BNSF CONDUCTOR FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% PASS.
A track extending through yards and between stations
that must not be occupied without authority or
protection. - ANS Main Track
A fixed signal at the entrance of a block that governs
trains entering and using that block. - ANS Block Signal
A notice containing track bulletin restrictions and other
conditions affecting train movement. - ANS General Track Bulletin
A series of consecutive blocks governed by block
signals, cab signals, or both. The signals are activated
by a train or by certain conditions that affect the block
use. - ANS Automatic Block Signal System (ABS)
Two or more main tracks that are used according to the
timetable. - ANS Multiple Main Tracks
Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1A - ANS Good Faith Challenge
A. Right to Challenge
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 1
,Federal Regulations have provisions that allow an employee the right to challenge a directive
which, based upon the employee's good faith determination, would violate a railroad operating
rule relating to:
• Shoving movements.
• Leaving equipment foul of an adjacent track.
or
• Handling of hand-operated switches or fixed derails.
Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1B - ANS B. Good Faith Challenge Procedure
1. An employee may inform a supervisor issuing a directive that a good faith determination has
been made that the directive would violate a railroad operating rule relating to:
• Shoving movements.
• Leaving equipment foul of an adjacent track.
or
• Handling of hand-operated switches or fixed derails.
2. The supervisor will not require the employee to comply with the directive until the challenge
is resolved. The supervisor may:
• Require the challenging employee to perform other tasks not related to the challenge until the
challenge is resolved.
or
• Direct an employee, other than the challenging employee, to perform the challenged task
before the challenge is resolved. Employee so directed will be informed of the challenge, and
determine that the challenged task does not violate the rules.
Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1C - ANS C. Resolving Good Faith Challenge
1. A challenge may be resolved by one of the following:
• The supervisor's acceptance of the employee's request.
• An employee's acceptance of the directive.
• An employee's agreement to a compromise solution acceptable to the person issuing the
directive.
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 2
,2. If the challenge cannot be resolved because the supervisor issuing the directive has
determined that the employee's challenge has not been made in good faith or there is no
alternative to the direct order, the railroad will:
• Provide immediate review by at least one manager, which must not be conducted bythe
supervisor issuing the challenged directive or that supervisor's subordinate.
• Resolve the challenge using the same options available for resolving the challenge as the
initial supervisor.
3. If the manager making the final decision concludes that the challenged directive would not
cause the employee to violate any requirement of the involved rules, the reviewing manager's
decision shall be final and not subject to further immediate review.
• The manager will inform the employee that Federal law may protect the employee from
retaliation, if the employee's refusal to do the work is a lawful, good faith act.
• The employee making the challenge will be afforded an opportunity to document, in writing
or electronically, any protest to the manager making the final decision before the employee's
tour of duty is complete. The employee will be afforded the opportunity to retain a copy of the
protest.
Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1D - ANS D. Request for Review and Verification of Decision
Upon written request, at the time of the challenge, the employee has the right for further
review by the "Designated Review Manager". Within 30 days after the expiration of the month
during which the challenge occurred, the "Designated Review Manager" will verify the proper
application of the rule in question. The verification decision shall be made in writing to the
employee.
Duties of Crew Members Rule 1.47 - ANS The conductor and the engineer are responsible for
the safety and protection of their train and observance of the rules. They must ensure that their
subordinates are familiar with their duties, determine the extent of their experience and
knowledge of the rules. They must instruct them, when necessary, how to perform their work
properly and safely. If any conditions are not covered by the rules, they must take precautions
to provide protection.
Duties of Crew Members Rule 1.47A - ANS A. Conductor Responsibilities
1. The conductor supervises the operation and administration of the train (if trains are
combined with more than one conductor on board, the conductor with the most seniority takes
charge). All
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 3
, persons employed on the train must obey the conductor's instructions, unless the instructions
endanger the train's safety or violate the rules. If any doubts arise concerning the authority
for proceeding or safety, the conductor must consult with the engineer who will be equally
responsible for the safety and proper handling of the train.
2. The conductor must advise the engineer and train dispatcher of any restriction placed on
equipment being handled.
3. The conductor must remind the engineer that the train is approaching an area restricted by:
• Limits of authority.
• Track warrant.
• Track bulletin.
or
• Radio speed restriction.
The conductor must inform the engineer after the train passes the last station, but at least 2
miles from the restriction.
4. When the conductor is not present, other crew members must obey the instructions of the
engineer concerning rules, safety, and protection of the train.
5. Freight conductors are responsible for the freight carried by their train. They are also
responsible for ensuring that the freight is delivered with any accompanying documents to its
destination or
terminals. Freight conductors must maintain any required records.
Duties of Crew Members Rule 1.47B - ANS B. Engineer Responsibilities
1. The engineer is responsible for safely and efficiently operating the engine. Crew members
must obey the engineer's instructions that concern operating the engine. A student engineer or
other qualified employee may operate the engine under close supervision of the engineer. Any
employee that operates an engine must have a current certificate in their possession.
2. The engineer must check with the conductor to determine if any cars or units in the train
require special handling.
Duties of Crew Members Rule 1.47C - ANS C. All Crew Members' Responsibilities
1. To ensure the train is operated safely and rules are observed, all crew members must act
responsibly to prevent accidents or rule violations. Crew members in the engine control
compartment must communicate to each other any restrictions or other known conditions that
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 4
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% PASS.
A track extending through yards and between stations
that must not be occupied without authority or
protection. - ANS Main Track
A fixed signal at the entrance of a block that governs
trains entering and using that block. - ANS Block Signal
A notice containing track bulletin restrictions and other
conditions affecting train movement. - ANS General Track Bulletin
A series of consecutive blocks governed by block
signals, cab signals, or both. The signals are activated
by a train or by certain conditions that affect the block
use. - ANS Automatic Block Signal System (ABS)
Two or more main tracks that are used according to the
timetable. - ANS Multiple Main Tracks
Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1A - ANS Good Faith Challenge
A. Right to Challenge
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 1
,Federal Regulations have provisions that allow an employee the right to challenge a directive
which, based upon the employee's good faith determination, would violate a railroad operating
rule relating to:
• Shoving movements.
• Leaving equipment foul of an adjacent track.
or
• Handling of hand-operated switches or fixed derails.
Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1B - ANS B. Good Faith Challenge Procedure
1. An employee may inform a supervisor issuing a directive that a good faith determination has
been made that the directive would violate a railroad operating rule relating to:
• Shoving movements.
• Leaving equipment foul of an adjacent track.
or
• Handling of hand-operated switches or fixed derails.
2. The supervisor will not require the employee to comply with the directive until the challenge
is resolved. The supervisor may:
• Require the challenging employee to perform other tasks not related to the challenge until the
challenge is resolved.
or
• Direct an employee, other than the challenging employee, to perform the challenged task
before the challenge is resolved. Employee so directed will be informed of the challenge, and
determine that the challenged task does not violate the rules.
Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1C - ANS C. Resolving Good Faith Challenge
1. A challenge may be resolved by one of the following:
• The supervisor's acceptance of the employee's request.
• An employee's acceptance of the directive.
• An employee's agreement to a compromise solution acceptable to the person issuing the
directive.
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 2
,2. If the challenge cannot be resolved because the supervisor issuing the directive has
determined that the employee's challenge has not been made in good faith or there is no
alternative to the direct order, the railroad will:
• Provide immediate review by at least one manager, which must not be conducted bythe
supervisor issuing the challenged directive or that supervisor's subordinate.
• Resolve the challenge using the same options available for resolving the challenge as the
initial supervisor.
3. If the manager making the final decision concludes that the challenged directive would not
cause the employee to violate any requirement of the involved rules, the reviewing manager's
decision shall be final and not subject to further immediate review.
• The manager will inform the employee that Federal law may protect the employee from
retaliation, if the employee's refusal to do the work is a lawful, good faith act.
• The employee making the challenge will be afforded an opportunity to document, in writing
or electronically, any protest to the manager making the final decision before the employee's
tour of duty is complete. The employee will be afforded the opportunity to retain a copy of the
protest.
Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1D - ANS D. Request for Review and Verification of Decision
Upon written request, at the time of the challenge, the employee has the right for further
review by the "Designated Review Manager". Within 30 days after the expiration of the month
during which the challenge occurred, the "Designated Review Manager" will verify the proper
application of the rule in question. The verification decision shall be made in writing to the
employee.
Duties of Crew Members Rule 1.47 - ANS The conductor and the engineer are responsible for
the safety and protection of their train and observance of the rules. They must ensure that their
subordinates are familiar with their duties, determine the extent of their experience and
knowledge of the rules. They must instruct them, when necessary, how to perform their work
properly and safely. If any conditions are not covered by the rules, they must take precautions
to provide protection.
Duties of Crew Members Rule 1.47A - ANS A. Conductor Responsibilities
1. The conductor supervises the operation and administration of the train (if trains are
combined with more than one conductor on board, the conductor with the most seniority takes
charge). All
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 3
, persons employed on the train must obey the conductor's instructions, unless the instructions
endanger the train's safety or violate the rules. If any doubts arise concerning the authority
for proceeding or safety, the conductor must consult with the engineer who will be equally
responsible for the safety and proper handling of the train.
2. The conductor must advise the engineer and train dispatcher of any restriction placed on
equipment being handled.
3. The conductor must remind the engineer that the train is approaching an area restricted by:
• Limits of authority.
• Track warrant.
• Track bulletin.
or
• Radio speed restriction.
The conductor must inform the engineer after the train passes the last station, but at least 2
miles from the restriction.
4. When the conductor is not present, other crew members must obey the instructions of the
engineer concerning rules, safety, and protection of the train.
5. Freight conductors are responsible for the freight carried by their train. They are also
responsible for ensuring that the freight is delivered with any accompanying documents to its
destination or
terminals. Freight conductors must maintain any required records.
Duties of Crew Members Rule 1.47B - ANS B. Engineer Responsibilities
1. The engineer is responsible for safely and efficiently operating the engine. Crew members
must obey the engineer's instructions that concern operating the engine. A student engineer or
other qualified employee may operate the engine under close supervision of the engineer. Any
employee that operates an engine must have a current certificate in their possession.
2. The engineer must check with the conductor to determine if any cars or units in the train
require special handling.
Duties of Crew Members Rule 1.47C - ANS C. All Crew Members' Responsibilities
1. To ensure the train is operated safely and rules are observed, all crew members must act
responsibly to prevent accidents or rule violations. Crew members in the engine control
compartment must communicate to each other any restrictions or other known conditions that
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 4
