BNSF Questions with Correct Answers
Rail
Provides a smooth running surface to guide the wheels of a train or equipment.
Ballast
The rock foundation of the railroad which holds the track in place
Crossties
Lie on top of the ballast, distributing the weight of the train through to the ballast.
Fasteners
Keep the rail secured to the crossties
Jointed rail
Rail jointed together by an angle bar which is held in place by bolts
Continuous welded rail (CWR)
made up of long pieces of rail welded together into lengths exceeding 400 ft
Tie plate
Steel plate used on rail tracks to secure the rail to the tie
Clips
Fastens the rail to the baseplate, holding the ties tight to the rail.
Anchors
Attach to the rail baseplate and against the sides to protect against the rail sliding back and forth on
the tie
Spike
An oversized nail that is used to secure rails and base plates to the crossties
Turnout
A component that enables trains, engines, and on-track equipment to move from one track to
another
Crossover
Involves two turnouts that are connected to one another. This enables trains, engines, and on-track
equipment to cross over from one track to a parallel track.
Switch
Movable portion of a crossover or turnout that diverts rolling stock from one track to another
Switch stand
, Mechanism which controls the switch points
Switch points
The movable components of a turnout that diverts rolling stock from one track to another
Surfacing equipment
Used to repair track geometry track defects
Tie gang equipment
Used to replace ties
Rail gang equipment
used to replace rail
Temporary derails
Used to provide protection from rolling stock and can be moved or placed where needed
Permanent derail
Installed at a permanent location to prevent the movement of rolling stock into or out of that
location
Superstructure
The entire portion of a bridge that primarily receives and supports a live traffic load. It transfers the
load to the bridge substructure
Substructure
Consists of the abutments, piers, and other constructions builds to support the span(s) of a bridge
superstructure. It disperses the load down through the foundation, or supporting material, to the
ground.
Deck
Provides direct support for railroad, vehicular, and/or pedestrian access
Control signal
A fixed signal remotely controlled by a control operator
Intermediate signal
a fixed signal that operated according to train movements. These signals will have number boards as
identifiers.
Crossing warning device
Warning devices used at public grade crossings that alert if approaching train movement
Power switch
a switch machine that can be remotely controlled by a control operator to change the position of a
switch
Rail
Provides a smooth running surface to guide the wheels of a train or equipment.
Ballast
The rock foundation of the railroad which holds the track in place
Crossties
Lie on top of the ballast, distributing the weight of the train through to the ballast.
Fasteners
Keep the rail secured to the crossties
Jointed rail
Rail jointed together by an angle bar which is held in place by bolts
Continuous welded rail (CWR)
made up of long pieces of rail welded together into lengths exceeding 400 ft
Tie plate
Steel plate used on rail tracks to secure the rail to the tie
Clips
Fastens the rail to the baseplate, holding the ties tight to the rail.
Anchors
Attach to the rail baseplate and against the sides to protect against the rail sliding back and forth on
the tie
Spike
An oversized nail that is used to secure rails and base plates to the crossties
Turnout
A component that enables trains, engines, and on-track equipment to move from one track to
another
Crossover
Involves two turnouts that are connected to one another. This enables trains, engines, and on-track
equipment to cross over from one track to a parallel track.
Switch
Movable portion of a crossover or turnout that diverts rolling stock from one track to another
Switch stand
, Mechanism which controls the switch points
Switch points
The movable components of a turnout that diverts rolling stock from one track to another
Surfacing equipment
Used to repair track geometry track defects
Tie gang equipment
Used to replace ties
Rail gang equipment
used to replace rail
Temporary derails
Used to provide protection from rolling stock and can be moved or placed where needed
Permanent derail
Installed at a permanent location to prevent the movement of rolling stock into or out of that
location
Superstructure
The entire portion of a bridge that primarily receives and supports a live traffic load. It transfers the
load to the bridge substructure
Substructure
Consists of the abutments, piers, and other constructions builds to support the span(s) of a bridge
superstructure. It disperses the load down through the foundation, or supporting material, to the
ground.
Deck
Provides direct support for railroad, vehicular, and/or pedestrian access
Control signal
A fixed signal remotely controlled by a control operator
Intermediate signal
a fixed signal that operated according to train movements. These signals will have number boards as
identifiers.
Crossing warning device
Warning devices used at public grade crossings that alert if approaching train movement
Power switch
a switch machine that can be remotely controlled by a control operator to change the position of a
switch
