This is the CN Regina Terminal car control manual dated June 15, 1981. These manuals were issued to employees, and depict the CN track in the city of Regina, Saskatchewan. They include details on what customers were served by which pieces of track, and all tracks had a designation to allow CN to track rail car movements using their internal computer system.
This manual is presented for historical reference. Much of this track no longer exists or has changed significantly. The remainder of this post has text and images from the manual. Obvious spelling mistakes have been corrected but the original grammar remains. View more car control manuals
INTRODUCTION
CAR CONTROL MANUAL
The instructions contained herein are for the government of employees in any service connected with the movement of cars on the trackage covered in this manual. Such employees are required to have a copy available while on duty and be familiar with its contents.
Special instructions may be issued by proper authority as and when required.
This book is the property of the C.N. Railway and is loaned to: _____________________
who agrees to return it to the proper officer upon request or upon leaving the service.
General Superintendent Transportation, Prairie Region, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 15 June 1981
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE | |
Introduction | 1 |
Table of Contents | 2 |
Switch List Instructions | 3-13 |
Blank Sheet for Notes | 14 |
Schematic Regina Terminal | 15 |
ZONE MAPS AND CUSTOMER LISTINGS
ZONE IDENTIFICATION | |
“RA” | 16-17 |
“RB” | 18-20 |
“RC” | 21-22 |
“RF” | 23-24 |
“RG” | 25-26 |
“RH” | 27-28 |
“RJ” | 29-30 |
YARD FOREMAN INSTRUCTIONS
A. GENERAL
1. The Yard Foreman will receive two copies of each switch list.
(a) A hardback copy which must be completed and returned to the Car Control section.
(b) A paper copy which can be discarded after the switching has been performed.
2. Switch Lists will contain cars which must be handled. The lists will show where the cars are to be taken from and where they are to be placed at.
3. Each customer or yard track is assigned a ZONE, TRACK and SPOT number which is defined by the acronym “SPINS”.
(a) The ZONE is made up of two alphabetic characters.
(b) The TRACK number is always two positions numeric.
(c) The SPOT or spot range can be either numeric or alphabetic and may identify certain special switching instructions.
(i) Double alphabetic spot characters will identify Team Track Customers with the exception of any spot starting with character “X” which is used for special computer processing.
4. To assist in train makeup of outbound or through traffic, a three digit number is used to identify such traffic and is identified by the acronym “tag” number.
B. MARKING OF SWITCH LISTS BY THE FOREMAN
1. General
a. Cars not in the track
If a car appears on the switch list, but is not in the track indicated and cannot be found elsewhere, stroke that car off the list by putting a line through it.
b. Cars not moved as instructed
If a car is moved to a track other than the one shown on the switch list, or for some reason it is a “throw back” to the track it came out of:
(i) Cross out the track number where the car should have gone.
(ii) Write in the track number where the car was left, and the reason.
c. Repetitive Information
Where the same track number or the same place or pull times can be used against a list of cars:
(i) Check marks may be used for repetitive information, but should be distinct.
(ii) A vertical line may be used for repetitive information, but should be distinct.
(iii) DO NOT USE ditto marks (“).
d. Returning Switch Lists to Car Control System
(i) The marked hardback copy of switch lists must be returned to the Yardmaster.
(ii) Any switch lists prepared manually by the Yard Foreman and those supplied by Industries must also be forwarded to the Yardmaster or Car Control.
e. Identification on Switch Lists
The Yard Foreman must sign each switch list prior to returning it to the Yardmaster or Car Control Clerk.
B. MARKING OF SWITCH LISTS BY THE FOREMAN Con’t.
1. General – Con’t.
f. Maintaining Sequence of Yard Tracks
In order to provide switch lists of yard tracks in sequence listing, it will be necessary for the Foreman to advise the Car Control section of the order in which cars were handled.
(i) If the cars are switched from the opposite direction to that shown on the switch list, this should be noted on the lists.
(ii) If the track is switched in more than one cut, the cuts should be identified by drawing a line across the page and shown as “Cut 1”, “Cut 2”, etc.
(iii) If cars are thrown back on the original track or temporarily held out to facilitate the switching and it disrupts the sequence, the Car Control section must be notified of what happened.
g. Reporting Work Completed
In order for Car Control to keep up to date and be prepared to provide switch lists for other crews as soon as required, it will be necessary to report some moves upon their completion even though the Foreman records the track number on his switch list.
(i) The Foreman working within train yards will inform the Car Control section of what he has done, on completion of each list.
(ii) The Foreman bringing cars in from Industrial Zones to train yards will inform the Car Control section as to where the cars were left or what switching was performed with these cars.
(iii) The Foreman will indicate the reasons for not performing assigned switching on the appropriate car line of the switch list. i.e. Gates locked, Truck blocking track, Dirty car, etc.
(iv) The Foreman will record all exceptional switching performed in the Industrial Zones and will explain the moves to the Car Control Section when returning the switch lists.
B. MARKING OF SWITCH LISTS BY THE FOREMAN Con’t.
2. Train Yard Procedures
a. Switching Not Completed
If for any reason work assigned on the switch list cannot be completed:
(i) Draw a horizontal line after the last car handled.
(ii) Draw a bracket to cover the list of cars not handled and write “NOT HANDLED”.
(iii) If the cars not handled are left in a track other than the one shown on the switch list, show the new track number where cars were left.
b. Pattern Switching – Train Yard
(i) If the switching has been done according to the pattern of the specifically assigned tracks, just write the word “DONE”.
(ii) If the switching has not been done according to the regular Track pattern, show the track number where the cars were left.
3. Industrial Zone Procedures
a. Cars spotted for loading/unloading
(i) Show the time car was placed.
(ii) If the car was placed at a location other than that shown in the “Place At” field of the switch list:
(a) Draw a line through the SPINS where the car should have gone.
(b) Write in the new Track where the car was spotted.
b. Loads and Empties Pulled from Siding
(i) Show the time was pulled.
(ii) If the car was not brought to the train yard, show the SPINS where car was left.
B. MARKING OF SWITCH LISTS BY THE FOREMAN (Cont’d)
3. Industrial ZOne Procedures– cont’d
c. Cars Constructively Placed or Placed Off Spot
When a car is placed at a location other than that shown in the ‘Place at’ field on the switch list and the car can’t be loaded or unloaded at that location:
(i) Draw a line through the SPINS where the car should have gone.
(ii) Write in the new track (SPINS) where the car left.
(iii) Show the time placement attempt was made.
(iv) Give a short explanation of why the car could not be spotted, e.g. Gates locked, frozen switch, etc.
NOTE:
If the car was left ‘off spot’ on the track where it should have been left, disregard (i) and (ii) above; write the words ‘off spot’ and the reason.
d. Cars and Request Moves not Shown on Switch Lists
If a car is moved and it does not appear on the switch list, record the car moved either on the switch list supplied, or on a separate Form showing:
(i) Car Initials and Numbers.
(ii) Load/Empty status.
(iii) Track (SPINS) taken from.
(iv) Time Pulled/Placed.
(v) Track (SPINS) where placed.
This also applies to customer requests to move a car, which was placed for loading or unloading, to another ‘spot’ on the same track or to another ‘track’ within his plant.
E. SPECIAL HANDLING DESCRIPTION
CODE: | DESCRIPTION |
CAN | Reject Car – Either Unsuitable Contents or Cancelled |
CRP | Caution-Residual Phosphorus |
DAN | Dangerous |
DIM | Dimensional Load |
DLO | Dry Load Only (Empty Mechanical Refrigeration with Defective or Missing Refrigeration Unit) |
DNH | Do Not Hump |
FE | Front End Car (Next to Engine) |
H– | Heating, Venting, Icing Instructions |
HTR | Heater(s) in Empty Car |
ICF | Empty Ice Car – Full Stage |
ICH | Empty Ice Car – Half Stage |
KMR | Keep Mechanical Refrigeration Running |
LHV | High Value Load |
L—– | Livestock Last Loaded Data |
MIC | Messenger In Charge |
MRE | Mechanical Refrigeration |
PBC | Perishable in Box Cars |
PFG | Poison Gas Flammable |
PLT | Partially Loaded Tank Cars |
POG | Poison Gas |
P— | Pool Number |
RAM | Radio Active Material |
RE | Rear End Car (Handle Next to Caboose) |
REJ | Reject Car – Either Placed Wrong Location or Unfit for Loading |
SCH | Single Cut HUMP/SHOVE to Rest This Car and Following Car |
UOS | Unload From One Side |
V– | Venting Instructions |
WTB | Weight on Track and Bridges (Highweight) |
XPL | Explosive |
——- | May Also Contain Free Form Special Handling Instructions or Car Distribution Instructions. |
YARDMASTER’S INSTRUCTIONS
Switch List Requirements
A. DUTIES – YARD SWITCHING
1. The Yardmaster is responsible for ensuring lists are marked, identifying cuts and for the flow of information between the Yard Foreman and the Car Control clerk. All moves must be supported by a Yard switch list and any exceptions verbally reported to the Car Control clerk must be followed up by returning the marked lists.
2. The Yardmaster must keep the Car Control clerk informed at all times of all train and cut movements into and out of the yard area, using proper identities and track numbers.
3. The Yardmaster, after receiving the switch list, will mark each car with the appropriate classification track number, if required, and indicate where cuts, if any, are to be made. (If the Yard Foreman determines the cuts, such information must be relayed to the Yardmaster). The Yardmaster sends the first copy of the marked list back to the Car Control clerk.
4. The Yardmaster will furnish the Yard Foreman with two (2) copies of the marked switch list. Yard Foreman will respond or will be responsible for letting the Yardmaster know when he has completed each cut, informing the Yardmaster of any changes or corrections to the list.
5. The fourth copy, which is retained by the Yardmaster, will reflect in red pencil any changes. The Yardmaster, after marking the changes in pencil, will indicate on this list time switching was completed, sending list to the Car Control clerk, who will make necessary changes. When there are no exceptions, the Yardmaster will indicate on list “OK”, completed and time, sending list to the Car Control clerk.
6. At location where no Yardmaster is employed, the supervisor in charge of the Terminal is responsible for the proper operation of the Car Control System.
B. DUTIES – INDUSTRIAL SWITCHING
1. The industrial Yardmasters duties are very similar to those described for Yard Operation. Differences are as follows:
a. SPINS or TAG numbers are present, hence indication tracks where cars are to go is not necessary.
b. Because the engine assignment is usually known the Yardmaster only requires three copies, one for himself and two for the crew. A copy would have been retained by the Car Control clerk.
2. Review the completed switch lists with the Yard Foreman upon their return to ensure a complete understanding of work completed or left undone.
3. Return the completed original lists to the Car Control Clerk and review and explain work done etc.
C. YARD HANDLING CODE DESCRIPTION
CODE | DESCRIPTION |
A | Weigh this car after it has been spotted and released. |
B | Weigh this car both before spotting and after release from spot. |
C | Move this car to cleaning track now. |
D | Special weighing situation, stationary weigh, destination weigh, etc. When used, this value should be accompanied by a message defining the type of weighing to be done. |
E | Heat car now. |
F | Feed Stock in car now. |
G | Measure car now. |
H | Hold car now. |
I | Ice car now. |
J | Local Use (Description can vary from yard to yard, but has a definite meaning at the yard concerned) |
K | Local Use |
L | Local Use |
M | Spot car now. |
N | Respot car now. |
P | Police protection |
Q | Caboose in yard or transfer service |
R | Move this car to Rip track now. |
S | Move this car to shops now. |
T | Turn car after release. |
V | Vent car now. |
W | Weigh car now. |
X | Fuminate/washout car now. |
Y | Turn this car now. |
Z | Requires waybill change. |
ZONE “RA” TRACK | TRACK ASSIGNMENT | SPINS NUMBER |
01* | Qu’Appelle Sub | RA01 |
02 | Runaround (Roblin) | RA02 |
03 | Armco Canada Ltd | RA03 |
04 | Open Number | |
05 | Canadian Int. Paper – Bag Pack Div. | RA05 |
06 | McMillan Bloedel Pkg Ltd. | RA06 |
07 to 21 | Open Numbers | |
25 | C.P.R. North Transfer | RA25 |
26 | Consumers Co-op Refinery | RA26 |
27 | Consumers Co-op Refinery | RA27 |
28 | Consumers Co-op Refinery Runaround | RA28 |
29* | Consumers Co-op Refinery | RA29 |
30 | Consumers Co-op Refinery | RA30 |
31* | Consumers Co-op Refinery | RA31 |
32 | Consumers Co-op Refinery | RA32 |
33 | Consumers Co-op Refinery Coke Plant | RA33 |
34* | Consumers Co-op Refinery Coke Plant | RA34 |
35 | Inland Cement Co. | RA35 |
36 | Inland Cement Co. | RA36 |
37 | Inland Cement Co. | RA37 |
38 | Inland Cement Co. | RA38 |
39 | Inland Cement Co. | RA39 |
40 | Storage Tracks Victoria Plains | RA40 |
41 | Storage Tracks Victoria Plains | RA41 |
42 | Storage Tracks Victoria Plains | RA42 |
43 to 48 | Open Numbers | |
49 | Consumers Co-op Refinery Warehouse | RA49 |
50 | Gulf Oil – Lead | RA50 |
51 | Gulf Oil – Spur | RA51 |
52 to 99 | Open Numbers |
*NOTE: Not Shown in Y.I.S.
ZONE “RB” TRACK | TRACK ASSIGNMENT | SPINS NUMBER |
01* | Lead | RB01 |
02 | Lead | RB02 |
03 | Open Number | |
04 | Open Number | |
05 | McGavin Toastmaster | RB05 |
06 | Open Number | |
07 | Antonini & Sons | RB07A |
Browns Auction | RB07B | |
08, 09 | Open Numbers | |
10 | Lead | RB10 |
11 | Unassigned | RB11 |
12 | White Farm Equipment | RB12 |
13 | Saskatchewan Telecommunications | RB13 |
14 | Lead | RB14 |
16 to 18 | Open Numbers | |
19 | Parrish & Heimbecker | RB19 |
20 to 22 | Open Numbers | |
23 | Canadian Johns Manville | RB230A |
Northern Asbestos | RB230B | |
Produce People | RB230C | |
24 | Ward Johnson | RB24 |
25 to 27 | Open Numbers | |
28 | C.P.R. – From | RB28 |
29 | C.P.R. – To | RB29 |
30 | Lead | RB30 |
31 | Open Number | |
32 | Sask Power Corporation | RB32 |
33 | Runaround | RB33 |
34 | Lead | RB34 |
35 to 39 | Open Numbers | |
40, 41 | Open Numbers | |
42 | Simpsons-Sears (Outside Track) | RB42 |
43, 44 | Open Numbers | |
45 | Simpsons-Sears | RB45 |
46 | Jungle Platform Side & End | RB46 |
47 | Stelco Fabricators | RB47 |
48 | Open Number | |
49 | Stelco Fabricators | RB49 |
Buy-Rite Furn. | RB490A | |
50 | Open Number | |
51 | City of Regina Yard | RB51 |
52 | Sask Gov’t SV5 | RB52 |
53 | Open Number | |
54 | Edward’s Industries, Advance Dist | RB540A |
Sedco Bldg. | RB540B | |
Clark Roofing | RB540C | |
Continental Paper (Door 2) | RB540D | |
55 to 57 | Open Numbers | |
58 | Can Liquid Air | RB580A |
Norwood Foundry | RB580C | |
59 | Ford Tractor & Equipment | RB59 |
60 | Alford Holdings Ltd. | RB60 |
61 | Rodgers Ind | RB61 |
62 | Baramy Investments (Merrill Ent.) | RB62 |
63 to 99 | Open Numbers |
*NOTE: Not Shown In Y.I.S.
ZONE “RC” TRACK | TRACK ASSIGNMENT | SPINS NUMBER |
01 | Classification Track | RC01 |
02 | Classification Track | RC02 |
03 | Classification Track | RC03 |
04 | Classification Track | RC04 |
05 | Classification Track | RC05 |
06 | Classification Track | RC06 |
07 | Classification Track | RC07 |
08 | Classification Track | RC08 |
09 | Classification Track | RC09 |
10 | Classification Track | RC10 |
11 | Classification Track | RC11 |
12 | Classification Track | RC12 |
13 | Classification Track | RC13 |
14 | Classification Track | RC14 |
15 | Classification Track | RC15 |
16 | Classification Track | RC16 |
17 | Classification Track | RC17 |
18 | Classification Track | RC18 |
19 | Classification Track | RC19 |
20 | Open Number | |
21 | Rip Track | RC21 |
22 | Rip Track | RC22 |
23 | Rip Track | RC23 |
24 | Rip Track | RC24 |
25 | Rip Track | RC25 |
26 | Rip Track | RC26 |
27 | Rip Track | RC27 |
28 | Rip Track | RC28 |
29 | West Back Lead | RC29 |
30 | Hold Track | RC30 |
31 | Cleaning – Stock & Gons | RC31 |
32 to 39 | Open Numbers | |
40 | Scale Track | RC40 |
41 | Coach Lead | RC41 |
42 | Coach (Hold Refers) | RC42 |
43 | Coach Caboose Track | RC43 |
44 | Shop Lead | RC44 |
45 | Shop | RC45 |
46 | Shop-Pit | RC46 |
47 | Shop | RC47 |
48 | Shop | RC48 |
49 | Shop (Turntable) | RC49 |
50 | Shop (Turntable) | RC50 |
51 | House Track | RC51 |
52 | House Track | RC52 |
53 | House Track | RC53 |
54 | House Track | RC54 |
55 | House Track | RC55 |
56 | House Track | RC56 |
57 | Piggyback | RC57 |
58 | PiggyBack | RC58 |
59 | Team (Gantry Crane) | RC59 |
60 | Storage (Old Cab Track) | RC60 |
61 | Old Ice House Track | RC61 |
62 | Snow Plow Track | RC62 |
63 | Sectionmen (Tool Houses) | RC63 |
64 | Shop Sand Track | RC64 |
65 | Tail of Wye | RC65 |
66 to 99 | Open Numbers |
ZONE “RF” TRACK | TRACK ASSIGNMENT | SPINS NUMBER |
01* | Lead | RF01 |
03 | Open Number | |
04 | BACM | RF04 |
05 | Open Number | |
06 | Cindercrete Products | RF06 |
07 to 59 | Open Numbers | |
60 | Sask Livestock (Chute) | RF60 |
61 | Sask Livestock (Runaround) | RF61 |
NOTE: RF01 is split into RF01 (W. End) and RF02 (E. End) for Y.I.S. Purposes
ZONE “RG” TRACK | TRACK ASSIGNMENT | SPINS NUMBER |
01 | Open Number | |
02 | Wye | RG02 |
03 | Open Number | |
04 | Lead (Imperial Oil Tsfr.) | RG04 |
05, 06 | Open Numbers | |
07 | Roofmart | RG07 |
08 | Open Number | |
09 | Lead | RG09 |
John Deere | RG090A | |
10 | Redhead Equipment | RG10 |
11 | MacCoshams | RG11 |
12 | Primco Western | RG12 |
13 to 15 | Open Numbers | |
16 | Wallace Construction | RG16 |
17 | Shnier G.E. | RG17 |
18 | IBIS Ind. | RG18 |
19 to 22 | Open Numbers | |
23 | New Holland Ltd. | RG23 |
24 | Open Number | |
25 | International Telephones (I.T.T.) | RG25 |
26 | Open Number | |
27 | McMahon Ltd. | RG27 |
28, 29 | Open Numbers | |
30 | Belarus Equip | RG30 |
31 to 34 | Open Numbers | |
35 | Lead | RG35 |
36 | Russelsteel | RG36 |
37 | Gulf Whse. – M.C.T.R. Dist. | RG37 |
38 | General Motors | RG38 |
39 to 50 | Open Numbers | |
51 | Canfor | RG51 |
52 | Buckwolds Ltd. | RG52 |
53 | Open Number | |
54 | Pells Goodhost | RG54 |
55, 56 | Open Numbers | |
57 | Canada Cement | RG57 |
58 | Canada Cement | RG58 |
59, 60 | Open Numbers | |
61 | Crown Zellerbach | RG61 |
62 | Open Number | |
63 | McMillan Bloedel – Lumber Division | RG63 |
64 | Open Number | |
65, 66 | Open Numbers | |
67 | Regina Monumental (REMCO) | RG67 |
68 to 74 | Open Numbers | |
75 | Platform (Ramp) | RG75 |
76 to 99 | Open Numbers |
ZONE “RH” TRACK | TRACK ASSIGNMENT | SPINS NUMBER |
01 | Open Number | |
02 | Lead | RH02 |
03 | Simpsons Sears Stub Track | RH03 |
04 | Building (Inside) | RH04 |
05 | Runaround | RH05 |
20 to 31 | Open Numbers | |
32 | National Ctge. | RH32 |
33 | Hoechst Chem. | RH33 |
34 | Hoechst Chem. | RH34 |
35 | Henderson Dist (Platform) | RH35 |
36 | Cottrell Forwarding | RH36 |
37 | Cottrell Forwarding | RH37 |
38 | Midwest Paper | RH38 |
39 | Steel Bros. | RH39 |
40 | Federated Co-op (Track Inside) | RH40 |
45 | Nuco Building | RH45 |
48 | Elswood Dist. (Two Doors) | RH48 |
49 | Glidden Paint | RH49 |
60 | Pythagoros Bldg. (Simpsons) Track Inside | RH60 |
63 | Massey Ferguson | RH63 |
64 | J.I. Case | RH64 |
67 | Wilkinson Steel | RH67 |
70 | Codville (Three Doors) | RH70 |
71 to 99 | Open Numbers |
ZONE “RJ” TRACK | TRACK ASSIGNMENT | SPINS NUMBER |
01 | Open Number | |
02 | B.A.C.M. Track | RJ02 |
03 to 04 | Open Numbers | |
05 | N.A.H.X. Car Plant | RJ05 |
06 to 19 | Open Numbers | |
20 | Procor Ltd L.P.G. Plant | RJ20 |
21* | Procor Ltd L.P.G. Plant | RJ21 |
22 to 27 | Open Numbers | |
28 | Former Cominco Trackage | RJ28 |
29 | Former Cominco Trackage | RJ29 |
30 to 39 | Open Numbers | |
40 | City Lagoon | RJ40 |
41 to 99 | Open Numbers |
*NOTE: Not Shown in Y.I.S.
Hi Steve,
Your post tells a lot about how railway terminal operations worked when carload traffic was a large part of the railways’ operations. Freight was moved one or two cars at a time. As you say, a lot of the trackage has been removed or changed since 1981. Much of the freight that would have moved by rail then has shifted to container, or more likely, moves by truck. Also, consider how many of those businesses from 1981 no longer exist in 2021.
I will be interested in looking at the Saskatoon terminal operations when you have some time to post it. I knew parts of that trackage reasonably well.
Hi Brian, it’s amazing how much has changed in 40 years… from the railways themselves (moving from carload traffic to unit trains) to businesses (offshoring manufacturing and moving to services and online).
I will get to Saskatoon eventually. Since you’re interested, I’ll try to get it done sooner. It was easier to scan these car control manuals because I could take the staples out and scan them flat, then push the staples back in.