BNSF Maintenance of Way Operating Rules Practice Test

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• What type of documentation must be adhered to when managing train movements near track conditions?
• What does the term 'Main Track' generally imply in railway operations?
• Which of the following best describes the relationship between OCS and yard limits?
• Who is responsible for the position of a switch or derail that is in use?
• When can flagging against the current of traffic in double track be discontinued?
• What is the expectation for stopping when encountering railroad cars or equipment fouling the track?
• What is the maximum speed allowed for trains or engines moving at restricted speed?
• How are OCS limits designated according to the guidelines?
• Under what conditions may OCS be in effect at designated locations?
• What must be done to occupy an automatic interlocking equipped with a MW release box?
• How are flags displayed to protect speed restrictions or men and equipment in a current of traffic?
• Which of the following designations signifies a mile marker on the railroad?
• What action must crew members take when moving at restricted speed?
• What type of track does a track warrant NOT authorize a train to occupy?
• What is the purpose of a Restricted Limit sign in track operations?
• What color flags or lights should be used for day signals?
• What is a control point in railroad operations?
• What is the minimum separation distance on-track equipment may be bunched to travel over crossings, control points or structures?
• What should an employee do if they receive an unclear or incomplete communication that may affect safety?
• How far in advance must flagmen station themselves to protect on-track equipment or conditions?
• Which factor is essential for determining the effectiveness of OCS limits?
• Where will a track permit authorize a train or employee to occupy a main track?
• How will spring switches be identified?
• When must maintenance of way employees test their radios?
• What kind of point is referred to for track warrant limits?
• What signals indicate that a switch is aligned for movement?
• What should an employee do if they do not understand a signal?
• How must inspections of passing trains be performed?
• What action should be taken if a machine's brakes are found to be malfunctioning?
• Under what condition can speed restrictions be issued without dispatcher approval?
• How should trains or engines behave in the presence of a stop signal at restricted speed?
• During humping operations, before an employee performs maintenance on a bowl track, what must be done?
• What type of conditions must be protected when restrictions are not specified in writing?
• What must employees be aware of when using radio communication instead of hand signals?
• When may maintenance of way (MW) employees establish working limits using train coordination?
• What should an employee do when their duties affect yard movement and no yardmaster is on duty?
• What is required for employees providing protection for a work group or lone worker?
• How far ahead must yellow flags be placed before a restriction?
• When is foul time considered to be in effect?
• What action must an employee take before transmitting on a radio?
• When does a track warrant go into effect for the employee requesting it?
• What is the validity of movement authority during the "void" period?
• How long before a new timetable takes effect is notification given?
• What action should be taken if a main track is fouled without authority?
• What must a train do when encountering a red flag or light displayed between the rails?
• When hand brakes must be used to control or prevent car movement, what must be done?
• What is a key responsibility of an employee at a control point?
• Which engine's number will be illuminated when multiple engines are coupled?
• What does the abbreviation SSS stand for in railroad terminology?
• Before operating equipment in tracks near an interlocking, what is necessary?
• What is the primary role of the train dispatcher in the context of OCS?
• What is a primary reason for defining OCS limits with exact points?
• Where must the name of the employee in charge of each work group using the authority be recorded?
• In railroad terms, what is represented by the acronym SBCS?
• What must a lone worker do prior to fouling the track?
• When a track warrant designates a station with a siding, where does the authority extend to?
• How should flags be displayed in multiple main track territory?
• When there is an emergency, what must employees do?
• Which term describes a track connected to the main track for meeting or passing trains?
• What is the requirement for a flagman after stopping a train?
• Under what condition may hy-rail vehicles move through the spring side of a spring frog?
• How is protection established when a track condition requires it, but no bulletin or warrant has been issued?
• Before entering a main track at an electrically locked switch, what is required?
• What is the required identification for a mobile unit during radio communication?
• What condition applies if the yellow-red flag is used less than two miles from a restricted area?
• Which flag should be removed first when multiple flags are displayed?
• Where must red flags or lights be displayed?
• When must crew members be prepared to stop regarding yellow-red flags?
• What must the employee do before occupying the limits of a manual interlocking?
• When should red flags or lights be placed in advance of an obstruction?
• When may yellow-red flags be displayed less than two miles in advance of a restricted area?
• What is required from the employee in charge during a job safety briefing with multiple work groups?
• Under what circumstances may foul time be issued as "joint"?
• What does the term 'current of traffic' refer to?
• What does a track warrant authorize within designated limits?
• Before entering OCS limits, which entity must always be consulted?
• How will MW equipment proceed at an automatic interlocking not equipped with a MW release box if the equipment does not shunt the track?
• Who must an employee call when requesting track and time?
• What is a fundamental requirement regarding track permits?
• What does the timetable specify regarding multiple main tracks?
• What must a train do if it encounters a flag that restricts its movement?
• What must not be exceeded according to track warrant, track bulletin, or radio speed restriction?
• Who is responsible for ensuring that equipment does not occupy a track until authority is received?
• How must a lookout warn employees of an approaching train?
• What does the abbreviation RL indicate in the context of track operations?
• What type of alphabet should be used to pronounce clearly any letter used as an initial during transmissions?
• What can be used to restrict or stop train movement due to track conditions?
• In track operations, what does the abbreviation NBCS mean?
• What is the minimum distance cars, engines, or equipment should be left from a road crossing when adjacent tracks are present?
• On double track, how must trains move unless otherwise instructed?
• Who must maintenance forces contact before beginning repairs, disconnecting equipment, or obstructing the track?
• What is the maximum speed permitted for hy-rail vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 15,000 lbs or under?
• How will all movements be made within the form B limits when authority limits overlap?
• How far in advance must employees display a yellow-red flag before a restricted area to ensure preparedness?
• How must on-track equipment approach bridges during unusually heavy rain or storms?
• In railway signaling, what does WBCS signify?
• What is a siding used for in railway operations?
• What type of documentation is required when authority limits overlap between two employees?
• Once the train is two miles beyond a yellow-red flag with no red flag encountered, what should the crew do?
• If a person signaling to back or shove disappears, what is the required action?
• How should the term "current of traffic" be interpreted in railroad safety protocols?
• What are the requirements when a switch is used for protection on tracks other than the main track?
• According to rule 1.10, what must employees on duty refrain from doing?
• What is the minimum equipment that each flagman must carry?
• What does a green flag signify to train crews?
• When must employees refresh information on overlapping form Bs?
• How many speeds may MW employees authorize through the limits of a form B?
• What does the control point enable in terms of train operations?
• What defines a main track in railway operations?
• What is the consequence of authority expiration under OCS if a dispatcher cannot be contacted?
• When a passenger train is discharging or receiving traffic, what must on-track equipment do?
• In railroad context, what is the significance of a controlled signal?
• According to the rules, what is essential to establish protection for track conditions?
• What must be done when machines are to be tied up?
• When may a train only ignore a red signal?
• What must employees do to recognize and follow signals correctly?
• In an emergency situation, which is proper protocol regarding personal safety?
• What does the abbreviation for North Siding Switch mean in railroad terms?
• What is represented by the acronym ESS in railroad terminology?
• How will track warrant limits be designated?
• What should be done if signal appliances are found to be in poor condition?
• How should flags be removed according to operating rules?
• When must crew members continue moving a train at a speed not exceeding 10 mph?
• Can employees use additional hand signals beyond the prescribed signals?
• Which abbreviation indicates a westbound controlled signal?
• What does the term MT refer to in railroad track operations?
• If foul time is being used and sidings are blocked, who must be notified?
• What is the definition of 'absolute signals' in train operations?
• What must an employee do before operating a dual control switch by hand?
• Which acronym denotes a crossover located at the eastern part of the track?
• When must on-track equipment obtain dispatcher authority in relation to OCS?
• What happens when a train reports passing a station to the dispatcher?
• On-track equipment must remain at least how far behind a moving or stationary train?
• What is the primary purpose of track warrant control?
• What does WSS stand for in railway terminology?
• Under what condition may trains pass a red flag or light without stopping?
• What does NSS stand for in railroad terminology?
• Who should be notified first about a required temporary track restriction?
• Who is responsible for providing speed restrictions to trains?
• When granted joint track and time, what must be done if the track is not safe for trains to move at a speed of at least 20 mph?
• When requesting authority, what must the employee in charge ensure?
• How should equipment be protected when working on bowl tracks?
• What must lone workers do when using individual train detection before fouling the track?
• In the event of an emergency, how should track safety be ensured?
• What must be included in the on-track safety statement for lone workers?
• Where and when should employees expect the movement of trains, engines, or cars?
• How are yard limits denoted in railway operations?
• For an employee to operate under OCS, they must remain within what specific contextual guidelines?
• Why is a green flag never used to release a train from yellow-red flag requirements?
• What type of flags or lights are permissible for temporary track conditions?
• Who should be contacted at the first available means when a condition exists?
• Which of the following acronyms refers to a crossover that is located to the north?
• Track and time authority limits designated by a switch extend only to where?
• In what situation is it crucial for an employee to understand OCS operational protocols?
• What does SXO represent in railway operations?
• When cars are shoved on the main track or controlled siding, what is the maximum speed allowed for freight trains?
• What should be done when a track condition requires protection?
• In what situation can maintenance work on a siding commence without prior approval?
• How does communication impact procedures under OCS?
• What should be used to advise a train dispatcher of a restriction?
• When is it permissible to display a green flag?
• What must an employee requesting track and time provide?
• What does a full railroad flagging kit consist of?
• What defines adjacent tracks in railway terminology?
• What must be established when employees are unable to obtain authority and need to foul or occupy a main track?
• What action is required if the rear of the train does not clear the restricted area?
• What is the correct action if an employee receives a joint authority that overlaps with another's?
• What happens if an employee cannot clear OCS limits before time expires?
• To indicate a communication is complete and no response is expected, what should a transmitting employee say?
• What material should flags used for day signals be made from?
• What is the significance of multiple main tracks?
• What should be done when a restricted area is too close to a terminal to display a yellow flag two miles in advance?
• In which situation must a flagman thoroughly explain the reason for stopping a train?
• Emergency calls on the radio should start with which phrase?
• When should malfunctioning radios be used?
• When is it not necessary for an employee to repeat a transmission?
• How will restricted limits be designated?
• What is required of a train encountering a displayed red flag?
• What is the function of yard limits (YL) in railway operations?
• What constitutes an acceptable communication method for employees giving protection?
• How do crew members proceed if a yellow-red flag is displayed without specified restrictions?
• How will Maintenance of Way employees determine the location of a train after receiving authority to occupy the track?
• When may on-track equipment make trailing point movements through variable switches?
• What must employees or on-track equipment do before occupying main track where OCS is in effect?
• What should be done prior to conducting inspections on passing trains?
• What must an employee do after using the hand brakes?
• What must be specified when a foul time request is made?
• What is the requirement for appliances used to give and display signals?
• How are yellow-red flags displayed when the restricted area is close to a terminal?
• Which abbreviation refers to a west crossover in railway operations?
• What is an important condition regarding employee behavior on duty?
• What is the primary responsibility of the operator of on-track equipment?
• What is the purpose of Centralized Traffic Control (CTC)?
• What is the primary responsibility of the dispatcher when it comes to track time requests?
• Which of the following best describes an effective locking device in relation to a switch or derail?
• When a condition exists that requires the restriction of a train, how should this be communicated?
• At what speed must all movements be made in restricted limits?
• How will employees be notified of a new timetable going into effect?
• When transmitting numbers, what must be done with single digit numbers?
• What must an employee do to request foul time?
• How should track personnel ensure safety when they are not certain of track conditions?
• What must a transmitting employee say to indicate communication is complete and a response is expected?
• Who is responsible for maintaining a safe braking distance between on-track equipment?
• How should maintenance work on a siding be conducted?
• What is a key requirement when operating under OCS conditions?
• What best describes double track in railroad terminology?
• Under track warrant control, what is necessary for a train to occupy a main track?
• What happens once the "OK" time is received for foul time?
• What does DT signify in railroad operations?
• What does EBCS stand for in train signal terminology?
• What must be done with speed restriction signs prior to a permanent speed restriction?
• How are multiple tracks designated when viewing them in a northward or eastward timetable direction?
• What does EXO indicate in the railroad system?
• What do the numbers on permanent speed restriction signs indicate?