These are great discussions and continues to feed my “warped passion” for trying to understand the rules that were in place at the time.
I would agree that on the Salida Division, as a special instruction, this is the required rule for that territory, but I can’t find a similar rule in my RGS Timetable No. 4 (June 11, 1939) which I believe would have been in effect at that time. RGS Timetable No. 5 (February 14, 1943) also shows no reference regarding this. With that said, this is possibly a good reason to be back there on a descending grade, as long as he hangs on. I would think that there isn’t anything (sliding wheels, hot box, etc.) on this short train that could not also be seen from the safety of the caboose. Also, neither the 1939 or 1943 timetables list anything for track beyond Telluride to Pandora.
Yard Limits – Rule 93 in those days was pretty vague, but I believe was still considered a form of main track authority, requiring protection against first class trains, and prepared to stop short within those limits against all others. The 1939 RGS Timetable has no special instructions regarding…well anything, let alone the location of yard limits. In those days, all they had to do was place signs, but didn’t have to be specific in the timetable or special instructions regarding specific location of those limits. It does however, show that first class trains operate from Vance Jct. to Telluride (District 1-A), so flagging (Rule 99) would be required (against those trains), even if the entire branch was considered yard limits. The 1943 Timetable indicates that Vance Jct. is a “Yard Limit Station”, but again, does not address what the limits are. It also shows that District 1-A as an “auxiliary line”, but I can’t find any reference in the rule book or timetable as to what that is.
Markers – The 1924 DRGW Rule Book (in effect at the time) addresses markers with the assumption that there is a caboose on all freight trains (at the rear) and only address a light on a freight car at night when being shoved. I can find nothing regarding a freight car only on the trailing end of a train or any requirements regarding the placement of a caboose or the required location or positioning of a flagman. I guess it can be assumed that a marker would have to be placed on both sides of the freight car for day operations (Rule 19), but not sure where they would hang them?
All good stuff to discuss and ponder!
