NS CONDUCTOR RULES EXAM QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS 2026/2027 – HIGH SCORING GRADED
A+ EDITION.
◎ At the end of your tour of duty who is responsible for claiming pay?. ANSWER: - The
employee to be paid or the employee authorized to make claims for the crew or group of
workers.
◎ Employees must report to work at the designated time and place when called ready
to perform service, if you are unable to work or want time off what should you do?.
ANSWER: - Submit the request to the proper authority and Sufficiently in advance to
allow the vacancy to be filled
◎ Which hand signal is at a right angle to the track with slight horizontal movement?.
ANSWER: - Reduce Speed
◎ What hand signal is swing at right angle to the track?. ANSWER: - Stop
◎ What hand signal is held at arm's length above the head when equipment is
standing?. ANSWER: - Release Air Brakes
◎ Who authorizes a utility employee to work as a member of a train or yard crew?.
ANSWER: - The ranking crewmember
◎ True or False: You're operating a crossover on other than the main track, signaled
track, or siding tracks. You are allowed to leave the crossover switches in opposite
linings (one in straight the other in crossover).. ANSWER: - False
◎ What is the normal position of a derailer on all tracks?. ANSWER: - Derailing position
◎ Before lining a switch or derail the employee must ensure any preceding movement
has passed the clearance point and what other items? Select All That Apply. ANSWER:
- A) The device is not locked, clamped, spiked, or tagged out of service.
B)No obstructions will interfere with normal movement of the switch points or the handle
◎ If a lock is found to be defective or missing what should you do? Select all that apply.
ANSWER: - Report the missing lock to the dispatcher
Be governed by his/her instructions
◎ You are switching on a yard and throw 4 switches in the process. After performing
this what is the next step for you?. ANSWER: - To make certain the devices is properly
lined for intended movements and the switch points fit properly.
, ◎ What is a system of tracks other than main tracks and sidings and is used for making
up trains, storing cars, and other purposes?. ANSWER: - Yard
◎ What is the location near a turnout beyond which it is unsafe for passage on an
adjacent track and unsafe for an employee to ride the side of equipment on the adjacent
track?. ANSWER: - Clearance Point
◎ What is a track connection between two adjacent, but not necessarily parallel, tracks
consisting of two switches whose primary purpose is to allow crossing from one track to
the other?. ANSWER: - Crossover
◎ What is a device consisting of necessary rails and connections designed to change
the direction of a movement from the track on which it is moving to another track?.
ANSWER: - Switch
◎ What is the distance you should stand from a switch or derail associated with the
route of a passing train?. ANSWER: - 30 feet
◎ When crossing tracks with standing cars in the tracks what must the employee do
before crossing? Select all that apply. ANSWER: - 1) Cross more than 25 feet from the
end of standing cars
2)stop and look both ways
◎ When dismounting from equipment what must you do? Select all that apply.
ANSWER: - 1) Stop at the bottom step or ladder rung to ensure solid footing before
dismounting.
2) Ensure a safe area to dismount clear of obstructions
◎ When crossing over a piece of equipment utilizing 3 points of contact what must you
not do?. ANSWER: - Step on any part of the hand brake, cut lever, angle cock, coupler,
or components of the cushion underframe.
◎ When riding on equipment maintaining 3 points of contact and being prepared for
slack or unexpected movements what else must you do?. ANSWER: - Position body
facing the equipment and look direction of travel
◎ Do not ride on equipment unless the equipment is equipped with what?. ANSWER: -
A horizontal grab iron at least 12 inches above the floor of the car or at least one vertical
grab iron that allowed the employee to stand upright
◎ True or False: When riding on a locomotive you are allowed to occupy the side
walkways when moving up to 20 miles per hour.. ANSWER: - True
◎ What is required if you are approaching a close clearance or close clearance sign
while riding equipment?. ANSWER: - Dismount
SOLUTIONS 2026/2027 – HIGH SCORING GRADED
A+ EDITION.
◎ At the end of your tour of duty who is responsible for claiming pay?. ANSWER: - The
employee to be paid or the employee authorized to make claims for the crew or group of
workers.
◎ Employees must report to work at the designated time and place when called ready
to perform service, if you are unable to work or want time off what should you do?.
ANSWER: - Submit the request to the proper authority and Sufficiently in advance to
allow the vacancy to be filled
◎ Which hand signal is at a right angle to the track with slight horizontal movement?.
ANSWER: - Reduce Speed
◎ What hand signal is swing at right angle to the track?. ANSWER: - Stop
◎ What hand signal is held at arm's length above the head when equipment is
standing?. ANSWER: - Release Air Brakes
◎ Who authorizes a utility employee to work as a member of a train or yard crew?.
ANSWER: - The ranking crewmember
◎ True or False: You're operating a crossover on other than the main track, signaled
track, or siding tracks. You are allowed to leave the crossover switches in opposite
linings (one in straight the other in crossover).. ANSWER: - False
◎ What is the normal position of a derailer on all tracks?. ANSWER: - Derailing position
◎ Before lining a switch or derail the employee must ensure any preceding movement
has passed the clearance point and what other items? Select All That Apply. ANSWER:
- A) The device is not locked, clamped, spiked, or tagged out of service.
B)No obstructions will interfere with normal movement of the switch points or the handle
◎ If a lock is found to be defective or missing what should you do? Select all that apply.
ANSWER: - Report the missing lock to the dispatcher
Be governed by his/her instructions
◎ You are switching on a yard and throw 4 switches in the process. After performing
this what is the next step for you?. ANSWER: - To make certain the devices is properly
lined for intended movements and the switch points fit properly.
, ◎ What is a system of tracks other than main tracks and sidings and is used for making
up trains, storing cars, and other purposes?. ANSWER: - Yard
◎ What is the location near a turnout beyond which it is unsafe for passage on an
adjacent track and unsafe for an employee to ride the side of equipment on the adjacent
track?. ANSWER: - Clearance Point
◎ What is a track connection between two adjacent, but not necessarily parallel, tracks
consisting of two switches whose primary purpose is to allow crossing from one track to
the other?. ANSWER: - Crossover
◎ What is a device consisting of necessary rails and connections designed to change
the direction of a movement from the track on which it is moving to another track?.
ANSWER: - Switch
◎ What is the distance you should stand from a switch or derail associated with the
route of a passing train?. ANSWER: - 30 feet
◎ When crossing tracks with standing cars in the tracks what must the employee do
before crossing? Select all that apply. ANSWER: - 1) Cross more than 25 feet from the
end of standing cars
2)stop and look both ways
◎ When dismounting from equipment what must you do? Select all that apply.
ANSWER: - 1) Stop at the bottom step or ladder rung to ensure solid footing before
dismounting.
2) Ensure a safe area to dismount clear of obstructions
◎ When crossing over a piece of equipment utilizing 3 points of contact what must you
not do?. ANSWER: - Step on any part of the hand brake, cut lever, angle cock, coupler,
or components of the cushion underframe.
◎ When riding on equipment maintaining 3 points of contact and being prepared for
slack or unexpected movements what else must you do?. ANSWER: - Position body
facing the equipment and look direction of travel
◎ Do not ride on equipment unless the equipment is equipped with what?. ANSWER: -
A horizontal grab iron at least 12 inches above the floor of the car or at least one vertical
grab iron that allowed the employee to stand upright
◎ True or False: When riding on a locomotive you are allowed to occupy the side
walkways when moving up to 20 miles per hour.. ANSWER: - True
◎ What is required if you are approaching a close clearance or close clearance sign
while riding equipment?. ANSWER: - Dismount
