Caption: With the station's train order board semaphores set, the Woodstock station operator stands on the platform with his train order hoop at the ready and angled down at the rail, soon to be held up to "hoop up" train orders to the head end crew of an eastbound freight that's approaching the station on a gloomy evening just before 16:00 hours. Lead unit 5776 has its white classification lights illuminated, denoting this train as an extra freight. Such was common in the old days of train order territory operation when coloured flags, class lights, semaphores, train orders and precisely timed station clocks and pocket watches ensured the safe and timely movement of freight traffic.

Keith Hansen photo, Dan Dell'Unto coll.