CN Regina Terminal Car Control Manual

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This manual is presented for historical reference.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
Introduction1
Table of Contents2
Switch List Instructions3-13
Blank Sheet for Notes14
Schematic Regina Terminal15

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
CANReject Car – Either Unsuitable Contents or Cancelled
CRPCaution-Residual Phosphorus
DANDangerous
DIMDimensional Load
DLODry Load Only (Empty Mechanical Refrigeration with Defective or Missing Refrigeration Unit)
DNHDo Not Hump
FEFront End Car (Next to Engine)
H–Heating, Venting, Icing Instructions
HTRHeater(s) in Empty Car
ICFEmpty Ice Car – Full Stage
ICHEmpty Ice Car – Half Stage
KMRKeep Mechanical Refrigeration Running
LHVHigh Value Load
L—–Livestock Last Loaded Data
MICMessenger In Charge
MREMechanical Refrigeration
PBCPerishable in Box Cars
PFGPoison Gas Flammable
PLTPartially Loaded Tank Cars
POGPoison Gas
P—Pool Number
RAMRadio Active Material
RERear End Car (Handle Next to Caboose)
REJReject Car – Either Placed Wrong Location or Unfit for Loading
SCHSingle Cut HUMP/SHOVE to Rest This Car and Following Car
UOSUnload From One Side
V–Venting Instructions
WTBWeight on Track and Bridges (Highweight)
XPLExplosive
——-May Also Contain Free Form Special Handling Instructions or Car Distribution Instructions.

YARDMASTER’S INSTRUCTIONS

Switch List Requirements

A. DUTIESYARD 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

CODEDESCRIPTION
AWeigh this car after it has been spotted and released.
BWeigh this car both before spotting and after release from spot.
CMove this car to cleaning track now.
DSpecial 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.
EHeat car now.
FFeed Stock in car now.
GMeasure car now.
HHold car now.
IIce car now.
JLocal Use (Description can vary from yard to yard, but has a definite meaning at the yard concerned)
KLocal Use
LLocal Use
MSpot car now.
NRespot car now.
PPolice protection
QCaboose in yard or transfer service
RMove this car to Rip track now.
SMove this car to shops now.
TTurn car after release.
VVent car now.
WWeigh car now.
XFuminate/washout car now.
YTurn this car now.
ZRequires waybill change.
Regina Terminal zones RA, RB, RC, RF, RH, RJ, RG
Regina Terminal zones RA, RB, RC, RF, RH, RJ, RG – page 15
Reginal Terminal "RA" Zone - page 16
Reginal Terminal “RA” Zone – page 16
ZONE “RA” TRACKTRACK ASSIGNMENTSPINS NUMBER
01*Qu’Appelle SubRA01
02Runaround (Roblin)RA02
03Armco Canada LtdRA03
04Open Number
05Canadian Int. Paper – Bag Pack Div.RA05
06McMillan Bloedel Pkg Ltd.RA06
07 to 21Open Numbers
25C.P.R. North TransferRA25
26Consumers Co-op RefineryRA26
27Consumers Co-op RefineryRA27
28Consumers Co-op Refinery RunaroundRA28
29*Consumers Co-op RefineryRA29
30Consumers Co-op RefineryRA30
31*Consumers Co-op RefineryRA31
32Consumers Co-op RefineryRA32
33Consumers Co-op Refinery Coke PlantRA33
34*Consumers Co-op Refinery Coke PlantRA34
35Inland Cement Co.RA35
36Inland Cement Co.RA36
37Inland Cement Co.RA37
38Inland Cement Co.RA38
39Inland Cement Co.RA39
40Storage Tracks Victoria PlainsRA40
41Storage Tracks Victoria PlainsRA41
42Storage Tracks Victoria PlainsRA42
43 to 48Open Numbers
49Consumers Co-op Refinery WarehouseRA49
50Gulf Oil – LeadRA50
51Gulf Oil – SpurRA51
52 to 99Open Numbers

*NOTE: Not Shown in Y.I.S.

Regina car control zone "RB" - page 18
Regina car control zone “RB” – page 18
ZONE “RB” TRACKTRACK ASSIGNMENTSPINS NUMBER
01*LeadRB01
02LeadRB02
03Open Number
04Open Number
05McGavin ToastmasterRB05
06Open Number
07Antonini & SonsRB07A
Browns AuctionRB07B
08, 09Open Numbers
10LeadRB10
11UnassignedRB11
12White Farm EquipmentRB12
13Saskatchewan TelecommunicationsRB13
14LeadRB14
16 to 18Open Numbers
19Parrish & HeimbeckerRB19
20 to 22Open Numbers
23Canadian Johns ManvilleRB230A
Northern AsbestosRB230B
Produce PeopleRB230C
24Ward JohnsonRB24
25 to 27Open Numbers
28C.P.R. – FromRB28
29C.P.R. – ToRB29
30LeadRB30
31Open Number
32Sask Power CorporationRB32
33RunaroundRB33
34LeadRB34
35 to 39Open Numbers
40, 41Open Numbers
42Simpsons-Sears (Outside Track)RB42
43, 44Open Numbers
45Simpsons-SearsRB45
46Jungle Platform Side & EndRB46
47Stelco FabricatorsRB47
48Open Number
49Stelco FabricatorsRB49
Buy-Rite Furn.RB490A
50Open Number
51City of Regina YardRB51
52Sask Gov’t SV5RB52
53Open Number
54Edward’s Industries, Advance DistRB540A
Sedco Bldg.RB540B
Clark RoofingRB540C
Continental Paper (Door 2)RB540D
55 to 57Open Numbers
58Can Liquid AirRB580A
Norwood FoundryRB580C
59Ford Tractor & EquipmentRB59
60Alford Holdings Ltd.RB60
61Rodgers IndRB61
62Baramy Investments (Merrill Ent.)RB62
63 to 99Open Numbers

*NOTE: Not Shown In Y.I.S.

CN Regina "RC" Zone - rail yard - page 21
CN Regina “RC” Zone – rail yard – page 21
ZONE “RC” TRACKTRACK ASSIGNMENTSPINS NUMBER
01Classification TrackRC01
02Classification TrackRC02
03Classification TrackRC03
04Classification TrackRC04
05Classification TrackRC05
06Classification TrackRC06
07Classification TrackRC07
08Classification TrackRC08
09Classification TrackRC09
10Classification TrackRC10
11Classification TrackRC11
12Classification TrackRC12
13Classification TrackRC13
14Classification TrackRC14
15Classification TrackRC15
16Classification TrackRC16
17Classification TrackRC17
18Classification TrackRC18
19Classification TrackRC19
20Open Number
21Rip TrackRC21
22Rip TrackRC22
23Rip TrackRC23
24Rip TrackRC24
25Rip TrackRC25
26Rip TrackRC26
27Rip TrackRC27
28Rip TrackRC28
29West Back LeadRC29
30Hold TrackRC30
31Cleaning – Stock & GonsRC31
32 to 39Open Numbers
40Scale TrackRC40
41Coach LeadRC41
42Coach (Hold Refers)RC42
43Coach Caboose TrackRC43
44Shop LeadRC44
45ShopRC45
46Shop-PitRC46
47ShopRC47
48ShopRC48
49Shop (Turntable)RC49
50Shop (Turntable)RC50
51House TrackRC51
52House TrackRC52
53House TrackRC53
54House TrackRC54
55House TrackRC55
56House TrackRC56
57PiggybackRC57
58PiggyBackRC58
59Team (Gantry Crane)RC59
60Storage (Old Cab Track)RC60
61Old Ice House TrackRC61
62Snow Plow TrackRC62
63Sectionmen (Tool Houses)RC63
64Shop Sand TrackRC64
65Tail of WyeRC65
66 to 99Open Numbers
CN car control p23 - zone "RF"
CN car control p23 – zone “RF”
ZONE “RF” TRACKTRACK ASSIGNMENTSPINS NUMBER
01*LeadRF01
03Open Number
04BACMRF04
05Open Number
06Cindercrete ProductsRF06
07 to 59Open Numbers
60Sask Livestock (Chute)RF60
61Sask Livestock (Runaround)RF61

NOTE: RF01 is split into RF01 (W. End) and RF02 (E. End) for Y.I.S. Purposes

Zone "RG" - Regina car control p25
Zone “RG” – Regina car control p25
ZONE “RG” TRACKTRACK ASSIGNMENTSPINS NUMBER
01Open Number
02WyeRG02
03Open Number
04Lead (Imperial Oil Tsfr.)RG04
05, 06Open Numbers
07RoofmartRG07
08Open Number
09LeadRG09
John DeereRG090A
10Redhead EquipmentRG10
11MacCoshamsRG11
12Primco WesternRG12
13 to 15Open Numbers
16Wallace ConstructionRG16
17Shnier G.E.RG17
18IBIS Ind.RG18
19 to 22Open Numbers
23New Holland Ltd.RG23
24Open Number
25International Telephones (I.T.T.)RG25
26Open Number
27McMahon Ltd.RG27
28, 29Open Numbers
30Belarus EquipRG30
31 to 34Open Numbers
35LeadRG35
36RusselsteelRG36
37Gulf Whse. – M.C.T.R. Dist.RG37
38General MotorsRG38
39 to 50Open Numbers
51CanforRG51
52Buckwolds Ltd.RG52
53Open Number
54Pells GoodhostRG54
55, 56Open Numbers
57Canada CementRG57
58Canada CementRG58
59, 60Open Numbers
61Crown ZellerbachRG61
62Open Number
63McMillan Bloedel – Lumber DivisionRG63
64Open Number
65, 66Open Numbers
67Regina Monumental (REMCO)RG67
68 to 74Open Numbers
75Platform (Ramp)RG75
76 to 99Open Numbers
CN Regina car control manual - "RH" Zone - p27
CN Regina car control manual – “RH” Zone – p27
ZONE “RH” TRACKTRACK ASSIGNMENTSPINS NUMBER
01Open Number
02LeadRH02
03Simpsons Sears Stub TrackRH03
04Building (Inside)RH04
05RunaroundRH05
20 to 31Open Numbers
32National Ctge.RH32
33Hoechst Chem.RH33
34Hoechst Chem.RH34
35Henderson Dist (Platform)RH35
36Cottrell ForwardingRH36
37Cottrell ForwardingRH37
38Midwest PaperRH38
39Steel Bros.RH39
40Federated Co-op (Track Inside)RH40
45Nuco BuildingRH45
48Elswood Dist. (Two Doors)RH48
49Glidden PaintRH49
60Pythagoros Bldg. (Simpsons) Track InsideRH60
63Massey FergusonRH63
64J.I. CaseRH64
67Wilkinson SteelRH67
70Codville (Three Doors)RH70
71 to 99Open Numbers
"RJ" Zone CN Regina car control
“RJ” Zone CN Regina car control
ZONE “RJ” TRACKTRACK ASSIGNMENTSPINS NUMBER
01Open Number
02B.A.C.M. TrackRJ02
03 to 04Open Numbers
05N.A.H.X. Car PlantRJ05
06 to 19Open Numbers
20Procor Ltd L.P.G. PlantRJ20
21*Procor Ltd L.P.G. PlantRJ21
22 to 27Open Numbers
28Former Cominco TrackageRJ28
29Former Cominco TrackageRJ29
30 to 39Open Numbers
40City LagoonRJ40
41 to 99Open Numbers

*NOTE: Not Shown in Y.I.S.


More CN Car Control Manuals

2 thoughts on “CN Regina Terminal Car Control Manual”

  1. 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.

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