LIRR BLOCK OPERATOR 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
RATED A+
✔✔Foul Time - ✔✔A method of establishing working limits on a main track, secondary
track or siding in which a roadway worker is notified by the Train Dispatcher through the
Block Operator that no trains will operate within the working limits established on that
track until the roadway worker reports clear of the track.
✔✔Inaccessible Track - ✔✔A method of establishing working limits on tracks not
controlled by the Train Dispatcher or Block Operator by physically preventing the entry
and movement of trains.
✔✔Job Breifing - ✔✔When reporting for duty, employees whose duties require
coordination with other employees must hold a job briefing to review operational and
safety conditions. If these conditions change, employees must hold an additional job
briefing to discuss the new conditions.
✔✔Roadway Worker - ✔✔An employee of a railroad, or of a contractor to a railroad,
whose duties include inspection, construction, maintenance or repair of railroad track,
bridges, roadway, signal and communication systems, electric traction systems,
roadway facilities or roadway maintenance machinery on or near track or with the
potential of fouling a track and flagmen and watchmen/lookouts responsible for their
protection.
✔✔Watchman/Lookout - ✔✔A properly equipped employee that has been annually
trained on roadway worker protection whose sole duty is to provide at least 15 seconds
advanced visual and auditory warning of approaching trains or on-track equipment to
roadway workers.
✔✔Working Limits - ✔✔A segment of track with definite boundaries upon which trains
may move only as authorized by the roadway worker in charge of that segment of track.
✔✔Limited Speed - ✔✔A speed not exceeding 45 mph.
✔✔Maximum Authorized Speed (MAS) - ✔✔The highest speed that is permitted over a
specific portion of the railroad, it may be authorized by the special instructions of the
current timetable, rules of the operating department or any other publication authorized
by the general superintendent - transportation
✔✔Medium Speed - ✔✔A speed not exceeding 30 mph, except in ASC territory, train
will be governed by speed displayed on the cab signal indicator not to exceed 40 mph.
✔✔Reduced Speed - ✔✔A speed at which a train can be stopped short of another train
or obstruction.
, ✔✔Restricted Speed (RS) - ✔✔A mode of operation, at which a train can be stopped
within one half the range of vision, short of the next signal, another train, obstruction,
derail, or switch improperly lined, looking out for broken rail or crossing protection not
functioning, not exceeding 15 miles per hour.
✔✔Slow Speed - ✔✔A speed not exceeding 15 mph, except in ASC territory, train will
be governed by speed displayed on the cab signal indicator not to exceed 30 mph.
✔✔Automatic Safety Switch - ✔✔A switch identified by a yellow switch stand. Trains
may make trailing point moves through the switch without previously aligning it by hand
unless otherwise specified.
✔✔Crossover - ✔✔A track connection between two adjacent, not necessarily parallel
tracks, consisting of a minimum of two switches, which is intended to be used primarily
for the purpose of crossing over from one track to another.
✔✔Derail - ✔✔A track safety device, fixed or portable, designed to guide a car off the
rails at a selected location on a track as a means of protection against collisions or other
accidents.
✔✔Dual Control Switch - ✔✔A power-operated switch also equipped for hand
operation.
✔✔Electric Lock Switch - ✔✔A hand-operated switch equipped with an electrical device
that restricts the movement of the switch.
✔✔Hand-Operated Switch - ✔✔A switch that must be aligned by hand before a train
makes a trailing point movement through the switch.
✔✔Interlocking Switch - ✔✔A switch within interlocking limits controlled by the Block
Operator or Train Dispatcher working in conjunction with interlocking signals and other
interlocking appliances.
✔✔Spring Switch - ✔✔A switch equipped with a spring mechanism that will restore the
switch points to the normal position after having been trailed through.
✔✔Block-Limit Station - ✔✔A place at which a block-limit signal is displayed.
✔✔Block Station - ✔✔A place at which manual block signals are displayed.
✔✔Interlocking Station - ✔✔A place from which an interlocking is operated.
✔✔Passenger Station - ✔✔A place at which trains are scheduled to receive and/or
discharge passengers.
RATED A+
✔✔Foul Time - ✔✔A method of establishing working limits on a main track, secondary
track or siding in which a roadway worker is notified by the Train Dispatcher through the
Block Operator that no trains will operate within the working limits established on that
track until the roadway worker reports clear of the track.
✔✔Inaccessible Track - ✔✔A method of establishing working limits on tracks not
controlled by the Train Dispatcher or Block Operator by physically preventing the entry
and movement of trains.
✔✔Job Breifing - ✔✔When reporting for duty, employees whose duties require
coordination with other employees must hold a job briefing to review operational and
safety conditions. If these conditions change, employees must hold an additional job
briefing to discuss the new conditions.
✔✔Roadway Worker - ✔✔An employee of a railroad, or of a contractor to a railroad,
whose duties include inspection, construction, maintenance or repair of railroad track,
bridges, roadway, signal and communication systems, electric traction systems,
roadway facilities or roadway maintenance machinery on or near track or with the
potential of fouling a track and flagmen and watchmen/lookouts responsible for their
protection.
✔✔Watchman/Lookout - ✔✔A properly equipped employee that has been annually
trained on roadway worker protection whose sole duty is to provide at least 15 seconds
advanced visual and auditory warning of approaching trains or on-track equipment to
roadway workers.
✔✔Working Limits - ✔✔A segment of track with definite boundaries upon which trains
may move only as authorized by the roadway worker in charge of that segment of track.
✔✔Limited Speed - ✔✔A speed not exceeding 45 mph.
✔✔Maximum Authorized Speed (MAS) - ✔✔The highest speed that is permitted over a
specific portion of the railroad, it may be authorized by the special instructions of the
current timetable, rules of the operating department or any other publication authorized
by the general superintendent - transportation
✔✔Medium Speed - ✔✔A speed not exceeding 30 mph, except in ASC territory, train
will be governed by speed displayed on the cab signal indicator not to exceed 40 mph.
✔✔Reduced Speed - ✔✔A speed at which a train can be stopped short of another train
or obstruction.
, ✔✔Restricted Speed (RS) - ✔✔A mode of operation, at which a train can be stopped
within one half the range of vision, short of the next signal, another train, obstruction,
derail, or switch improperly lined, looking out for broken rail or crossing protection not
functioning, not exceeding 15 miles per hour.
✔✔Slow Speed - ✔✔A speed not exceeding 15 mph, except in ASC territory, train will
be governed by speed displayed on the cab signal indicator not to exceed 30 mph.
✔✔Automatic Safety Switch - ✔✔A switch identified by a yellow switch stand. Trains
may make trailing point moves through the switch without previously aligning it by hand
unless otherwise specified.
✔✔Crossover - ✔✔A track connection between two adjacent, not necessarily parallel
tracks, consisting of a minimum of two switches, which is intended to be used primarily
for the purpose of crossing over from one track to another.
✔✔Derail - ✔✔A track safety device, fixed or portable, designed to guide a car off the
rails at a selected location on a track as a means of protection against collisions or other
accidents.
✔✔Dual Control Switch - ✔✔A power-operated switch also equipped for hand
operation.
✔✔Electric Lock Switch - ✔✔A hand-operated switch equipped with an electrical device
that restricts the movement of the switch.
✔✔Hand-Operated Switch - ✔✔A switch that must be aligned by hand before a train
makes a trailing point movement through the switch.
✔✔Interlocking Switch - ✔✔A switch within interlocking limits controlled by the Block
Operator or Train Dispatcher working in conjunction with interlocking signals and other
interlocking appliances.
✔✔Spring Switch - ✔✔A switch equipped with a spring mechanism that will restore the
switch points to the normal position after having been trailed through.
✔✔Block-Limit Station - ✔✔A place at which a block-limit signal is displayed.
✔✔Block Station - ✔✔A place at which manual block signals are displayed.
✔✔Interlocking Station - ✔✔A place from which an interlocking is operated.
✔✔Passenger Station - ✔✔A place at which trains are scheduled to receive and/or
discharge passengers.
