FRA TIER 2 COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
2026 FULLY SOLVED QUESTION SET
◉A non class specific defect has been in over 30 days without being
repaired. What action should be taken? Answer: At the expiration of
the 30 day period, the defects must be repaired, track placed into
accepted track status, or the track must be removed from service.
VOL2 TSS 2.1.20
◉When measuring track to determine if it is in compliance with FRA
and BNSF requirements, it must be measured as if it were ____________
Answer: Under load In addition to the static (unloaded) geometry
measurements taken the amount of visually detectable dynamic
(loaded) deflection that occurs under train movement must be
considered. 213.13 VOL2 TSS 2.1.24
◉On class 4 track, gage is measured at 57" while not under load.
1/8" gap is observed between the tie plate shoulder and the field
side base of the rail tie plate. Also 1/4" outward plate movement is
measured on the field side of the right rail and 3/8" outward plate
movement on the field side of the left rail. What is the correct
remedial action for this location? Answer: Impose a speed
restriction until track can be brought into compliance. Drop to Class
3 speed as the gage measured equals 57 3/4 and that is too wide for
class 4 track.
,VOL2 TSS 2.1.30 (See chart for restrictions gage)
◉The FRA requires Alignment to be measured with what lengths of
chords: A. Tangent Track, B. Curved track classes 1 and 2, C. Curved
track classes 3 to 5 Answer: A. 62 foot line
B. 62 foot chord
C. 62 chord or 31 foot chord
You can only use a 62 foot chord on class 1 and 2 curved track but
can use 62 and 31 foot chord on curved 3 through 5 track.
VOL2 TSS 2.1.31
◉Alignment in the full body of a curve is evaluated by measuring
______ feet of the curve at how many stations and at what spacing are
the stations. Answer: 248' of the curve. A 62' cord can be used to
take the alignement measuremens at 15'6" spacing stations, don't
confuse cord length with station spacing. For curve classes 3-5 use
BOTH the 31' & 62' cords at the same 17 stations spaced 15'6" apart
over the 248' window.
VOL 2 TSS 2.1.33
◉Which rail is used as the line rail when taking the alignment
measurements in a curve? Answer: In curves the mid ordinate,
alternatively called mid-chord offset (MCO), requires stations to be
marked at regular intervals On the high rail in both directions from
the point of concern.
, VOL 2 TSS 2.1.33
◉After string lining a curve for alignment and getting the following
9 readings, what is the largest deviation from uniformity or average
you find? 1 1/4, 1 7/8,
1 13/16, 2 1/4, 2 1/16, 3 1/16, 2 1/4, 1 3/4, 1 3/16
A. What class of track is this curve good for? Answer: -Total all
measurements
-Average all measurements( divide the sum by the # of
measurements)
-Round up (use the chart in the student guide)
-Subtract the average from the largest and smallest measurements.
-The bigger # is the Maximum Deviation.
◉Using a 62' string line, you measure 1'3/16" misalignment in
tangent rack as shown in the sketch above. What is the maximum
freight speed allowed by FRA standards? Answer: Class 4 60 MPH
VOL2 TSS 2.1.30 and 2.1.17
◉The three things that are required in determining what the proper
elevation is required in a curve are Answer: 1. Ea = Actual elevation
of the outside rail (inches) = Actual elevation, Ea, for each feet foot
track segment in the body of the curve is determined by averaging
the elevation for 11 points through the segment at 15.5 foot spacing.
2026 FULLY SOLVED QUESTION SET
◉A non class specific defect has been in over 30 days without being
repaired. What action should be taken? Answer: At the expiration of
the 30 day period, the defects must be repaired, track placed into
accepted track status, or the track must be removed from service.
VOL2 TSS 2.1.20
◉When measuring track to determine if it is in compliance with FRA
and BNSF requirements, it must be measured as if it were ____________
Answer: Under load In addition to the static (unloaded) geometry
measurements taken the amount of visually detectable dynamic
(loaded) deflection that occurs under train movement must be
considered. 213.13 VOL2 TSS 2.1.24
◉On class 4 track, gage is measured at 57" while not under load.
1/8" gap is observed between the tie plate shoulder and the field
side base of the rail tie plate. Also 1/4" outward plate movement is
measured on the field side of the right rail and 3/8" outward plate
movement on the field side of the left rail. What is the correct
remedial action for this location? Answer: Impose a speed
restriction until track can be brought into compliance. Drop to Class
3 speed as the gage measured equals 57 3/4 and that is too wide for
class 4 track.
,VOL2 TSS 2.1.30 (See chart for restrictions gage)
◉The FRA requires Alignment to be measured with what lengths of
chords: A. Tangent Track, B. Curved track classes 1 and 2, C. Curved
track classes 3 to 5 Answer: A. 62 foot line
B. 62 foot chord
C. 62 chord or 31 foot chord
You can only use a 62 foot chord on class 1 and 2 curved track but
can use 62 and 31 foot chord on curved 3 through 5 track.
VOL2 TSS 2.1.31
◉Alignment in the full body of a curve is evaluated by measuring
______ feet of the curve at how many stations and at what spacing are
the stations. Answer: 248' of the curve. A 62' cord can be used to
take the alignement measuremens at 15'6" spacing stations, don't
confuse cord length with station spacing. For curve classes 3-5 use
BOTH the 31' & 62' cords at the same 17 stations spaced 15'6" apart
over the 248' window.
VOL 2 TSS 2.1.33
◉Which rail is used as the line rail when taking the alignment
measurements in a curve? Answer: In curves the mid ordinate,
alternatively called mid-chord offset (MCO), requires stations to be
marked at regular intervals On the high rail in both directions from
the point of concern.
, VOL 2 TSS 2.1.33
◉After string lining a curve for alignment and getting the following
9 readings, what is the largest deviation from uniformity or average
you find? 1 1/4, 1 7/8,
1 13/16, 2 1/4, 2 1/16, 3 1/16, 2 1/4, 1 3/4, 1 3/16
A. What class of track is this curve good for? Answer: -Total all
measurements
-Average all measurements( divide the sum by the # of
measurements)
-Round up (use the chart in the student guide)
-Subtract the average from the largest and smallest measurements.
-The bigger # is the Maximum Deviation.
◉Using a 62' string line, you measure 1'3/16" misalignment in
tangent rack as shown in the sketch above. What is the maximum
freight speed allowed by FRA standards? Answer: Class 4 60 MPH
VOL2 TSS 2.1.30 and 2.1.17
◉The three things that are required in determining what the proper
elevation is required in a curve are Answer: 1. Ea = Actual elevation
of the outside rail (inches) = Actual elevation, Ea, for each feet foot
track segment in the body of the curve is determined by averaging
the elevation for 11 points through the segment at 15.5 foot spacing.
