- Overview
The Railcar Operators of the Carolinas (ROC)
is a loosely knit organization formed in 1998
with the goals of sharing the railroad motorcar hobby
and operating legally and safely on railroads in North Carolina,
South Carolina, and surrounding areas.
Starting with a small group of members, the club has grown
to more than 20 local and long-distance members.
These members span a wide range of ages, backgrounds, interests,
and occupations, and bring a diverse skill mix to the club.
- Railcars
Railroad motorcars are small four wheeled motorized vehicles designed to ride on railroads.
They were used by railroad employees to perform various maintenance tasks on the railroad property,
such as track work, bridge inspection, and signal system repair.
They evolved from human powered pump cars in the early 1900s,
and were eventually replaced in the 1960s by hy-rail vehicles (pickup trucks with small railroad wheels).
Railcars were manufactured by several corporations during their heydey.
Cars manufactured by the Fairmont Railway Motor company are the most visible today.
- The Hobby
There are several facets to the railcar hobby.
Some hobbyists focus on searching for old railcars and
rescuing them from decay or the scrapyard.
Others hobbyists spend time making old cars operational again,
either barely getting them running, or
by restoring the cars to pristine original condition.
And finally, hobbyists enjoy operating their railcars,
on railroads which have given us permission to do so.
ROC members enjoy all facets of the hobby.
We help each other procure cars, help get them running,
and then enjoy riding them.
- National Organization
All members of ROC are also members of NARCOA,
the North American Rail Car Operators Association.
NARCOA is a national organization which encourages
safe and responsible operation in Canada and the USA,
by providing safety rules, operator certification, etc.
Please see our
links page
to visit the NARCOA web site.
(Similar organizations also exist in Europe and Australia.)
- Operations
ROC members regularly operate their motorcars on the
Red Springs and Northern Railroad, RS&N,
in southeast North Carolina,
thanks to a generous arrangement with the railroad.
In exchange for mowing the grass on the right-of-way,
ROC members are permitted to operate on the railroad.
Please see our
schedule page
for the days we are permitted to operate.
ROC members also operate their railcars on other railroads
around the country,
as part of official events sanctioned by other clubs.
- Responsibility
All railroads are private property.
Trespassing is both illegal and dangerous.
ROC and NARCOA members do not operate on any track without
explicit permission from the railroad owner.
You should do the same.
Do not operate upon the RS&N without
permission from ROC!
- Safety
Railroads are inherently unsafe places.
ROC and NARCOA members strive to operate in a safe fashion
and encourage others to do the same.
Members become certified operators by studying the NARCOA
operators safety manual and by passing a
written test administered by NARCOA.
- Dues
ROC club dues are a bargain at
$20.00 per run day or 50.00 per year.
- Welcome
ROC welcomes certified NARCOA operators to ride with us on the RS&N.
Please read the information on other pages at this website and
contact us
with any further questions.
ROC also welcomes novices who are just learning about the hobby.
If this hobby sounds interesting to you, please contact us.
Also see our
links page
to visit other web sites describing
the various kinds of motorcars and activities of other clubs.
