GSR Rule Book - 1933

SHUNTING.

108. During shunting operations Drivers must work only to signals given by the Guard, Shunter or other person in charge, and a Driver must not move his train until he has received such a signal although the fixed signal masy have been lowered.

109. The person giving hand signals must do so in such a way as to avoid the signals being taken by any Driver other than the one for whom they are intended.

110. (a) Double shunting, i.e., the turning of some vehicles on to one line or siding and others on to another line or siding during one propellind movement, must only be carried out by experienced men.

When performind double shunting the men working the points must see that the points are in the correct position for the movement, and Guards, Shunters, Signalmen and others concerned must have a clear understanding as to the points to be moved.

(b) Vehicles must not be loose shunted, i.e., without remaining attached to the engine, into sidings or upon running lines, unless attended by a competent person prepared to apply the hand brakes, or sprags, as necessary.

Loose shunting of any vehicles, by engines, against loaded passenger vehicles, also loose shunting, by engines, of vehicles containing passengers or explosives is, however, stricly prohibited.

Loose shunting, by engines, of vehicles containing live stock should be avoided as far as possible, but may be adopted when absolutely necessary, provided the brake is in good order, and the Guard or Shunter controls the movement.

Loose shunting of vehicles into loading docks, stages, warehouse platforms, &c., is prohibited, unless the brakes can be applied without risk of injusry to the men operating them.

(c) The movement of vehicles by means of a prop or pole, or by towing with a ropes of chain attached to an engine of vehicle moving on an adjacent line, is prohibited, except where specially authorised by the Traffic Manager.

111. (a) Guards, Shunters and others engaged in shunting operations MUST SATISFY THEMSELVES that--

(i.) Trains or vehicles are clear of all points that require to be reversed.

(ii.) Vehicles placed in sidings are properly secured to prevent them from moving, fouling other liens, being blown out, or otherwise escaping on to a running line.

(iii.) After the operations are completed, trains or vehicles are left clear of any running lines and within trap points, derailers, or scotch blocks; that points not worked from a signal box are in their normal position; that scotch blocks, where provided, are placed across the rails; and that no vehicle is left inadvertently upon any running line.<//p>

(iv.) Where the movement is over hand points, that all points which become facing points are in the correct position.

(v.) During frost or snow when there is a likelihood of points being prevented from closing, that all points which become facing points are properly closed before shunting movements are made over them.

(b) Where the movement is over poitns worked, bolted or locked from a signal box or ground frame, and a fixed signal is not provided for the movement, the Guard, Shunter or other person in charge must have an intimation verbally, or by hand signal or other authorised means, from the Signalman or person working the ground frame that the movement may be made, and must, as far as possible, see that the points are in their correct position before giving a signal to the Driver to move.

(c) When an engine is unaccompanied by a Guard or Shunter, the Driver must carry out the provisions of clauses (a) and (b) of this Rule. He must also see that his train is clear after it has been set back into a refuge siding, through a crossover road or in any other similar case where the engine is near the points and there is not a Guard or Shunter present.

(d) Before any vehicle is shunted into a siding, the Guard, Shunter or other person in charge must ascertain the position of any vehicles in the siding, and signal the Driver accordingly so as to avoid undue impact with such vehicles or the buffer-stops.

(e) Vehicles standing in sidings must be properly secured and left sufficiently clear of the fouling points of any adjoining sidings or lines, to admit of anyone engaged in shunting operations passing safely between such vehicles and any vehicles that may be standing or are being shunted on adjoining sidings or lines.

112. (a) Before vehicles are moved in, or shunted into, a siding used ofr repairing vehicles or for loading or unloading traffic, or a goods shed or other building where vehicles are already standing, Guards, Shunters, and others concerned must warn any employees or other persons who may be engaged in, about, or between the vehicles; they must also request persons who may be loading or unloading not to remain in, or near to, vehicles which are likely to be moved by shunting operations, and must satisfy themselves that no road vehicles or animal is foul of any of the lines on which shunting operations are about to be performed.

(b) Care must be taken to see that goods shed doors are open and all is clear before commencing shunting operations on shed lines, and that all doors of vehicles are properly secured by the fastenings provided for the purpose or are in such a position as will ensure that they will not come into contact with any obstruction when they are moved, care being also taken that the contents are not left in such a condition as would result in their falling from a vehicle when being moved.

113. Vehicles loaded with long timever or other long articles secured by chains or ropes and stanchions upon more than two wagons must not be sunted when a passenger train is pasing or signalled to approach if the line on which the passenger train travels would be at all likely to become fouled should the wagons leave the rails. Guards, Shunters, Signalmen and others concerned must come to a proper understanding when necessary to stop the shunting of such vehicles.

114. (a) When vehicles are detached and left on any running line the Signalman must be at once informed in order that he may keep the necessary signals at Danger and take the proper steps for securing safety. Detached vhicles must be properly secured to prevent them moving, and at night and during fog or falling show a red light must be shown at the rear of the vehicles, or, where necessary, at both front and rear, until thy are placed in a siding or otherwise disposed of.

(b) The person in charge of the shunting must see that the necessary red light or lights are shown, and the Station Master must see that this is clearly understood by the men concerned. The Signalman must keep a good look-out and if he see any vehicle has been detached from a train and left on any running line, he must take the necessary steps to protect it.

(c) When it is necessary for a train or vehicle to be placed outside a home isgnal this must not be done without the Signalman's permission, and, unless specially authorised, a train or vehicle must not be placed outside a home signal where the line is on a falling gradient towards the signal box in rear.

115. (a) Vehicles must not be moved unless the doors are properly closed and fastened, except as provided in clause (b) of Rule 112.

(b) When vehicles have to be shunted into sidings on a rising gradient, the vehicles to be moved at one shunt must be limited to such a number as the engine can propel without travelling at excessive speed.

(c) When shunting at places on inclines van-brakes must be screwed down tightly, in addition to which sufficient hand-brakes must be securely applied, and sprags or hand-scotches used when necessary, to avoid the possibility of the train or any of the vehicles running down the incline. At such places sprags and hand-scotches must be kept ready for the purpose.

116. (a) Vehicles must, when practicable, be attached to or detached from a passenger train without the train being moved.

(b) When vehicles are being moved by an engine for the purpose of being attached to, or detached from, a passenger train, the brake pipes, where provided, must be connected so that the continuous brake may be available during the operation.

Whenever it is necessary at stations where absolute block working is in force for an engine to be brought to the rear of a train for the purpose of attaching or detaching vehicles, or removing from the secion vehicles which have been detached from a train which has gone forward, the operation must only be carried out after the Driver has been clearly verbally instructed by the person in charge what movement is to be made.

The Driver may, if necessary, be instructed to pass a signal at Danger for the purpose shown above.

(a) Before any vehicle containing passengers is moved over poitns, the person in charge of the operation must ascertain that the points are securely set, and that the line is clear and properly protected.

117. The standard code of audible signals by means of bell, gong, horn, whistle, or other appliance used for signalling to Drivers engaged in shunting operations is as follows :--

Signal.	Indicates.
One . . . . . .	Go ahead.
Two . . . . . .	Set back.
Three . . . . .	Stop.
Four. . . . . .	Ease couplings.

118. Staff riding on engines or vehicles, or when on the ground alongside vehicles, at converging points in sidings must take special care that there is sufficient clearance for their safety.