You have been invited to be a Guest at an excursion hosted by Motorcar Operators West (MOW). Welcome! This information sheet has been prepared to help inform you of the special rules you need to follow to prevent accidents and injuries. Please read it thoroughly and be sure to ask your Host Operator or the Excursion Coordinator (or his/her designee) should you have any questions, well before the trip begins.
MOW GENERAL RELEASE: The Motorcar Operators West General Release
must be signed by all operators and guests, and must be returned
to the event coordinator or his designee before riding in a motorcar.
This information sheet contains rules which you have agreed to
abide by, so
if you have any questions please discuss them with your host operator
or any excursion official.
AUTHORITY: The Event Coordinator (or his/her designee) and the Railroad Employee(s) are the controlling authorities of the excursion. The instructions these people give are to be followed. To promote the safe and smooth operation of an event, the Excursion Coordinator may ask participants to leave the event if these rules are not adhered to.
MOTORCAR OPERATION: Only NARCOA Insured, NARCOA Certified and MOW Licensed operators may operate motorcars on MOW excursions.
SAFETY MEETING: You are expected to attend the Safety meeting
where specific policies and special precautions that will apply
to this excursion will be discussed. You may be asked to help
flag at a grade crossings or your operator may ask you to flag
whenever your motorcar
slows down or stops. The proper flagging procedures will be demonstrated
at the safety meeting or by your host operator. If you have any
questions, be sure to discuss them with your host operator or
any excursion official.
SMOKING: Smoking in or about motorcars is prohibited at all times,is strongly discouraged on railroad property generally, and may be prohibited entirely for specific events. The smoking policy for this excursion will be presented at the safety meeting.
ALCOHOL & DRUGS: Use and possession of alcohol and drugs is prohibited at MOW excursions. Be sure to read and understand section 9 of the MOW General Release before you sign it.
PROPER FOOTWEAR: As a minimum, closed-toe, ankle-height boots are required on railroad property and while riding in motorcars. Steel toe boots are strongly recommended. Tennis shoes do not provide adequate protection.
LOADING/UNLOADING MOTORCARS: To avoid possible injury, do not walk or stand behind a motorcar as it is being loaded or unloaded from a trailer.
RIDING POSITION: Each passenger must have their own seating position, and be seated whenever the motorcar is in motion. The use of seat belts, when available, are recommended. No person should either get in or get out while the motorcar is in motion.
TRACKS, TRAINS AND ROLLING STOCK: To prevent slipping and falling,
do not walk or step on the rails. Railroad equipment may unexpectedly
move or be moved at any time; stay well clear of all locomotives,
rolling stock and railroad equipment. Because the visibility from
locomotives is quite limited, be constantly aware that train crews
may be completely unaware of the close proximity of people, or
even of motorcars. If we are stopped as a train is passing, move
to the opposite side of the motorcars farthest from the track
of the approaching train. Unless you have permission from the
Railroad representative DO NOT CLIMB OR STAND ON RAILROAD EQUIPMENT
OR ROLLING STOCK.
RAILROAD PROPERTY: Remember we are guests of the railroad we are traveling on. Dispose of your trash in suitable receptacles. If you pick it up, set it back down where you found it!
CHILDREN: Check with your operator or the excursion coordinator BEFORE bringing children to an excursion. The minimum age on any MOW excursion is 5 years old but the railroad may set a higher minimum age. Children must have their own seating position well within the protective confines of the motorcar and must not sit on the laps of other passengers. Those under 18 must wear a Snell-approved helmet and are not allowed to operate motorcars at MOW events. Because recreational railroad motorcar operation is inherently an adult activity, special care must be paid to the presence of, and the safe participation by children. Children must be under the supervision of accountable adults at all times. The event coordinator may ask participants to leave an event if a child creates a risk or interferes with the safe or smooth operation of an event.
© Motorcar Operators West Inc. 2000