COMMUNICATING SIGNALS

16. Each car of a passenger train must be connected with the engine by a communicating signal appliance. When communicating signal appliance fails, conductor will arrange for hand signals to be given engineman approaching all stations and train will proceed to the first point where repairs can be made. Radio may be used in lieu of hand signals.

NOTE: The signals prescribed are illustrated by “o” for short sounds, “__” for longer sounds.

Sound	Indication
(a) o o	When standing – start.
(b) o o	When runing – stop at once.
(c) o o o	When standing – back.
(d) o o o	When running – stop at next station; where a train is required to flag stop between stations, it indicates stop at next flag stop for that train.
(e) o o o o	When standing – apply or release air brakes.
(f) o o o o	When running – reduce speed.
(g) o o o o o	When standing – recall flagmen.
(h) o o o o o	When running – increase speed.
(j) o o o o o o	When running – increase train heat.
(k) _____ _____	When running – release sticking brake; look back for hand signal.
(l) __________	Shut off train heat.
(m) o o __	When running – as prescribed by Rule 90.

Sound

Indication

(a) o o

When standing – start.

(b) o o

When runing – stop at once.

When standing – back.

(d) o o o

When running – stop at next station; where a train is required to flag stop between stations, it indicates stop at next flag stop for that train.

(e) o o o o

When standing – apply or release air brakes.

(f) o o o o

When running – reduce speed.

(g) o o o o o

When standing – recall flagmen.

(h) o o o o o

When running – increase speed.

(j) o o o o o o

When running – increase train heat.

(k) _____ _____

When running – release sticking brake; look back for hand signal.

(l) __________

Shut off train heat.

(m) o o __

When running – as prescribed by Rule 90.

In Memorial: Jim ‘Skid’ Robinson

Posted on December 21, 2025 by admin

It is with heavy hearts that all of us at the WRMRC wish to honour and say farewell to James ‘Jim’ Robinson, a cherished member of our club who passed away peacefully on 14 November 2025. Jim, who also affectionately went by the nickname ‘Skid’, was our club treasurer and also served in that capacity on the board with the Waterloo Railway Expo.

Skid aboard a caboose on the Waterloo Central Railway

Before moving in retirement to Waterloo, Jim was a longtime Sudbury resident and a former accountant with INCO, and he applied the same commitment and accuracy to our club as he gave on the job. A self-described ‘numbers nerd’, Skid was drawn to operations on our Sudbury Division layout, and studied the real-life CP Rail freight procedures manuals to apply them in miniature form. From this Jim helped to set up paperwork and stage trains before WRMRC operating sessions, and successfully learned the Sudbury Yardmaster position (no small feat).

Jim was also a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, and loved to share his adventures on the road which, when coupled to his zest for life, gave us stories that both entertained and lifted us all. But above all, Skid was a genuine people person—quick with a word of encouragement, endlessly patient, and always ready to lend a hand. He welcomed every member, or potential members at train shows, and made our club feel more like a family. We will miss his dedication, his generous spirit, and the spark in his eye when he spoke about his many experiences and tall tales.

We wish to extend our sympathy and commiseration to his family, and his many close friends. We honour Skid’s memory by supporting one another, and by keeping his stories and adventures alive.

Waterloo Region Model Railway Club

Modeling CP Rail's Sudbury Division in the 1970s

1962 Uniform Code of Operating Rules – Communicating Signals

COMMUNICATING SIGNALS

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In Memorial: Jim ‘Skid’ Robinson