A “track car” is any light self-propelled vehicle, usually operated in MW service. Gone are the tiny Fairmont “speeders” and vehicles without shelter from the elements. A rubber-tired hi-rail Conrail hydraulic crane waits for a favorable signal on the New Jersey Division.
	HO scale models of temporary speed restriction signs, usually used around work sites along the right of way. NORAC governs the use of these signs as well.
	A comparison of the prototype NORAC rules and the scaled down version that Matt re-wrote for use on his model railroad.
	A sample of NORAC signal indications and their meanings.
	Instructions regarding the handling of hazmat cars, and how to recognize certain hazardous placards.
	Hazmat cars are marked with hazardous placards, and get red stripes on the waybill. Rules for handling hazardous cars are followed as closely as possible.
	A close-up of a hazardous placard on an HO scale tank car.
	An example of a train movement along normal track conditions between CP PD and CP PN.
	An example of a Form D instruction to Foreman Snell, taking Track 2 out of service between CP Townley and Cranford.
	An example of a Form D instruction to a track car crew, conveying special instructions for the work site between Townley and Cranford.
	Bachmann Spectrum has released this powered Plasser American ballast regulator, which would look good on any modern model railroad. Because it is motorized, you could move this piece around and make it part of an operating session on your model railroad.
	Custom Finishing produces unpainted white metal kits of various pieces of MOW equipment, like this switch tamper with laser alignment buggy. While a static model, this particular piece of equipment (#7912) could be manually placed on a track and made part of a normal operating session.
	These HO scale blue flags clip onto the railhead and create visible markers for the crews to follow. Blue warning signs like these are available from NJ International in HO and O scale. Equipment or tracks tagged with a blue flag are considered off limits to all until the signal is removed.
	An example of a blue flag as attached to one of the yard panels to let the crews know that a certain track is off-limits or out of service.
	The red pieces are “blocking devices,” and prevent the dispatcher from temporarily throwing a locked out or otherwise occupied switch.

By M. R. Snell/Photos by the Author

The rules developed by the Northeast Operating Rules Advisory Committee (NORAC) are the standard for railroad operating rules in the northeast and has been employed by Conrail, Amtrak, NJ Transit, and the Susquehanna (NYS&W), all of which are operating railroads on my layout. When it came to developing an operating plan for my HO scale Conrail New Jersey Division, the NORAC rulebook was a natural starting point then. NORAC rules govern everything that happens across the railroad from signals to train protection to broken crossing gates.

We all want realistic operation for our model railroads, but how many of us have picked up the railroad rulebook and thumbed through it just to put it back down and simply stare at this one-inch-thick book. I used to do the same thing until I got interested in realistic operation. Being a railfan, and wanting a model railroad which operated just as the prototype, I began to force my way through the NORAC rule book. And then I would put down the book again and stare at it…

A realization struck me one afternoon… NORAC rules were filled with things that wouldn't apply to a model railroad - things such as air brakes and cab signals. It was at this point that I began writing rather than reading. Taking the span of a week (faster if I could type well), I rewrote the NORAC rules eliminating all the situations that wouldn't apply to my railroad. I also added a few specific rules regarding grade crossing signals. When I was done, I had a document that represented the traffic control situations I was looking for, only scaled down for a model railroader’s needs.

Although some of the "older heads" have shown some resistance and some have said, “NORAC is too complex” or, “a lot to learn,” it really isn't as long as you keep an open mind. It's really just common sense, and seems a lot easier to understand than traditional timetable and train order operations. I'll cover the most important points here.

The Rulebook begins with a glossary of terms and common abbreviations. This section has proven invaluable for operators who aren't all that familiar with actual railroad operations. All the terms used in the rules are defined here.

A brief section follows the glossary and covers general rules which are really more common sense than anything else. This is followed with a section covering Reporting for Duty, Bulletin Orders, and the required equipment my operators should have when they are running trains, such as radios and uncoupling tools.

Blue Signals
Now we get into the meaty part: Rule 16 - Blue Signals. This is also known as "blue flagging.” Rule 16a states that "Once a Blue Signal has been displayed the following restrictions apply: 1. The equipment must not be moved or coupled to. 2. Equipment must not pass a displayed Blue signal." Generally on the prototype this rule is employed by mechanical forces (car knockers) to insure their safety while working around the equipment in shops and yards. Well on a model railroad we don't have HO scale car men running about, but I have found that this is an invaluable tool in yard operations. As you can imagine there are multiple operators running into and out of the yards. Using Rule 16 we have blue tags which can be applied to toggle switches as well as small blue signs which can be applied to the track. Now if the yardmaster doesn't want something moved intentionally or accidentally, they simply blue flag it. This works especially well with locomotives left standing on tracks within the yard, running, or receiving tracks. It also alerts the yardmaster that they have left equipment standing on a track even if they cannot readily see the equipment, or if a train is not ready to depart for whatever reason. Once a blue signal is applied it may only be removed by the person who placed it there-- except on my railroad it may get placed there by a yardmaster who isn't there at the next session when it needs to come off. To remedy that situation, we have simplified the rule to apply to "the same craft."

Onward from the Blue Signal there is a section that covers use of the engine horn and bell, as well as the inspection of trains for defects.

Moving Trains
The next major section covers the "Movement of Trains." Several of these rules have proved helpful and saved us from catastrophe here and there. Rule 104b requires "hand operated switches are to be secured in a normal position when not in use." To take it a step further, train crews report via radio to the dispatcher that "all switches are lined and locked normal." While they are making their report they also double check to see that they actually did it and that the next hotshot pounding down the line won't end up taking an unscheduled left turn into a short siding.

Train Protection
The next group of rules covers the "Protection of Trains," and we have found this entire section helpful when taking a track out of service due to necessity or to add operational interest. This section addresses the procedures for taking track out of service, as well as movements within the out of service limits (for MOW movement). Instructions for restoring the track are here as well, and these can prove necessary after a repair in the course of a session as speed restrictions can be issued to crews operating over the restored track. The section concludes with Rule 138 covering highway crossing warning protection. On the railroad all our highway crossings are equipped with gates or flashers and manual cutouts for these. This section was adapted to our model railroad by adding information regarding these appliances.

Form Ds
Then we come to the essential piece of operating information under NORAC: Movement Permit Form D! We’ve all heard these Form D transmissions over the radio while railfanning our favorite lines. While older operating systems applied a system of "train orders" over several different forms, the Form D has rolled all these instructions into one. The Form D has become a general purpose form for everything from movement against the current of traffic, signal malfunction, broken crossing gates, removing tracks from service, and handling stalled trains. This also minimizes the risk that a train crew will be unaware of a situation that will affect train movements. The time required to fill out a Form D is considerably less than traditional train orders, as you will see in the illustration. This also minimizes the paperwork required for the Dispatchers and crews.

This section, consisting of rules 160-177, covers the issuance and cancellation of a Form D. The way it works is actually pretty simple. The crews will use a preprinted Form D to record instructions. The dispatcher will read instructions to the train crew consisting of the party the Form is addressed to, circling certain instruction lines on the Form D, and filling in specific track and location information. Then they read the complete order back to the dispatcher. Once it is repeated correctly the Form D is given a "Time Effective." It stays in effect until it is annulled or fulfilled (in the case of a movement).

Form D Example
Form D No. C101; Sept 3, 2003; To C and E Conrail 4100 at PD; Circle Line 2, Operate in north direction on Chemical Coast Secondary between PD and PN; Dipatcher DLB.

Signaling
The next major section which applies to model railroads is the "General Signal Rules." If you've ever leafed through a timetable and have seen the terms “Rule 251,” or “Rule 261,” these are defined here. A simple explanation for Rule 251 is “track signaled in one direction;” Rule 261 is “track signaled in both directions” (these are the signal rules referred to in the Employee Timetable). Also in this section are diagrams of the signals, showing the aspects, names, and indications. A signal aspect is what the signal actually displays, and a signal indication is what the signal aspect tells you to do. For example, you are approaching a flashing-yellow-over-red signal--that is the “aspect.” The name of the signal is “Advance Approach.” The indication is "proceed prepared to stop at the second signal." This has been a source of confusion for a lot of modelers, but when it’s broken down this way the signals actually become really easy to understand.

As model signal systems vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and are dependent on the specific application, these signal aspects can be scaled down and tailored to your specific situation by adding a notation such as "conveys diverging route." Some systems show a red-over-yellow or green to take a diverging route. Modern prototype signals generally convey speed control, rather than show route information, but this still works in our model world.

Taking a model red-over-yellow would show a diverging route and convey “stop at the next signal.” In NORAC, this is a restricting signal, indicating "proceed at restricted speed until the entire train has passed a more favorable signal." In the case of red-over-green this would show taking a diverging route and that the route is clear. In NORAC this is a “slow clear,” indicating "proceed at slow speed until the entire train clears interlocking and then proceed at normal speed." These aspects can be applied to a model railroad scenario without much modification.

This section on signals also covers movable signs commonly used by MOW forces, temporary speed signs, and passing stop signals. We've condensed it down to show only the signals and signs which are on use on the railroad and further condensed it to show only the signal aspects which are in use on the railroad.

So what about that unsignaled branch line? Rules 400 through 405 cover that in DCS (Dispatcher Control System) Rules, using the same Form D which we covered earlier. DCS Rules cover unsignaled territory and Rule 406 covers what to do when the signal system breaks down; again using that same Form D (Line 6). In the event of a major signal failure when multiple trains are running this can become an excellent way to keep things moving without operators worrying about cornfield meets.

What exactly are ABS and interlockings? Well ABS stands for “Automatic Block Signal” and an interlocking is a physical track structure in which appliances are such that signals cannot be simultaneously displayed on conflicting routes. Rules 500 through 615 address those issues, including entering a block between signals (as from a yard) and movement against the current of traffic in Rule 251 territory, as well as define an interlocking and the related movements within the plant.

Using the Radios
Section 700 explains proper "radio protocol" and use of radio equipment. For anyone who has ever listened to railroad communications, they know there's a lot less in practice than on paper. Generally radio transmissions will include the railroad name and equipment or title; and location. Transmissions are ended with “over” or “out.” It is commonly accepted that “out” indicates the end of the conversation.

Radio Examples
"Conrail 4101 at NK calling the Lehigh Line Dispatcher, over."
"Conrail Foreman Smith at Bayway calling the Branchline Dispatcher, over."
"Conrail Lehigh Line Dispatcher to the ALOI, over."

Moving Track Cars
Section 800 applies to the "Movement of Track Cars." While many people think of a track car as a tiny Fairmont speeder, self propelled MOW vehicles, such as tampers or hi-railers also fall into this category. Bachmann Spectrum recently released a model of a Fairmont speeder, flatcar, and manual crane which would work for steam era and early diesel themed layouts. Bachmann has always had a sort-of hi-rail pick-up truck and hi-rail step van in their catalog, but they are not exactly accurate portrayals. I have a feeling that we'll be seeing more accurate, powered track-car type vehicles in the future. In the arena of unpowered equipment, several manufacturers (like Custom Finishing) make very nice static MOW equipment kits such as tie inserters, spike pullers, tampers, and so on. For operational interest, get a Bachmann Spectrum powered ballast regulator and have your Dispatcher make you work under Track Car rules--complete with Form Ds and add-ons as you reach the limits they originally authorized you to proceed. More on MOW operations will be covered in a future article.

Section 900 deals specifically with the duties of each craft - Dispatchers, Operators (as in Tower Operator), Train and Engine (T and E) Service, Yardmasters, and Foremen and Track Car Drivers.

Moving Hazardous Materials
The final section of the Timetable is the Hazardous Materials (“Hazmat”) Rules. This is a simple chart showing the proper placement of a placarded car in a train. A good rule of thumb we use is simply NEVER place a hazardous car next to an occupied locomotive or caboose (or at least don't get caught). Train crews are made aware of hazmat cars by placards on the cars themselves, as well as being denoted by the red stripe on the waybill card and the notation in the commodity section of the waybill card. This also has proved to add operational interest, while ensuring that the crews are actually looking at their train and paperwork. More than once a yardmaster has had to re-block a train because the placarded tanks were in the wrong position!

Coming Up…
In our next installment we'll take a look at how the dispatchers pull it all together and the people that make it work.

About the Author
Matt Snell , 37, was born and raised in northern New Jersey, which became the basis for his HO scale Conrail New Jersey Division. Matt is a dockworker currently residing in Milford, Ohio. Matt also writes for the Conrail Historical Society newsmagazine and will soon appear in Railmodel Journal. His HO scale Conrail New Jersey Division has been featured in Great Model Railroads 2006, and will be featured in an upcoming video from Allen Keller. Matt has been a model railroader and a railfan since age 12 and is currently married, "with goldfish and trains."