BNSF CONDUCTOR CORE EXAMS SET 2025/2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔5.6 Unattended Fusee - ✔✔If a train approaches an unattended fusee burning on or
near its track, the train must stop consistent with
good train handling.
A train moving at restricted speed must stop before passing the fusee.
After stopping, the train must proceed at restricted speed for 1 mile beyond the fusee.
If the unattended burning fusee is beyond the first rail of an adjacent track, the fusee
does not apply to the track on which the train is moving.
Do not place fusees where they may cause fires.
✔✔5.8.2 Sounding Whistle - ✔✔The whistle may be used at anytime as a warning
regardless of any whistle prohibitions.
When other employees are working in the immediate area, sound the required whistle
signal before moving.
Other forms of communications may be used in place of whistle signals, except signals
(1), (7), and (8). See following chart.
✔✔Rule 5.13A Blue Signal Protection of Workmen - ✔✔A. What a Blue Signal Signifies
A blue signal signifies that workmen are on, under, or between rolling equipment and
requires that:
1. Rolling equipment must not be coupled to or moved, except as provided in
"Movement in Engine Servicing Area" and "Movement in Car Shop Repair Area" of this
rule.
2. Rolling equipment must not pass a blue signal on a track protected by the signal.
3. Other rolling equipment must not be placed on the same track so as to block or
reduce the view of the blue signal.
a. However, rolling equipment may be placed on the same track when it is placed on
designated engine servicing area tracks or car shop repair area tracks, or when a derail
divides a track into separate working areas.
4. Rolling equipment must not enter a track when a blue signal is displayed at the
entrance to the track.
✔✔Rule 5.13B Blue Signal Protection of Workmen (Main Track) - ✔✔B. How to Provide
Protection
When workmen are on, under, or between rolling equipment and exposed to potential
injury, protection must be provided as follows:
On a Main Track. A blue signal must be displayed at each end of the rolling equipment.
BNSF Amendment—On a Main Track is changed to read:
On a Main Track. A blue signal must be displayed at each end of the rolling equipment
and, if the rolling equipment to be protected includes one or more locomotives, a blue
signal must be
displayed on the controlling locomotive(s).
,✔✔Rule 5.13B Blue Signal Protection of Workmen (Other Than Main Track 1) - ✔✔On
Other than a Main Track. One of these three methods of protection or a combination of
these
methods must be provided:
1. Each manually operated switch, including any facing point crossover switch that
provides direct access must be lined against movement onto the track and secured by
an effective locking
device. A blue signal must be placed at or near each such switch.
BNSF Amendment—Add the following:
Use the following sequence when applying blue signal protection:
a. Line and lock the switch
b. Display blue signal at or near the switch and;
c. If the rolling equipment to be protected includes one or more locomotives, a blue
signal must be displayed on the controlling locomotive(s).
Use the following sequence when removing blue signal protection:
a. Remove blue signal from locomotive(s), if applied (remove any blue signal inside the
cab before removing the blue signal visible from the outside on the engineer's side of
the locomotive)
b. Remove the blue signal at or near the switch
c. Remove the lock from the switch and replace the hook or hasp, if equipped.
✔✔Rule 5.13B Blue Signal Protection of Workmen (Other Than Main Track 2) - ✔✔A
derail capable of restricting access to the track where work will occur must be locked in
derailing position with an effective locking device and:
a. Positioned at least 150 feet from the rolling equipment to be protected.
or
b. Positioned at least 50 feet from the end of rolling equipment on a designated engine
servicing track or car shop repair track where speed is limited to not more than 5 MPH.
A blue signal must be displayed at each derail.
BNSF Amendment—Add the following:
Use the following sequence when applying blue signal protection:
a. Lock the derail in the derailing position
b. Display blue signal at the derail and;
c. If the rolling equipment to be protected includes one or more locomotives, a blue
signal must be displayed on the controlling locomotive(s).
Use the following sequence when removing blue signal protection:
a. Remove blue signal from locomotive(s), if applied (remove any blue signal inside the
cab before removing the blue signal visible from the outside on the engineer's side of
the locomotive)
b. Remove the blue signal at the derail
c. Remove the effective locking device from the derail and ensure derail is in the proper
position.
✔✔Rule 5.13C Blue Signal Readily Visible to Engineer - ✔✔In addition to providing
protection as required in "On a Main Track" and "On Other than a Main Track," when
, workmen are on, under, or between an engine or rolling equipment coupled to an
engine:
1. A blue signal must be attached to the controlling engine and be visible to the
engineer or employee controlling the engine.
2. Engines equipped for remote control operations must be in manual.
3. The engine must not be moved. The controls must not be changed unless directed by
individuals who placed the blue signal protection.
✔✔Rule 5.15 Improperly Displayed Signals - ✔✔If a signal is improperly displayed, or a
signal, flag, or sign is absent from the place it is usually shown, regard the signal as
displaying the most restrictive indication it can give. However, if a semaphore arm is
visible, it will govern.
Promptly report improperly displayed signals or absent fixed signals, flags, or signs to
the train dispatcher.
✔✔Rule 9.4 Improperly Displayed Signals or Absent Lights - ✔✔Except as shown in
block, cab, and interlocking signal aspects in the special instructions, if a light is absent,
a white light is displayed where a colored or lunar light should be, or additional colored
or lunar lights are displayed, regard a block or interlocking signal as displaying the most
restrictive indication it can give. However, when the semaphore arm position is plainly
seen, that aspect will govern.
✔✔Rule 6.4 Reverse Movements - ✔✔Make reverse movements on any main track,
controlled siding, or on any track where a block system is in effect at restricted speed
and only within the limits a train has authority to occupy the track.
✔✔Rule 6.4.1 Permission for Reverse Movements - ✔✔Obtain permission from the train
dispatcher or control operator before making a reverse movement, unless the
movement is within the same signaled block.
When a train or engine is advised that working limits have been established behind their
train, obtain permission from the employee in charge to make any reverse movements,
including within the same signaled block.
✔✔Rule 6.5 Shoving Movements 1 - ✔✔BNSF Amendment—Entire rule is changed to
read:
Cars or engines must not be shoved until the engineer knows who is protecting the
movement and how protection will be provided. The employee providing protection for
the movement shall not engage in
any task unrelated to the movement.
When cars or engines are shoved, crew member must be in position and provide visual
protection unless relieved by:
• Local instructions for tracks equipped with shove lights/cameras.
• Special instructions specific to tracks involved.
• Rule 6.6 (Back Up Movements).
• Pullout move within an activated Remote Control Zone (RCZ).
Minimum requirements when radio communication is used during shoving movements:
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔5.6 Unattended Fusee - ✔✔If a train approaches an unattended fusee burning on or
near its track, the train must stop consistent with
good train handling.
A train moving at restricted speed must stop before passing the fusee.
After stopping, the train must proceed at restricted speed for 1 mile beyond the fusee.
If the unattended burning fusee is beyond the first rail of an adjacent track, the fusee
does not apply to the track on which the train is moving.
Do not place fusees where they may cause fires.
✔✔5.8.2 Sounding Whistle - ✔✔The whistle may be used at anytime as a warning
regardless of any whistle prohibitions.
When other employees are working in the immediate area, sound the required whistle
signal before moving.
Other forms of communications may be used in place of whistle signals, except signals
(1), (7), and (8). See following chart.
✔✔Rule 5.13A Blue Signal Protection of Workmen - ✔✔A. What a Blue Signal Signifies
A blue signal signifies that workmen are on, under, or between rolling equipment and
requires that:
1. Rolling equipment must not be coupled to or moved, except as provided in
"Movement in Engine Servicing Area" and "Movement in Car Shop Repair Area" of this
rule.
2. Rolling equipment must not pass a blue signal on a track protected by the signal.
3. Other rolling equipment must not be placed on the same track so as to block or
reduce the view of the blue signal.
a. However, rolling equipment may be placed on the same track when it is placed on
designated engine servicing area tracks or car shop repair area tracks, or when a derail
divides a track into separate working areas.
4. Rolling equipment must not enter a track when a blue signal is displayed at the
entrance to the track.
✔✔Rule 5.13B Blue Signal Protection of Workmen (Main Track) - ✔✔B. How to Provide
Protection
When workmen are on, under, or between rolling equipment and exposed to potential
injury, protection must be provided as follows:
On a Main Track. A blue signal must be displayed at each end of the rolling equipment.
BNSF Amendment—On a Main Track is changed to read:
On a Main Track. A blue signal must be displayed at each end of the rolling equipment
and, if the rolling equipment to be protected includes one or more locomotives, a blue
signal must be
displayed on the controlling locomotive(s).
,✔✔Rule 5.13B Blue Signal Protection of Workmen (Other Than Main Track 1) - ✔✔On
Other than a Main Track. One of these three methods of protection or a combination of
these
methods must be provided:
1. Each manually operated switch, including any facing point crossover switch that
provides direct access must be lined against movement onto the track and secured by
an effective locking
device. A blue signal must be placed at or near each such switch.
BNSF Amendment—Add the following:
Use the following sequence when applying blue signal protection:
a. Line and lock the switch
b. Display blue signal at or near the switch and;
c. If the rolling equipment to be protected includes one or more locomotives, a blue
signal must be displayed on the controlling locomotive(s).
Use the following sequence when removing blue signal protection:
a. Remove blue signal from locomotive(s), if applied (remove any blue signal inside the
cab before removing the blue signal visible from the outside on the engineer's side of
the locomotive)
b. Remove the blue signal at or near the switch
c. Remove the lock from the switch and replace the hook or hasp, if equipped.
✔✔Rule 5.13B Blue Signal Protection of Workmen (Other Than Main Track 2) - ✔✔A
derail capable of restricting access to the track where work will occur must be locked in
derailing position with an effective locking device and:
a. Positioned at least 150 feet from the rolling equipment to be protected.
or
b. Positioned at least 50 feet from the end of rolling equipment on a designated engine
servicing track or car shop repair track where speed is limited to not more than 5 MPH.
A blue signal must be displayed at each derail.
BNSF Amendment—Add the following:
Use the following sequence when applying blue signal protection:
a. Lock the derail in the derailing position
b. Display blue signal at the derail and;
c. If the rolling equipment to be protected includes one or more locomotives, a blue
signal must be displayed on the controlling locomotive(s).
Use the following sequence when removing blue signal protection:
a. Remove blue signal from locomotive(s), if applied (remove any blue signal inside the
cab before removing the blue signal visible from the outside on the engineer's side of
the locomotive)
b. Remove the blue signal at the derail
c. Remove the effective locking device from the derail and ensure derail is in the proper
position.
✔✔Rule 5.13C Blue Signal Readily Visible to Engineer - ✔✔In addition to providing
protection as required in "On a Main Track" and "On Other than a Main Track," when
, workmen are on, under, or between an engine or rolling equipment coupled to an
engine:
1. A blue signal must be attached to the controlling engine and be visible to the
engineer or employee controlling the engine.
2. Engines equipped for remote control operations must be in manual.
3. The engine must not be moved. The controls must not be changed unless directed by
individuals who placed the blue signal protection.
✔✔Rule 5.15 Improperly Displayed Signals - ✔✔If a signal is improperly displayed, or a
signal, flag, or sign is absent from the place it is usually shown, regard the signal as
displaying the most restrictive indication it can give. However, if a semaphore arm is
visible, it will govern.
Promptly report improperly displayed signals or absent fixed signals, flags, or signs to
the train dispatcher.
✔✔Rule 9.4 Improperly Displayed Signals or Absent Lights - ✔✔Except as shown in
block, cab, and interlocking signal aspects in the special instructions, if a light is absent,
a white light is displayed where a colored or lunar light should be, or additional colored
or lunar lights are displayed, regard a block or interlocking signal as displaying the most
restrictive indication it can give. However, when the semaphore arm position is plainly
seen, that aspect will govern.
✔✔Rule 6.4 Reverse Movements - ✔✔Make reverse movements on any main track,
controlled siding, or on any track where a block system is in effect at restricted speed
and only within the limits a train has authority to occupy the track.
✔✔Rule 6.4.1 Permission for Reverse Movements - ✔✔Obtain permission from the train
dispatcher or control operator before making a reverse movement, unless the
movement is within the same signaled block.
When a train or engine is advised that working limits have been established behind their
train, obtain permission from the employee in charge to make any reverse movements,
including within the same signaled block.
✔✔Rule 6.5 Shoving Movements 1 - ✔✔BNSF Amendment—Entire rule is changed to
read:
Cars or engines must not be shoved until the engineer knows who is protecting the
movement and how protection will be provided. The employee providing protection for
the movement shall not engage in
any task unrelated to the movement.
When cars or engines are shoved, crew member must be in position and provide visual
protection unless relieved by:
• Local instructions for tracks equipped with shove lights/cameras.
• Special instructions specific to tracks involved.
• Rule 6.6 (Back Up Movements).
• Pullout move within an activated Remote Control Zone (RCZ).
Minimum requirements when radio communication is used during shoving movements:
