1126
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
No. 31

WORKING TRAFFIC OF A DOUBLE LINE BY PILOTMAN OVER A SINGLE LINE OF RAILS DURING REPAIRS OR OBSTRUCTION.

279. When it is necessary, during repairs or owing to Obstruction, to work the traffic of a Double Line in both directions over a Single Line, the following precautions must be adopted :—

(a.) Single Line Working should be confined to points at which there are Fixed Signals with a Cross-over Road, and at all times to the shortest length possible; but in the event of a Cross-over Road not protected by Fixed Signals being used for Single Line Working, a competent man, with the necessary Signals, must be placed at least three-quarters of a mile beyond the Cross-over Road to signal in place of the Distant Signal, and another man (similarly provided) at the points to signal in place of the Home Signal. Should the distance of three-quarters of a mile fall within a Tunnel, or close to the mouth of a Tunnel nearest to the Obstruction, or in any other position where, owing to the formation of the Line or to some other circumstance, the Engine-driver of an approaching Train would be unable to obtain a good and distant view of the Signal, then the Signal must be exhibited at the end of the Tunnel farthest from the Cross-over Road, or at such a distance over and above the prescribed distance of three-quarters of a mile as may be necessary to insure the Engine-driver obtaining a good and distant view of such Signal.

(b.) If Telegraph or Telephone communication is available, the Stationmasters or other responsible Officials at both ends of the Obstructed Section must communicate with each other by Telegraph or Telephone, and agree as to who shall arrange for Pilot-working.

(c.) It will generally be found most expeditious for the Stationmaster or other responsible Official in advance of the Obstruction to undertake the arrangements, as he will have the proper Running Line clear on which the Pilotman with the Forms can make his first journey by Train or Velocipede, if either is available. Under no circumstances must a Train or Velocipede be allowed to run over the Single Line in the wrong direction until the Pilotman holds upon his Form the signatures of the Signalman at each end of the Single Line Section, and also at any intermediate Signal-box.

(d.) A competent person must be appointed as Pilotman, who must wear, round his left arm above the elbow, a distinctive Badge. The distinctive Badge must be a Red Armlet with the word “Pilotman” shown thereon in white letters, thus :—

[Image: A rectangular badge with the word “PILOTMAN” in bold capital letters, flanked by two horizontal bars on each side.]

Until the regular Badge can be obtained the Pilotman must wear a Red Flag tied round his left arm.

(e.) A sufficient number of the Forms (see Specimen Form Rule No. 287 following) provided for the purpose of establishing Single Line Working must be filled up and signed by the Stationmaster or person arranging the Single Line Working. One of these, signed by the Pilotman, he must deliver, in the presence of the Pilotman, to the Signalman in charge of the Cross-over Road at which the Single Line Working commences; one, signed by the Signalman, must be handed to the Pilotman, who must also sign it, and the remainder must be conveyed by the Pilotman to the other end of the Section which has to be worked as a Single Line. On his way the Pilotman must verbally inform Crossing-keepers, Surfacemen, and any other men at work on the Line, that Single Line Working is about to be commenced, and which Line will be used; he must also leave a copy of the Form (signed by himself) with the person in charge of any intermediate Signal-box or Station then open between the points between which Single Line Working is about to be put into operation, and each of such persons must sign the Form held by the Pilotman. On his arrival at the other end of the Single Line Section the Pilotman must deliver a copy (signed by himself) to the Stationmaster or person in charge, and another (also signed by himself) to the Signalman on duty, each of whom must also sign the Form held by the Pilotman. Trains may then be allowed to pass to and fro on the Single Line by the permission and under the control of the Pilotman as under :—

(f.) When a Stationmaster himself acts as Pilotman he must also address and give a copy of the Form to the person he leaves in charge of his Station.

Should any intermediate Signal-box or Station be opened after Single Line Working has commenced, the Pilotman must, as soon as practicable, advise the person in charge of such Signal-box or Station that Single Line Working is in operation, and obtain his signature on the Form in the usual way. He must also hand to the Signalman or Stationmaster a copy of the Single Line Working Form.