Code of Conduct

Respect

Treat every member and member of staff with courtesy and respect.

1. No harassment, bullying, threats, abuse or intimidation, in any channel, on or off the network, where it concerns Virtual Rail.
2. No discrimination or hateful content on any grounds, including race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or age.
3. No sexual, obscene or graphic content, and nothing unlawful.

Your account

1. One account per person. Your VRN is personal: do not share it, lend it or let anyone else use it.
2. Use your real name. Do not impersonate another member, a member of staff, or a real railway employee or company.
3. You must be 16 or over.
4. Do not make a new account to get round a disconnection, restriction or ban.

Following instructions

1. Follow instructions from Supervisors and Administrators straight away.
2. A Supervisor's decision on the network is final. Do not argue it, ignore it or try to get round it while you are connected.
3. If you disagree, comply first and raise it afterwards through the appeal route in E7.

No deliberate disruption

Do not deliberately spoil the network for others. That includes, but is not limited to:

1. Blocking lines, platforms or junctions on purpose, or sitting in the way of other trains to cause delay.
2. Deliberately causing collisions, derailments or conflicts.
3. Connecting trains, areas or panels you have no intention of operating properly.
4. Encouraging or helping someone else to break this code.

Software, systems and fair play

1. Use only the Virtual Rail app and your own legitimately licensed copies of Train Sim World and SimSig.
2. Do not use tools, scripts or modifications that change what other members see, give you an unfair advantage, or run a train or panel for you while you are away.
3. Do not tamper with, probe, overload or attempt to access the Virtual Rail servers, the signalling host, other members' accounts or anybody's computer. If you find a security problem, report it privately to contact@virtualrail.net and do not use it.

Bookings

1. Book only what you intend to drive or signal, and turn up for it.
2. If you cannot make it, cancel as early as you can so someone else can take it.
3. Do not book trains or shifts to stop other members having them. Repeated no-shows may lead to booking restrictions.

Communication

1. Keep messages to other members and to staff relevant, polite and in English, so staff can help and follow up.
2. Use Request supervisor for genuine problems only. Do not misuse it, spam it or send false reports.
3. Do not share another member's personal details, or private messages from staff, without their consent.
4. This applies in every Virtual Rail channel — the app's supervisor chat and the Virtual Rail Discord server alike.

Streaming and recording

You may stream or record your own sessions. Do not use a stream to harass, mock or target another member, and do not show private messages or supervisor conversations without the other person's agreement.

Discord, voice and mentoring

1. The Virtual Rail Discord server is part of Virtual Rail: this code applies there, in text and in voice.
2. Keep Virtual Rail business in our channels. Do not pressure anyone into private messages, calls or other platforms, and do not ask for personal contact details, photos or a webcam.
3. Mentoring follows the Safeguarding policy. You may end a session at any time.
4. Do not record or share voice conversations without everyone's agreement.
5. When you share your screen in a session, share only the application you are asked to show (SimSig). Staff never ask to see anything else, and never screenshot or record another member's screen.

It is a simulation

Virtual Rail is for simulation only. Nothing on the network — timetables, signals, routes or advice from other members — may be used for real-world railway operation, and nobody here speaks for Network Rail, a train operator, Dovetail Games or SimSig.

Drive the train you booked

1. Only connect a train you have booked, or one a Supervisor has given you, under its correct headcode.
2. Start from the booked location and platform, at the booked time.
3. Use the timetabled rolling stock, or one of the recommended substitutes shown on its booking page.

Stay at the controls

1. You must be at your computer, in control of your train, for the whole time it is connected to the network — from the moment you connect until you disconnect at the end of your run.
2. Never leave a moving train unattended, or use anything that drives it for you while you are away.
3. If you have to leave, bring the train to a stand at a platform or at a signal showing danger, then disconnect properly using Disconnect in the app. The network will carry your service on.
4. A train left unattended, or one that stops responding, may be disconnected by a Supervisor.

Signals

1. Obey every signal aspect. Never pass a signal at danger unless the signaller has given you authority to do so.
2. Drive so you can stop at every signal as its aspect requires, and respond promptly when the aspect ahead changes.
3. If you pass a signal at danger by mistake, stop immediately, do not move again until the signaller allows it, and report it honestly — to the signaller, or with Request supervisor if the area is not staffed.

Speed

Observe every permanent and temporary speed restriction, the line speed, and the maximum speed of your train. Do not drive recklessly to make up time.

Station work and the timetable

1. Call at every booked stop and stop correctly at the platform.
2. Do not depart before the booked departure time.
3. Work to the timetable in good faith: do not deliberately run late, and do not deliberately delay other trains.

Working with the signaller

1. Follow the route the signaller sets. Do not change points, routes or signals yourself, by any means, while an area is being signalled.
2. Follow the signaller's reasonable instructions, and be professional in any message to them.
3. Where nobody is signalling, Train Sim World's own signalling runs your route — the rules above still apply.

Ending your run

1. Drive to the end of your booked run, or to where it leaves Train Sim World's map, before disconnecting.
2. If your connection drops, reconnect as soon as you can; if you cannot, tell a Supervisor.

Signal within your rating

1. Only take panels and areas your rating allows.
2. SIG-1 (trainee) members may only signal while an Instructor (INS-1 or above) is supervising them.
3. SIG-2 members may only open the panels and simulations their rating covers; SIG-3 members may open all.
4. Instructors are responsible for the trainees they supervise.

Stay at your panel

1. You must be at your computer, actively signalling, for the whole time you hold a panel.
2. If you need to leave, hand your panel over to another signaller or release it, then disconnect. Never leave a panel you hold unattended.
3. Do not use anything that sets routes for you while you are away.

Signal safely

1. Signal every train safely and in accordance with normal railway signalling practice.
2. Do not deliberately set conflicting routes, route a train into an occupied section other than by a proper permissive or call-on move, or give a driver authority to pass a signal at danger without good reason.
3. Do not deliberately hold a train at a signal without an operational reason.

Regulate fairly

Regulate trains in line with the timetable and sensible operating priorities. Treat member-driven trains and timetabled trains fairly: do not favour or penalise anyone.

Hand-overs and neighbouring areas

1. Hand panels over properly when another signaller asks for one, and take a released panel promptly when it is yours.
2. Work with signallers in neighbouring areas so trains pass between areas safely.

Leave the simulation alone

Do not pause, change the clock, save, reload or change the options of a hosted simulation, or interfere with the host in any way. Network time is set by Virtual Rail for everyone.

Be professional with drivers

Give drivers clear, accurate and polite instructions, and tell them when something affects their train.

Fair and consistent

1. Apply this code fairly, consistently and without favouritism.
2. Quote the rule you are acting on, and tell the member the reason — never the internal note.
3. Do not deal with a matter in which you are personally involved; pass it to another member of staff.

Use powers responsibly

Use staff tools only for their purpose. Record what you did and why, keep members' information confidential, and never use your role for personal advantage.

Safeguarding

1. Staff must be 18 or over, and follow the Safeguarding policy at all times.
2. Help and mentor members only in Virtual Rail's channels. Never privately message a member under 18, and never arrange to meet a member in person.
3. Pass every safeguarding concern to the safeguarding lead the same day — never keep it to yourself or investigate it.

Staff follow the code too

Everything in sections A to C applies to staff as it does to every other member.

How we decide

We consider what happened, whether it was deliberate or careless, the effect on other members, whether you reported it honestly, and your record. Honest mistakes that are reported are normally dealt with by advice.

What can happen

Serious misconduct

The following can lead straight to suspension or a permanent ban, without earlier warnings:

1. Deliberately passing a signal at danger, or failing to stop and report one (B3).
2. Deliberately causing a collision, derailment or conflict (A4, C3).
3. Harassment, threats, hate or discrimination (A1).
4. Tampering with or attacking our systems, or using another member's account (A5, A2).
5. Getting round a disconnection, suspension or ban (A2(d)).
6. Inappropriate contact with a member, especially one under 18, or any breach of the Safeguarding policy (A10, D4) — referred to the police where it may be a crime.

Leaving a train or panel unattended

Being away from a connected train or a panel you hold (B2, C2) normally leads to disconnection. Repeated cases lead to suspension.

Reporting a breach

1. On the network: use Request supervisor in the app.
2. Otherwise: email contact@virtualrail.net with what happened, when, and the VRN or headcode involved.
3. On Discord: tell an Administrator or Supervisor.
4. A safeguarding concern: see the Safeguarding policy.
5. If anyone is in immediate danger, contact the police first, then tell us.

Records

We keep a record of moderation decisions on your account, as set out in the Privacy Notice, so repeat behaviour can be recognised and appeals can be reviewed.

Appeals

If you think a decision was wrong, email contact@virtualrail.net within 14 days, quoting the rule reference and why you disagree. An Administrator who was not involved will review it and tell you the outcome. A suspension stays in place while an appeal is considered.

Changes to this code

We may update this code as the network grows. The version and date at the top show the current one; significant changes will be announced on the home page.