Union Pacific GCOR Examination
Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of the General Code of Operating
Rules (GCOR)?
A. To regulate employee wages
B. To provide uniform operating rules for railroad safety
C. To manage freight pricing
D. To govern locomotive manufacturing
Answer: B
Rationale: GCOR establishes standardized operating rules to ensure
safe and efficient railroad operations across multiple carriers.
2. Who is responsible for compliance with GCOR rules?
A. Only train dispatchers
B. Only supervisors
C. All employees whose duties are affected by the rules
D. Only engineers
,Answer: C
Rationale: GCOR applies to all employees involved in railroad
operations, not just specific job titles.
3. What does a “Restricted Speed” require?
A. Maximum authorized speed
B. Ability to stop within half the range of vision
C. Speed determined by dispatcher only
D. Speed above 50 MPH
Answer: B
Rationale: Restricted speed requires stopping within half the range of
vision short of train, obstruction, or switch improperly lined.
4. When must a job briefing be conducted?
A. Only at the start of the week
B. Before beginning any work activity
C. Only when requested by management
D. After completing work
Answer: B
Rationale: GCOR requires job briefings before starting work to ensure
understanding of tasks and safety hazards.
5. What is the authority for a train to occupy a main track?
,A. Verbal permission
B. Written or verbal track authority such as track warrant or signal
indication
C. Yardmaster approval only
D. Radio conversation only
Answer: B
Rationale: Movement authority must come from proper track
authority systems like signals or track warrants.
6. A red signal indicates:
A. Proceed at restricted speed
B. Stop and do not proceed
C. Proceed prepared to stop
D. Yard limits only
Answer: B
Rationale: A red signal is an absolute stop indication unless otherwise
authorized by rule.
7. What must an employee do if unsure about a rule application?
A. Guess the safest option
B. Continue working
C. Stop and ask a supervisor or qualified employee
D. Ignore the rule
, Answer: C
Rationale: Employees must seek clarification to ensure safe and
compliant operations.
8. A train dispatcher is responsible for:
A. Mechanical repairs
B. Directing train movements safely
C. Loading freight cars
D. Fueling locomotives
Answer: B
Rationale: Dispatchers control train movements over controlled
territory.
9. What is the meaning of “main track”?
A. Any track in a yard
B. A track designated for train movement outside yard limits
C. A storage track
D. A maintenance track
Answer: B
Rationale: Main track is used for through train movements and is
governed by specific operating rules.
10. Authority to occupy a track must be:
Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of the General Code of Operating
Rules (GCOR)?
A. To regulate employee wages
B. To provide uniform operating rules for railroad safety
C. To manage freight pricing
D. To govern locomotive manufacturing
Answer: B
Rationale: GCOR establishes standardized operating rules to ensure
safe and efficient railroad operations across multiple carriers.
2. Who is responsible for compliance with GCOR rules?
A. Only train dispatchers
B. Only supervisors
C. All employees whose duties are affected by the rules
D. Only engineers
,Answer: C
Rationale: GCOR applies to all employees involved in railroad
operations, not just specific job titles.
3. What does a “Restricted Speed” require?
A. Maximum authorized speed
B. Ability to stop within half the range of vision
C. Speed determined by dispatcher only
D. Speed above 50 MPH
Answer: B
Rationale: Restricted speed requires stopping within half the range of
vision short of train, obstruction, or switch improperly lined.
4. When must a job briefing be conducted?
A. Only at the start of the week
B. Before beginning any work activity
C. Only when requested by management
D. After completing work
Answer: B
Rationale: GCOR requires job briefings before starting work to ensure
understanding of tasks and safety hazards.
5. What is the authority for a train to occupy a main track?
,A. Verbal permission
B. Written or verbal track authority such as track warrant or signal
indication
C. Yardmaster approval only
D. Radio conversation only
Answer: B
Rationale: Movement authority must come from proper track
authority systems like signals or track warrants.
6. A red signal indicates:
A. Proceed at restricted speed
B. Stop and do not proceed
C. Proceed prepared to stop
D. Yard limits only
Answer: B
Rationale: A red signal is an absolute stop indication unless otherwise
authorized by rule.
7. What must an employee do if unsure about a rule application?
A. Guess the safest option
B. Continue working
C. Stop and ask a supervisor or qualified employee
D. Ignore the rule
, Answer: C
Rationale: Employees must seek clarification to ensure safe and
compliant operations.
8. A train dispatcher is responsible for:
A. Mechanical repairs
B. Directing train movements safely
C. Loading freight cars
D. Fueling locomotives
Answer: B
Rationale: Dispatchers control train movements over controlled
territory.
9. What is the meaning of “main track”?
A. Any track in a yard
B. A track designated for train movement outside yard limits
C. A storage track
D. A maintenance track
Answer: B
Rationale: Main track is used for through train movements and is
governed by specific operating rules.
10. Authority to occupy a track must be:
