. [:p]

We’ll, of course, they are available on eBay and for as little as $1.00, more or less) plus shipping ($2-$3 is reasonable.) So I bought a few (4 - I don’t know why.[8)])

Anyway as some of you already know the UCOR contains all the essential rules for running a railroad (packed into 140 pages) from employee conduct and the duties of conductors, engineers and various staff to definitions of “Superiority of trains”. Also signals of all kinds, handling of switches, movement of trains, movement by Train Orders, the forms of each Train Order, ABS rules and CTC rules and definitions (One of my books was used by a “pilot” - “Pilot” is defined in the book too.)

Anyway I thought that some of you might be interested in the UCOR and you can probably find one published specifically for your prototype and time period.

Have fun,

2

The General Code of Operating Rules and the Uniform Code of Operating Rules were used by specific railroads during specific years, if I’m not mistaken. Other railroads had their own variations in their Rules for the Operating Department, usually referred to as a rulebook.

Even within the same railroad, operating rules could change over the course of years. So to get the best feel for what was going on, it’s a good idea to look for a rulebook from your prototype of interest for approximately the year you’re interested in modeling. Rulebooks are up for auction on e-bay all the time.

-Ed

3

The GCOR is full of cool stuff, though I’m not sure how much of it is really applicable to model railroads. I downloaded a copy and printed it (it took forever). Almost every railroad that operates west of the Mississippi subscribes to it. I’m not sure what CN, NS and CSX use, but it can’t be too far different.

4

You can find them on the internet also at:

http://www.sdrm.org/faqs/rulebook/toc.html

Ron

5

Hi all
Each railway has a book of rules a general apendix to the book of rules and
working timetables.
If you are going to get real serious about operations you would need all three
suitably condenced and abreviated to suit your own model and from the correct railway ie the same as your railway.
Some things will need to Be forgoten about because although the real one can do it it may not be practical on a model.
regards John