1962 Uniform Code of Operating Rules – Hand Signals

12. HAND (including flag and lamp) SIGNALS

Indication Manner of Using
(a) Stop Swung at right angle to track.
(b) Reduce Speed Held horizontally at arm’s length.
(c) Proceed Raised and lowered vertically.
(d) Back Swung vertically in a circle at right angles to the track.
(f) Apply Air Brakes (when standing) Raised and swung horizontally above the head.
(g) Release Air Brakes (when standing) Raised and held at arm’s length above the head.
(h) any object wave violently by any one on or near the track is a signal to stop.

Signals must be given from a point where they can be plainly seen and in such a manner that they cannot be misunderstood. If there is doubt as to the meaning of a signal, or for whom it is intended, it must be regarded as a stop signal.

When switching is being performed, either in road or yard operation, signals should be given, or relayed directly to the engineman. Conductors and yard foremen are responsible for seeing the the work is so organized and that trainmen and yardmen are in proper position to give or relay such signals accordingly.

When cars are being pushed by an engine under control of hand signals, the disappearance from view of the member of the crew or lights by which signals controlling the movement are being given must be regarded as a stop signal.

In the event of failure of radio equipment, or communication is interrupted during switching operations, the movement must be stopped at once and no further movement made, except as authorized by hand signals or until radio communication restored.

Crews of trains or engines clear of main track must not give a proceed signal to an approaching train or engine.

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Layout Update and 2026 Doubleheaders Tour

It’s that time of year again, our layout will be open to the public this coming Saturday, 28 March 2026, in participation with the annual Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge-Guelph and area layout tour, organized by the Doubleheaders Model Railway Club. This is a self-guided tour of a large number of club and private home layouts in the area.

If you are new to the Doubleheaders tour there are approximately 20 different layouts you can visit, varying from modular displays, large club setups to small N-scale pikes. You can see everything from tinplate trains to scratch-built prototype models. However the layouts are spread over a large area, and that makes it difficult to see them all in a day. So you should prepare for a full day of layout touring, and also maybe consider making this an annual, or at least semi-annual event to frequent over the years.

Please note; some layout are open until 9PM, however the CP Sudbury Division closes early at 5PM. If you are taking this year’s tour, please plan accordingly.

As usual we’ve been working on an number of layout projects over the winter in anticipation of the tour, at least as best as this year’s weather would permit. To start, we’ve completed the base scenery at our INCO – Crean Hill mine scene (photo above). If anything says ‘CP Rail in Sudbury’, it’s nickel ore trains; and not only do we have a large fleet of appropriate ore gons in service, but we now have a nicely sceniced mine for them to operate in. Well, as nice as an industrialized hole in the ground can look.

We also have a lot more carpentry happening upstairs as our layout expands to the second floor. The above photo shows what we’ve named the Verner helix, though like many of our helices it is actually connecting many different sections of the layout together. If you want the details, you’ll need to visit us and ask one of our friendly club members to find out. You will also see the new rails being laid at Levack, the benchwork at Sturgeon Falls along with the associated trackage at the Abitibi Paper mill located there, and much more.

Of course the feature attraction is seeing the fully operational portions of our CP Sudbury Division layout in action, with long sound-equipped freights running smoothly under DCC control. This is your chance to interact with us; to swap stories, exchange ideas, share techniques, and to celebrate the art of railway modelling, because that is always the best part of the world’s greatest hobby.

Hope to see you on the tour.

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