BNSF MAINTENANCE OF WAY OPERATING
RULES COMPLETE -QUESTION EXAM BANK
LATEST UPDATE - 2026
1. What action must an employee take when they observe an unsafe
condition on the track?
Answer: Take immediate action to protect safety
Rationale: Safety is the primary responsibility; reporting later or ignoring the
issue is unacceptable. The employee must act to prevent harm .
2. What document governs the daily operations of Maintenance of
Way employees?
Answer: The timetable and special instructions
Rationale: Daily MW operations are governed by the timetable and the
division's special instructions, which detail track configurations and local
rules .
3. What is a "Mandatory Directive" in BNSF operations?
Answer: A track warrant, track bulletin, or other formal instruction
that must be followed
Rationale: Mandatory directives are formal instructions that require
compliance, including track warrants and track bulletins .
,4. In TWC, can a train holding proceed authority (Box 2) enter the
limits of a train with "work between" authority (Box 4)?
Answer: Yes, but only if both trains are given a Box 8 informing them
the authority is joint and to operate at restricted speed within
overlapping limits
Rationale: A Box 8 instruction makes the authority "joint," allowing both
trains to occupy the same limits with specified operational restrictions .
5. True or False: In TWC, when a track warrant authorizes movement
against the Current of Traffic, the train may use either track.
Answer: False
Rationale: A track warrant authorizing movement against the Current of
Traffic specifies which track must be used, not allowing the train to choose
either track .
6. Where designated by the timetable, a track warrant will authorize
main track use under the direction of whom?
Answer: The train dispatcher
Rationale: The train dispatcher directs the issuance of track warrants and has
authority over the use of the main track within their territory .
,7. When station names are used in a track warrant, how is the
authority limit determined?
Answer: Authority extends from the last siding switch (if no siding,
from the station sign) for the first named point, and to the first siding
switch (or station sign) for the last named point
Rationale: This specific designation ensures clear, enforceable boundaries that
are understood by all train crews .
8. True or False: When a crew member informs the train dispatcher
that the entire train has passed a specific point on a proceed authority,
the track warrant authority is considered void up to that point.
Answer: True
Rationale: This is a standard procedure for releasing track authority and
allowing the dispatcher to reuse the cleared track .
9. True or False: A track warrant must not be issued to a train within
the same or overlapping limits with another train, unless specified
conditions are met.
Answer: True
Rationale: Issuing authority for overlapping or same limits creates a
significant collision risk and is only permitted under explicit, controlled
conditions (e.g., same direction, restricted speed) .
, 10. What is the primary responsibility of all Maintenance of Way
employees?
Answer: To work safely and protect themselves and others
Rationale: The fundamental duty is to ensure the safety of all workers, the
public, and equipment over other operational concerns like schedules .
11. What must employees do if a rule conflict arises?
Answer: Follow the most restrictive rule
Rationale: When rules appear to conflict, the strictest safety requirement
must be followed to prevent accidents .
12. When must MW employees clear the track?
Answer: When directed by a lookout or by the rules
Rationale: Employees must clear the track based on the lookout's warning or
the requirements of the applicable operating rules, not just when a train is
visible .
13. What are the four types of mandatory directives?
Answer: Track warrant, Track bulletin, Track and time, Radio speed
restrictions (Form A)
Rationale: These are the four official forms of mandatory directives that
govern train movements and track occupancy on the BNSF system .
RULES COMPLETE -QUESTION EXAM BANK
LATEST UPDATE - 2026
1. What action must an employee take when they observe an unsafe
condition on the track?
Answer: Take immediate action to protect safety
Rationale: Safety is the primary responsibility; reporting later or ignoring the
issue is unacceptable. The employee must act to prevent harm .
2. What document governs the daily operations of Maintenance of
Way employees?
Answer: The timetable and special instructions
Rationale: Daily MW operations are governed by the timetable and the
division's special instructions, which detail track configurations and local
rules .
3. What is a "Mandatory Directive" in BNSF operations?
Answer: A track warrant, track bulletin, or other formal instruction
that must be followed
Rationale: Mandatory directives are formal instructions that require
compliance, including track warrants and track bulletins .
,4. In TWC, can a train holding proceed authority (Box 2) enter the
limits of a train with "work between" authority (Box 4)?
Answer: Yes, but only if both trains are given a Box 8 informing them
the authority is joint and to operate at restricted speed within
overlapping limits
Rationale: A Box 8 instruction makes the authority "joint," allowing both
trains to occupy the same limits with specified operational restrictions .
5. True or False: In TWC, when a track warrant authorizes movement
against the Current of Traffic, the train may use either track.
Answer: False
Rationale: A track warrant authorizing movement against the Current of
Traffic specifies which track must be used, not allowing the train to choose
either track .
6. Where designated by the timetable, a track warrant will authorize
main track use under the direction of whom?
Answer: The train dispatcher
Rationale: The train dispatcher directs the issuance of track warrants and has
authority over the use of the main track within their territory .
,7. When station names are used in a track warrant, how is the
authority limit determined?
Answer: Authority extends from the last siding switch (if no siding,
from the station sign) for the first named point, and to the first siding
switch (or station sign) for the last named point
Rationale: This specific designation ensures clear, enforceable boundaries that
are understood by all train crews .
8. True or False: When a crew member informs the train dispatcher
that the entire train has passed a specific point on a proceed authority,
the track warrant authority is considered void up to that point.
Answer: True
Rationale: This is a standard procedure for releasing track authority and
allowing the dispatcher to reuse the cleared track .
9. True or False: A track warrant must not be issued to a train within
the same or overlapping limits with another train, unless specified
conditions are met.
Answer: True
Rationale: Issuing authority for overlapping or same limits creates a
significant collision risk and is only permitted under explicit, controlled
conditions (e.g., same direction, restricted speed) .
, 10. What is the primary responsibility of all Maintenance of Way
employees?
Answer: To work safely and protect themselves and others
Rationale: The fundamental duty is to ensure the safety of all workers, the
public, and equipment over other operational concerns like schedules .
11. What must employees do if a rule conflict arises?
Answer: Follow the most restrictive rule
Rationale: When rules appear to conflict, the strictest safety requirement
must be followed to prevent accidents .
12. When must MW employees clear the track?
Answer: When directed by a lookout or by the rules
Rationale: Employees must clear the track based on the lookout's warning or
the requirements of the applicable operating rules, not just when a train is
visible .
13. What are the four types of mandatory directives?
Answer: Track warrant, Track bulletin, Track and time, Radio speed
restrictions (Form A)
Rationale: These are the four official forms of mandatory directives that
govern train movements and track occupancy on the BNSF system .
