General Rules for Members, Guests and Visitors
1. Safety is of first importance and obedience to the rules is essential to safety.
2. Intoxicated persons will not be allowed on Iowa Model Steam Engineers Inc. right of way.
3. Visitors and guests shall stay within the confines of the picnic, parking, concession, and station area. They shall not walk over bridges or on track.
4. In case of emergency, passengers on trains shall be guided by Model Steam Engineers
5. Inc. members.
6. Iowa Model Steam Engineers Inc. reserves the right to deny rides to anyone.
7. Children are welcome but must be accompanied by parents or supervisors and remain under their control. Do not allow children to touch or play with the train equipment. Unruly or undisciplined behavior will not be tolerated and the offender(s) will be ask to leave.
8. No running on the Iowa Model Steam Engineers Inc. right of way except in emergency.
9. Preschool children will not be allowed on trains unless accompanied by a responsible person.
10. No babes-in-arms or pets allowed on trains.
11. Expectant Mothers may not ride the train.
12. All pets on the Iowa Model Steam Engineers Inc. right of way must be on leash. Pet owners are expected to clean up after their animals.
13. The use of cameras is prohibited on moving trains carrying the general public. Special permission may be given by the Iowa Model Steam Engineers Inc. to organize a photo special.
14. No smoking, eating or drinking allowed on passenger carrying cars.
15. Passengers shall not get on or off moving trains.
16. At stations or when stopped, passengers will follow directions of Engineer or Conductor.
17. Passengers shall remain seated and facing forward on trains at all times.
18. Passengers shall not lean or reach out for anything while trains are moving.
19. Passengers must keep arms and legs within cars as much as practical.
20. Members, guests or visitors who do not abide by these rules or instructions from members of the Iowa Model Steam Engineers Inc. will be asked to leave the right of way
21. There is no pushing or riding of train cars around the Iowa Model Steam Engineers Inc. Track that are not coupled to an operating locomotive. Except in the switch yards and the loading track.
22. Passengers riding trains must have proper shoes on. No bare foot riding.
SAFETY FIRST!
TRAIN OPERATING RULES
1. Safety is of first importance and obedience to the rules is essential to safety.
2. There must be one regular member and one other adult at the Iowa Model Steam Engineers Inc. right of way before operating power equipment or trains.
3. During regular run or special run days, train operating authority may be given by a Station Master to the engineer before a train is operated on the main line.
4. The owner of a locomotive or cars will have the final say on who shall operate or ride his/her equipment. Engineers are responsible for property damage and personal injuries caused by the collision with another train.
5. Train speeds are the responsibility of the engineer. They must be kept to a safe and reasonable speed allowing the engineer to stop and control the train especially in accordance with rule 4 and 14 (no more than 8 actual m.p.h. is recommended). All members are responsible for enforcing the speed rule when a violation is observed. Speed on bridges trestles and tunnels, on blind curves without signals, through stations and yard limits - 3 mph (walking speed).
6. Trains must be operated by or in control of a qualified engineer.
7. Any unqualified engineer (adult or minor) shall not operate trains unless accompanied by a qualified engineer. The qualified engineer must be on the first seat available behind the trainee. No public passengers (non-members of Iowa Model Steam Engineers Inc.) allowed on trainee trips.
8. Each 7 1/2" gauge train shall have a qualified conductor on the rear car when carrying public (non-members of Iowa Model Steam Engineers Inc.) if more than one passenger car is used, except if special permission is granted by the Run Superintendent.
9. Between sunset and sunrise, trains will operate with white headlight on front of locomotive and a red marker light on back of rear car.
10. Trains must clear the main line for all service, loading and unloading of passengers. For all repairs the train must be moved to the yard.
11. Back-up movements must be made under flag protection of at least 50 feet, except within yard limits.
12. When two or more trains are operating in the same direction, a 50 foot interval must be maintained, except when closing at stations, junctions, yard limits or under flag protection.
13. It is the responsibility of the engineer to align switches into the yard or onto the main line.
14. Elevated track engineers must control their locomotives from a trailing car.
15. A single work train can operate without a conductor on work days.
16. Excessive axle loading as determined by the Run Superintendent that will damage track is prohibited on the Iowa Model Steam Engineers Inc. Railroad.
17. Engines or cars which drip oil or water on rails excessively are prohibited until corrected.
18. No remote controlled trains are allowed and no train running without an engineer on board is allowed.
19. Trains and locomotives may operate within Yard Limits without flag protection. They must be prepared to stop short of trains or obstructions.
20. A Conductor is required on all trains with passengers on cars more than the immediate car behind the engineer.
BOILER AND MECHANICAL RULES
1. All new, repaired, or modified boilers shall be hydrostatically tested to a pressure of not less than 200% of the operating pressure before being put in operation, and shall be retested every 24 months of operation to 150% of operating pressure.
2. Boilers shall show no bulging or displacement of sheets, firebox, barrel or any pressure surface, and no serious leaks or sudden drop in pressure during hydrostatic test.
3. If the steam gauge range is sufficient, it shall be left in place and a record made of its accuracy at operating pressure. If the range is not high enough to stand the test pressure, it shall be removed and tested against the master gauge.
4. Safety valves shall open at and hold the pressure at not over 10% of the operating pressure, or they shall be replaced with valves capable of relieving the pressure. Owners shall supply boiler plugs or caps for the safety valves and any appurtenance they do not want test pressure to reach. They shall also supply a fitting for down or washout plug opening. It shall be threaded on one end to fit their boiler, and threaded for 1/8" or 1/4" N.P.T. male or female on the other end. This fitting is for the connection of the test equipment which will be available at the club track. The owners may conduct the test themselves, but it must be witnessed and recorded by the Boiler Inspector.
5. The Boiler Inspector shall fill out a certificate of the test that they witnessed or conducted. A copy shall be given to the owner and the
6. Members and visitors operating their steam locomotives at the Iowa Model Steam Engineers will be required to have a current boiler test certificate from the Iowa Model Steam Engineers or from a live-steam club which makes similar tests. If these requirements cannot be shown, a boiler test must be made.
7. Propane-fired locomotives must have safety chains or links between locomotive and trailing propane-carrying cars. Cars carrying propane must be adequately vented.
8. All 3 ½ “,4 ¾ “ and 7 ½ “ gauge Trains must be equipped with safety chains (one on each side of coupler and two on each coupled joint) between all cars, tenders and Locomotives. A pin and link joint between locomotive and Tender or cars or a coupled joint with one chain must be approved by a club officer at the track and/or the designated safety officer of the run.
9. All 4 3/4", 3 1/2 and 7 1/2" gauge locomotives must be equipped with effective brakes. Brakes may be actuated by hand, foot, steam, air, hydraulic, electric, or other means.
10. Coal burning locomotives must be equipped with an adequate ash pan.
11. Locomotives must be equipped with an effective whistle or horn.
12. All locomotives and cars must comply with the Iowa Model Steam Engineers coupler and wheel standards (BLS standards adopted in 1986).
APPOINTED OFFICERS AND DEFINITIONS
Appointed Officers [appointed by the president prier to each meet]
Run Superintendent - There will be one for each event and they will report to the president. They are the Chairperson on regular or special (e.g. public) run days and will coordinate personnel, including Station Master, Mechanical Inspector, Rules and Safety Inspector and Concession Manager.
Station Master - There will be one for each event if necessary. This member(s) will give main line train operating authority to engineers and conductors, control station area and arrange for sufficient conductors to operate trains. The Station Master will see that there are enough assistants to control trains and passengers, and load and unload passengers properly.
Mechanical Inspector - This person will report to the BOD. This Member(s) will see that the shop and steaming bay are maintained and are staffed with sufficient qualified members during run days and that locomotives and cars are mechanically safe.
Boiler Inspector - This person will report to the BOD. This Member(s) will inspect boilers of members' and visitors' locomotives as required by Boiler and Mechanical Rules.
Concession Manager - This person will report to the Treasurer and will manage the concessions as required to provide refreshments and memorabilia. He or she will see that there are sufficient people to serve on run days.
Rules and Safety Inspector - This person will report to the BOD. This Member(s) will patrol the property during run days to insure that the rules are observed, parking controlled, and property secured at night.
Notes:1) If the above appointed officers are unable to fulfill their assigned duties on regular or special run days, they must arrange for replacements. 2) Situations not covered in these rules will be decided by the Club President. 3) One person may hold more than one position.
Definitions
Qualified Engineer - This is a physically able person, who has read and understands the Train Operating Rules of the Iowa Model Steam Engineers. He or she must be familiar with the controls of the locomotive to be operated. This person must make not less than two (2) training trips operating the locomotive with a qualified engineer. They must be informed of grades, braking requirements, and walk the railroad line they will operate with a qualified engineer.
Qualified Conductor - This is a physically able adult who has read and understands the Train Operating Rules of the Iowa Model team Engineers. He or she will see that passengers are properly seated on the train, observe passengers and trains when moving, and protect rear of train.
Train - This is a locomotive, with or without cars.
Yard Limits – 25 feet before to 25 feet after switch entering and exiting sidings.
Operating Pressure - Pressure designated at which the safety valve should open.
The Board of Directors,