BNSF CONDUCTOR EXAMS SCRIPT 2025/2026 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔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:
• Direction will be described in relationship to the front of the controlling locomotive (F
stencil).
• To instruct the engineer to move the locomotive forward use "ahead".
• To instruct the engineer to move the locomotive backward use "backup".
• To instruct the engineer to stop, use the word "stop".
• Communicate distance using 50 feet as a standard for one car length.
• Engineer must acknowledge the distance, when more than four cars.
✔✔Rule 6.5 Shoving Movements 2 - ✔✔Movement must be stopped within half of the
distance specified unless additional instructions are received.
✔✔Rule 6.5 Shoving Movements 3 - ✔✔Note: Employees are encouraged to
communicate additional information related to shoving movements (e.g. switch/derail
position, close clearance conditions, stop signals, authority limits, etc.).
When cars or engines are shoved on a main track or controlled siding in the direction
authorized, movement must not exceed:
• 20 MPH for freight trains.
• 30 MPH for passenger trains.
When engaged in snow plow operations:
• One common authority may be used by both maintenance of way employees and the
train crew when all employees are on the equipment.
• Maximum timetable speed applies unless a higher speed is authorized by the
employee in charge.
• Employees are relieved from providing visual protection for snow plow being shoved.
Cars or engines must not be shoved to block other tracks until it is safe to do so.
✔✔6.6 Back Up Movements 1 - ✔✔BNSF Amendment—Entire rule is changed to read:
After obtaining permission from the train dispatcher, a train may back up on any main
track or on any track where CTC is in effect under the following conditions:
1. The train dispatcher must verify the following within the same or overlapping limits:
a. Another authority is not in effect unless conflicting movements are protected.
b. A track bulletin Form B is not in effect.
c. A main track is not removed from service by a track bulletin.
d. Permission to leave a switch in the reverse position has not been granted.
✔✔6.6 Back Up Movements 2 - ✔✔2. The crew ensures movement will not:
a. Exceed the limit of the train's authority.
b. Exceed the train's length.
, c. Enter or foul a private or public crossing except as provided by Rule 6.32.1 (Providing
Warning Over Road Crossings).
d. Be made into or within yard limits, restricted limits, interlocking limits, drawbridges,
railroad crossings at grade or track bulletin Form B limits.
✔✔6.6 Back Up Movements 3 - ✔✔Before requesting or making a back up move, a job
safety briefing between all members of the crew must be conducted that confirms:
• Train is intact, verified either visually or by determining that brake pipe continuity exists
using end of train device or distributed power telemetry.
• Distance to be shoved. (Note: Train must not move outside of authority limits.)
• Distance from the end of the train to the end of authority limits is sufficient to
accomplish the planned back up movement (E.g. 30 cars from the end of the rear car to
next controlled signal
or 30 cars from the end of the rear car to MP 30, where track warrant authority ends,
etc.).
• Location of nearest affected road crossing in direction of movement.
• Movement will not be made into or within yard limits, restricted limits, interlocking
limits, drawbridges, railroad crossings at grade or track bulletin Form B limits.
✔✔6.6 Back Up Movements 4 - ✔✔Before permission is granted, a job safety briefing
between a crew member and the train dispatcher or control operator must determine
what track authority is needed to accomplish the
planned movement. If additional track authority is necessary to make the 6.6 movement,
a crew member must request additional authority.
✔✔6.6 Back Up Movements 5 - ✔✔When movement is made under these conditions,
restricted speed does not apply. Trains backing up under the provisions of this rule may
pass signals indicating Stop and Proceed, without stopping.
✔✔6.13 Yard Limits 1 - ✔✔Within yard limits, trains or engines are authorized to use the
main track not protecting against other trains or engines, only after obtaining a track
warrant, listing all track bulletins that affect their movement.
Engines must give way as soon as possible to trains as they approach. Engines must
keep posted as to the arrival of passenger trains and must not delay them.
✔✔6.13 Yard Limits 2 - ✔✔All movements entering or moving within yard limits must be
made at restricted speed unless operating under a block signal indication that is more
favorable than Approach.
✔✔6.13 Yard Limits 3A - ✔✔Upon observing or having advance knowledge that a block
signal may require restricted speed due to yard limits, if entering or within yard limits,
the movement must be at restricted speed at that block signal, or as soon as possible
thereafter, consistent with good train handling.
AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔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:
• Direction will be described in relationship to the front of the controlling locomotive (F
stencil).
• To instruct the engineer to move the locomotive forward use "ahead".
• To instruct the engineer to move the locomotive backward use "backup".
• To instruct the engineer to stop, use the word "stop".
• Communicate distance using 50 feet as a standard for one car length.
• Engineer must acknowledge the distance, when more than four cars.
✔✔Rule 6.5 Shoving Movements 2 - ✔✔Movement must be stopped within half of the
distance specified unless additional instructions are received.
✔✔Rule 6.5 Shoving Movements 3 - ✔✔Note: Employees are encouraged to
communicate additional information related to shoving movements (e.g. switch/derail
position, close clearance conditions, stop signals, authority limits, etc.).
When cars or engines are shoved on a main track or controlled siding in the direction
authorized, movement must not exceed:
• 20 MPH for freight trains.
• 30 MPH for passenger trains.
When engaged in snow plow operations:
• One common authority may be used by both maintenance of way employees and the
train crew when all employees are on the equipment.
• Maximum timetable speed applies unless a higher speed is authorized by the
employee in charge.
• Employees are relieved from providing visual protection for snow plow being shoved.
Cars or engines must not be shoved to block other tracks until it is safe to do so.
✔✔6.6 Back Up Movements 1 - ✔✔BNSF Amendment—Entire rule is changed to read:
After obtaining permission from the train dispatcher, a train may back up on any main
track or on any track where CTC is in effect under the following conditions:
1. The train dispatcher must verify the following within the same or overlapping limits:
a. Another authority is not in effect unless conflicting movements are protected.
b. A track bulletin Form B is not in effect.
c. A main track is not removed from service by a track bulletin.
d. Permission to leave a switch in the reverse position has not been granted.
✔✔6.6 Back Up Movements 2 - ✔✔2. The crew ensures movement will not:
a. Exceed the limit of the train's authority.
b. Exceed the train's length.
, c. Enter or foul a private or public crossing except as provided by Rule 6.32.1 (Providing
Warning Over Road Crossings).
d. Be made into or within yard limits, restricted limits, interlocking limits, drawbridges,
railroad crossings at grade or track bulletin Form B limits.
✔✔6.6 Back Up Movements 3 - ✔✔Before requesting or making a back up move, a job
safety briefing between all members of the crew must be conducted that confirms:
• Train is intact, verified either visually or by determining that brake pipe continuity exists
using end of train device or distributed power telemetry.
• Distance to be shoved. (Note: Train must not move outside of authority limits.)
• Distance from the end of the train to the end of authority limits is sufficient to
accomplish the planned back up movement (E.g. 30 cars from the end of the rear car to
next controlled signal
or 30 cars from the end of the rear car to MP 30, where track warrant authority ends,
etc.).
• Location of nearest affected road crossing in direction of movement.
• Movement will not be made into or within yard limits, restricted limits, interlocking
limits, drawbridges, railroad crossings at grade or track bulletin Form B limits.
✔✔6.6 Back Up Movements 4 - ✔✔Before permission is granted, a job safety briefing
between a crew member and the train dispatcher or control operator must determine
what track authority is needed to accomplish the
planned movement. If additional track authority is necessary to make the 6.6 movement,
a crew member must request additional authority.
✔✔6.6 Back Up Movements 5 - ✔✔When movement is made under these conditions,
restricted speed does not apply. Trains backing up under the provisions of this rule may
pass signals indicating Stop and Proceed, without stopping.
✔✔6.13 Yard Limits 1 - ✔✔Within yard limits, trains or engines are authorized to use the
main track not protecting against other trains or engines, only after obtaining a track
warrant, listing all track bulletins that affect their movement.
Engines must give way as soon as possible to trains as they approach. Engines must
keep posted as to the arrival of passenger trains and must not delay them.
✔✔6.13 Yard Limits 2 - ✔✔All movements entering or moving within yard limits must be
made at restricted speed unless operating under a block signal indication that is more
favorable than Approach.
✔✔6.13 Yard Limits 3A - ✔✔Upon observing or having advance knowledge that a block
signal may require restricted speed due to yard limits, if entering or within yard limits,
the movement must be at restricted speed at that block signal, or as soon as possible
thereafter, consistent with good train handling.
