ERIE RAILROAD COMPANY CAR SEALS

ERIE RAILROAD COMPANY
C. & E. R. R. CO.	N. J. & N. Y. R. R. CO.
N. Y. S. & W. R. R. CO.	B. & H. R. R. CO.



INSTRUCTIONS
TO AGENTS, CONDUCTORS, YARD CLERKS AND
OTHER EMPLOYES

GOVERNING
THE APPLICATION, REMOVING AND RECORDING
OF CAR SEALS



Effective April 1st, 1925


Form 5269-2 ’25-7,500

ERIE RAILROAD COMPANY
CHICAGO & ERIE RAILROAD CO.
NEW JERSEY & NEW YORK RAILROAD CO.
NEW YORK, SUSQUEHANNA & WESTERN RAILROAD CO.
BATH & HAMMONDSPORT RAILROAD CO.

INSTRUCTIONS
TO
Agents, Conductors, Yard Clerks, Police
Departments and other Employes
GOVERNING
The Application, Removing and Recording
of Car Seals

1. Seals used by these Companies will be The Tyden Self Locking Consecutively numbered seals.	Type of Seal
2. Seals will be lettered Erie and N. Y. S. & W., as they respectively apply. The series for each Company or Station will be consecutively numbered beginning with No. 1 and a letter prefix will distinguish the seals of stations and divisions.	Lettering and Numbering
3. Assignment of seals for use at important stations is definitely arranged and is outlined in a list published outside of these instructions and distributed to those interested.	Assignment of Seals
4. Agents will make requisition for seals in multiples of 100 in the same manner as all other station supplies and place order at least 60 days in advance of the time needed.	Requisition

	5. Superintendents will prepare and forward requisitions as per Store Department’s standard practice No.4, and may arrange to have way freight Conductors furnished with seals from Storekeeper’s stock for use provided in rules 32, 33 and 35.
	6. Manager of Stores, when ordering seals for a station definitely assigned a series, will have the seals shipped direct to the Agent so ordering and advise the General Freight Claim Adjuster on form 5265 showing the series opening and closing numbers of seals ordered and stations to which shipped.
	7. All other seals bearing series not covered by special list referred to will be shipped direct to the Storekeepers for distribution.
	8. The Stores Department will maintain a stock of seals in series A-B-C-D and PD.
Distribution	9. Seals distributed by Storekeepers will be used to fill requisitions from stations other than those definitely assigned a series as follows:
	10. Seals reading Erie bearing Series A to all stations on-
	New York Terminal
	New York Division and branches
	Northern Railroad
	New Jersey and New York RR.
	Greenwood Lake Division
	Delaware Division
	Wyoming Division
	Jefferson Division
	11. Seals reading Erie Series B to all stations on-
	Susquehanna Division
	Tioga Division
	Rochester Division
	Buffalo Division
	Bath and Hammondsport

12. Seals reading Erie Series C to all stations on-
Allegheny Division
Bradford Division
B. & S. W. Division
Meadville Division
Mahoning Division
13. Seals reading Erie Series D to all stations on-
Kent Division, First and Second Districts
Marion Division, First and Second Districts
Chicago and Hammond Terminal
14. Seals reading NYS&W to all stations on the NYS&W RR or Wilkesbarre & Eastern.
15. Seals reading P. D. shall be furnished only to representatives of the Police Department.
16. Tbe Storekeepers in filling requisitions shall advise the General Freight Claim Adjuster on form 5266, showing series, opening and closing numbers and the station to which shipped, and send a copy of such advice to the Chief of Police of the district in which the station ls located.
INSTRUCTIONS TO AGENTS AND OTHER EMPLOYES
17. Seals shall be kept under lock and only authorized employes permitted access to them. Agents and others charged with care of seals will be held personally responsible for their use, for sealing of cars, and the keeping of proper records.	Care of Seals
18. Seals must not be hung on unlocked cars, loading of which may be completed after business hours. A seal represents the Agent’s knowledge and approval of conditions surrounding a shipment thus protected and his responsibility cannot be transferred. The interchange of seals by Agents is absolutely prohibited, except, to prevent delay in movement of loaded cars when Agents find their stock of seals to be exhausted, emergency supplies may be

	obtained from the nearest agency upon telegraphic orders of Superintendent. In such cases, Agent furnishing the seals shall report seals furnished to the General Freight Claim Adjuster on form 5267, sending copy of report to Chief of Police of their district giving series opening and closing numbers and the name of the station to which supplied.
	19. In case Agents find their supply of seals on hand will not be sufficient to meet their requirements before additional supply can be received through the regular channel, telegraphic requests should immediately be made to Superintendent who will arrange with Storekeeper for an emergency supply to be sent by first passenger train.
	20. New supply of seals will be kept intact until previous supply is completely exhausted.
Car Loaded or Unloaded on Private or Outlaying Sidings	21. Where it has been customary for Industries or Firms to seal their own cars on private side tracks, or outlying sidings, with seals furnished by this Company, Agents may arrange with such Industries or Firms to supply them with seals from their station supply or from the supply of seals furnished stations for use of Industries, with the understanding that such Industries or Firms will maintain a complete record of all seals applied and furnished the Agent, from day to day, the car number and full reading of seals supplied to each side of the car. Agents shall file such reports in permanent station record for future reference.
	When requests for a supply of seals is made by Industries or Firms not previously furnished with seals, Agents shall refer such requests to their Superintendent for authority.
	22. Agents furnishing seals to Industries or Firms will report such seals to the General Freight Claim Adjuster on form 5267 giving the series, opening and closing numbers of such seals furnished and the name of the Industry or Firm to which seals were supplied.
	23. Yard or Train Crews taking a loaded car off a private side track or from an outlying siding shall

take record of all seals on all doors, hatches, or other openings where seals are applied and report them to the Agent on Conductor’s placing slip, Form 3884.
When loaded cars are delivered to an Industry or Firm located on a private side track or on outlying siding, the Yard or Train Conductor shall take record of all seals on the doors, hatches or other openings where seals are applied, at the time of placing and report to the Agent on Conductor’s placing slip, Form 3884. Agents shall file such reports in permanent station record for future reference.
24. It is apparent that seals alone will not adequately protect a car with loose, ill fitting or defective doors, which will permit entrance to car or access to lading without disturbing seals. Inspection of cars must include doors and door fastenings, and repairs necessary to insure their security must be made before placement of cars for loading.	Sealing Cars
25. Seals shall be applied in consecutive numerical order, beginning with the lowest number on hand. The number shall be recorded, as applied, in station record of seals, form 3894. Every seal must be accounted for in a satisfactory manner, and Agents must be assured by frequent check that they are properly used and recorded.
26. Seals shall be applied so that the prefix and number is exposed to view and may be easily and correctly read.
27. All seals shall be removed from both sides and end doors of all empty cars placed for loading.
28. Cars shall be sealed as soon as practical after loading is completed and when necessary to protect freight in cars while being loaded or unloaded.
29. Seals must be placed through fastenings in such a manner that doors cannot be opened without breaking seals. When applying seals see that they are properly locked, which is done by inserting slotted end into the ball and pushing forward until locked automatically. After seals have been applied they

	shall be tested to make sure they are properly locked which is done by pulling down on seal.
	30. Seals found to be defective, or those spoiled in applying, and seals used for the purpose of protecting cars during process of loading and unloading, after a proper record has been made in the station record of seals, form 3894, shall be so mutilated by Agent, as to destroy their usefulness for sealing purposes.
	31. All seals must be removed and applied by the Agent, in person, or by a competent authorized representative, except Conductors, may remove seals and reseal cars with seals previously furnished them by Storekeepers on authority of Superintendents as provided in rules 32, 33 and 35.
	Conductors are required to account for each seal and shall provide a safe place for their keeping and make record in their train book of each seal applied showing car number.
	32. When a car is opened at a non-agency station or blind siding to load or unload freight, Conductor will break the seal and after freight is loaded or unloaded reseal the car with seals from his supply. Conductor shall then make record of the seals removed and new seals applied and enter in his train book for future reference.
	33. At non-agency stations or blind sidings where shippers are not furnished with seals, Conductors shall, before picking up cars at such points apply seals to all doors from his supply of seals before car is moved making record of seals applied in his train book.
	34. Seals on merchandise cars opened in passing trains during hours when agents are on duty shall be recorded and cars resealed by Agent or his representative immediately after freight has been loaded or unloaded and a record made in station record of seals, form 3894.
	35. When freight is to be loaded or unloaded by Way Freight crews to or from cars in passing trains

during the night or hours, when agency stations are closed or Agents not available, Conductors shall remove seals and after freight has been loaded or unloaded reseal the car with seals from their supply, making record in train book of each seal removed and applied, showing car number.
36. At night, and unless otherwise adequately protected at other times, cars in process of loading or unloading on house or team tracks must be protected by seals.
37. End doors of all cars not equipped with seal fastenings must be cleated on the inside before loading and a record maintained.
38. When end doors are equipped with seal fastenings they shall be sealed the same as side doors and a complete record maintained in station record of seals, form 3894.
39. On cars received from Connecting Line, or from a shipper using his own private seals, or seals furnished by this Company for the sealing of the shipper’s car, seals and fastenings shall be carefully examined and if discovered with defective, broken seals, improperly applied seals, or with improper door fastenings that permit cars to be opened without breaking the seals, Agents at Junction points and at shipping points shall immediately reseal car, repair defective fastenings, make record of defective seals removed and new seals if applied, and of fastenings repaired, in station record of seals, form 3894, noting fully explanation of cause for removing original seals and report all facts to Agent of Connecting Line at Junction point, or to shippers, and a full report shall be made to the Division Superintendent and the police department.
40. Complete seal record shall be taken by Agents on all cars received from and delivered to Connecting Lines at time cars are placed on interchange track and a proper record shall be maintained in station record of seals, form 3894.

	41. If a car is properly sealed, with foreign seals, the car should move on this line under the foreign seals without applying our seals.
	42. When box cars are left unsealed and cleated open for ventilation at request of shippers, notation shall be made on original bill of lading and waybill "Car door cleated open for ventilation at shippers request" and a similar notation made in station record of seals, form 3894.
	43. Hatch covers and hatch screens on refrigerator cars, loaded with perishable freight, requiring ventilation or refrigeration, need not be sealed, but all such openings must be sealed at originating station when refrigerator cars contain other than perishable freight.
	44. Conductors shall call upon Agents or their representatives at the earliest opportunity to reseal any loaded car found with seals missing or imperfectly applied. If such cars are carried into train terminal, Conductor shall make report to Yard Master or Agent for resealing. Agents will maintain record in the station record of seals, form 3894.
Grain Inspection	45. Agents will accord Grain Inspectors presenting proper credentials, permission to enter cars for the purpose of inspecting and sampling. Agents shall make a permanent record of seals removed and applied and maintain record in station record of seals, form 3894.
	46. The Agent or his representative is the only person authorized to break or remove seals, except that Conductors may do so at non-agency stations or blind siding, and as authorized in Paragraphs 32, 33 and 35.
	47. Seals broken, or applied, shall be recorded in station record of seals, form 3894, at the time seal is either broken or applied. Seal numbers must be taken entire, with prefix letters, and with initials or other reference necessary to identify the seals of shippers or foreign lines.

48. As no two seals are numbered alike, employes shall take record of all seals on all doors, hatches or other openings where seals are applied.
49. Except on specific instructions, seals will not be applied to the openings of tank cars nor will record be taken of the seals applied by shippers or railroads to such cars.
50. On loaded cars sent to cripple track, where the nature of repairs makes necessary the transfer of contents of a sealed car, seals must not be broken until a representative of the station agent is present to take seal record, make complete inventory of the contents and comprehensive record of the condition of the property when reloaded and forwarded.
51. When car is placed on cripple track at terminal yards and it is necessary to open sealed car in order to effect repairs, the foreman of car repairs shall call upon a representative of the police department to take seal record before seals are broken, such seals to be delivered by the police officer to the station agent in order that the latter may maintain a complete record. It shall also be the duty of the police officer to guard the car until the repairs are effected and the car resealed. If a police officer is not avail- able, to prevent delay to repair work, the station agent should be called upon to take the seal record and remove the seals. Where circumstances warrant, the foreman of car repairs, or a designated car inspector, may take similar action, keeping full record and being responsible for protection of cars, and submit proper record to the agent.
52. When a car is held at an outlying point, where it is difficult to procure a Police Officer, or the services of the Agent or his authorized representative, the foreman of car repairs or car Inspector may take the seal record, protecting the shipment until such time as car repairer or Inspector has arranged with Agent for the resealing of car. Car Repairer or Car Inspector should turn over to Agent the complete

	seal record and any other record that he may have as to condition of property. The Agent will maintain record in the station record of seals, form 3894.
Definition of Imperfect Seals	53. Cars shall be considered imperfectly sealed under any of the following conditions:
	(a)	Absence of seal (Locks are not sufficient).
	(b)	Seal improperly applied.
	(c)	Broken seal.
	(d)	Indistinct impression on seal.
	(e)	Blank seal.
	(f)	When seals are other than those of Carriers, shippers, State or National Governmental Agencies, or authorized Inspectors.
	54. Freight Claim rules impose a penalty for improper seals and seal records and this Company will be held liable for the penalty on all losses arising through improper application of seals and for imperfect seal records. THEREFORE. practice of train crews applying and removing seals is prohibited, except at non-agency stations or blind siding and as provided in Paragraphs 32, 33 and 35.
Government Require- ments Seals	55. Paragraph 2, Section 14, Regulations of Order No. 211 of Bureau of Animal Industry, U. S. Department of Agriculture, reads:
	"In case of wreck or other extraordinary emergency, the department seals on a car containing any inspected and passed meat or product may be broken by the carrier, and, if necessary, the articles may be reloaded into another car, or the shipment may be diverted from the original destination without another shipper’s certificate; but in all such cases the Division Superintendent shall immediately report the facts by telegraph to the Chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry, Washington, D. C. Such reports shall include the following information:
	(a)	Nature of emergency.
	(b)	Place where seals were broken.

(c)	Original points of shipment and destination.
(d)	Number and initials of the original cars.
(e)	Number and initials of the car into into which the articles are loaded.
(f)	New destination of the shipment.
(g)	Kind and amount of articles.
56. Cars containing bonded freight must be secured by United States Customs seals and accompanied by Carriers’ special manifest as required by customs regulations. Agents shall make record of such seals in station record of seals, form 3894.		Bonded Freight
57. Conductors and Yardmasters shall carefully examine seals and bonded manifests to see that the same characters are shown on the seals as are called for by the manifests. Should a car be found with seals broken or showing evidence of having been tampered with, it shall be resealed with railroad seals and record made by Agent in station record of seals, form 3894. The broken seals together with full report should be promptly sent to the Superintendent, who will forward same to the Customs Officer at destination and will also make a report of the case to the Transportation Manager.
58. In case the seals must be removed from a car loaded with bonded freight within the limits of a Customs port in order to permit repairs, or that the Contents may be transferred to another car, the matter should be reported to the Superintendent, who will arrange for a Customs Inspector to remove the seals, supervise the repairs or transfer and reseal the car. In case fire, flood or other contingency makes it necessary to enter the car immediately in order to save the contents the seals may be broken by an employe. In either case Agents shall make record of seals removed and applied in station record of seals, form 3894.

	Should the car be located outside the limits of a Customs Port, the Conductor in charge of train or nearest station agent may remove the seals, permit repairs to car or transfer of shipment and reseal the car with railroad seals without the presence of a Customs Officer. If transfer is necessary, contents must be carefully checked with bonded manifest so that affidavit covering transfer may be furnished if requested. The employe breaking the seal should note on the Customs Manifest the date and reasons for removal of seals and make a report immediately to the Superintendent showing:
		Original car number and initials.
		Number and initials of car to which shipment was transferred.
		Lading.
		Waybill number and date.
		Point of origin and destination.
		Shipper and consignee.
		Reasons for removal of seals.
		Seals removed and applied.
		Condition of lading after transfer.
	The Superintendent in turn will report the matter to the proper Customs Officer or Transportation Manager as the circumstances require, record to be made in station record of seals form 3894.
Blue Bulb Seals Marked "In Transit"	59. The Customs seals with blue bulb used only to secure cars containing merchandise enroute from place to place in the United States through the Dominion of Canada, which have not been removed from cars at the time of their return into the United States, may be removed by an employe of the transportation company, or the consignee of the merchandise, without incurring any liability. If seals are removed by Agent, record shall be made in station record of seals, form 3894.

60. Care should be taken, however, that the red "In Bond" seals shall not be removed as such removal by unauthorized persons will subject them to severe penalties of both fine and imprisonment.		Red Seals
	H. C. BARLOW,
	General Freight Claim Adjuster
Approved:-
W. A. BALDWIN,
Vice-President.

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