Order no. G.O. 263

Whereas, the Board's attention has been called to a number of accidents, in some instances fatal, caused by failure to keep vestibule doors on passenger cars closed;

Upon reading what has been filed by the Canadian Railway Association for National Defence, on behalf of railway companies operating in Canada, and upon the report and recommendation of the board's Chief Operating Officer, and in pursuance of the powers conferred upon it by sections 30 and 269 of the Railway Act, and all other powers possessed by the board in that behalf,—

It is ordered:

1. That every railway company subject to the legislative authority of the Dominion Parliament, operating a railway by steam power, shall strictly conform to the following rules and regulations governing the handling of guard rails, vestibule doors, and platforms on passenger cars which are hereby approved, viz.:

   Through and local (except suburban) brains, double track, right hand operation.—When running, all doors and platforms except those on rear right hand side of last car are to be kept closed. When landing, the right hand doors and platforms, only, are to be opened, except when necessary to open left hand doors to receive or discharge passengers.

   Through and local (except suburban) trains, double track, left hand operation.—When running, all doors and platforms except those on rear left hand side of last car are to be kept closed. When standing, the left hand doors and platforms, only, are to be opened, except when necessary to open right hand doors to receive or discharge passengers.

   Through and local (except suburban) trains, single track. All doors and platforms, except those on rear of last car, are to be kept closed when running.

   Suburban trains, double track, right hand operation.—Doors and platforms on right hand side of train may be kept open, and when open are to be securely fastened. Those on left hand side must be kept closed, except when necessary to open them to receive or discharge passengers.

   Suburban trains, double track, left hand operation. Doors and platforms on left hand side of train may be kept open, and when open are to be securely fastened. Those on right hand side must be kept closed, except when necessary to open them to receive or discharge passengers.

   Suburban trains, single track.—All doors and platforms may be kept open and when open are to be securely fastened.

   General.

   Movable guard rails.—When there are movable guard rails on non-vestibule or open vestibule cars, guard rails must be kept closed, except that when trains are standing they are to be opened only on the side at which passengers are to be received or discharged.

   Vestibule curtains.—When cars are equipped with vestibule curtains, these appliances are to be kept closed, and are not to be uncoupled until trains stop at terminal, or when change is to be made in consist of train.

   Observation cars.—When rear car is observation car, side gates and platforms must be kept closed when running.

   Tail gate, chain or bar.—At rear of last car in train must invariably be kept closed.

2. Suburban trains, as used in this order, means, and applies only to, trains within commutation limits when carrying commutation traffic.