Mutual Improvement Classes are in order to pass on and preserve the skills of the parent topic. In true MIC tradition, these pages are designed to make this knowledge and information available to all. Fri, 06 Mar 2026 11:19:20 +0000 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 11:19:20 +0000 National Preservation https://www.national-preservation.com/forums/railway-operations-m-i-c.49/ Tue, 12 Jan 2021 19:21:37 +0000 https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/whistle-codes.1419073/ https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/whistle-codes.1419073/ invalid@example.com (ruddingtonrsh56) ruddingtonrsh56
What, if any, official whistle codes were there in steam days, and are there any that are still in use in preservation today? Are there any that some railways make use of and others don't?]]> 26 Sun, 31 Jul 2016 19:30:08 +0000 https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/train-stopped-in-section.15045/ https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/train-stopped-in-section.15045/ invalid@example.com (basher) basher
....if a train stops in section (for whatever reason: failed locomotive, obstruction on line etc), the rulebook states that the driver and guard should confer, by walking towards each other on the right hand side of the train.

The question is - is this the right hand side in the direction of travel, or the right hand side (ie the firemans side)? My railway do not operate ex-GWR locos, so the fireman is on the right - should the driver cross the...

Train Stopped In Section]]> 28 Sun, 31 Jul 2016 04:41:48 +0000 https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/mk1s-a-bit-of-a-user-guide.39380/ https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/mk1s-a-bit-of-a-user-guide.39380/ invalid@example.com (jez) jez
Just thought I'd link to something I've been working on for a bit and recently ported across onto flickr - it's not intended to be a full blown photographic maintenance manual but just a look round a typical Mk1 vehicle with useful pointers of what bits are and how they work.

Mk1 Coach: A Tour - a set on Flickr

As I say I've ported it across recently (it's been on my facebook page until then) so despite...

Mk1s - A bit of a User Guide]]> 3 Sun, 31 Jul 2016 04:11:11 +0000 https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/volunteer-training.13325/ https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/volunteer-training.13325/ invalid@example.com (lynbarn) lynbarn
Just to open up this subject what type of training is given to volunteers on the railway you work on.

I mean like how do you quailfy as a guard on your railway, or as a signalmen or any other position for that matter?

Regards

Colin Rainsbury]]> 48 Tue, 04 Aug 2015 09:45:35 +0000 https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/instanter-couplings.36309/ https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/instanter-couplings.36309/ invalid@example.com (Eightpot) Eightpot 40 Sun, 01 Dec 2013 18:47:02 +0000 https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/loco-load-limits.173597/ https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/loco-load-limits.173597/ invalid@example.com (threelinkdave) threelinkdave
Reading old books and magazines reference is often made to load limits. The Midland was a railway which had strict limits a loco was allowed to take before assistance was required, probably essential with their small engine policy.

When steam was...

LOCO LOAD LIMITS]]> 3 Sun, 13 Jan 2013 10:36:24 +0000 https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/gauges.14614/ https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/gauges.14614/ invalid@example.com (22A) 22A I've been told a model is too small to ride on and if you can ride on something small, that is a miniature gauge. But where is the difference between miniature and narrow gauges please?

Just for interest: The difference between a ship and a boat is what they carry. A...

Gauges]]> 22 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:29:35 +0000 https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/couplings.15740/ https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/couplings.15740/ invalid@example.com (Anthony Coulls) Anthony Coulls
Thanks
Anthony]]> 10 Wed, 14 Nov 2012 22:18:04 +0000 https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/mixed-traffic-workings.11131/ https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/mixed-traffic-workings.11131/ invalid@example.com (stepney60) stepney60 25 Wed, 02 Mar 2011 21:50:54 +0000 https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/rule-books-old-or-new.16665/ https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/rule-books-old-or-new.16665/ invalid@example.com (Neil_Scott) Neil_Scott
This question applies to signalling regulations as well by the way.]]> 38