BNSF CONDUCTOR FINAL EXAM EXPECTED
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
Question 1.
A track extending through yards and between stations that must not be occupied without
authority or protection.
ANSWER
Main Track
Question 2.
A fixed signal at the entrance of a block that governs trains entering and using that block.
ANSWER
Block Signal
Question 3.
A notice containing track bulletin restrictions and other conditions affecting train movement.
ANSWER
General Track Bulletin
Question 4.
A series of consecutive blocks governed by block signals, cab signals, or both. The signals are
actiby a train or by certain conditions that affect the block use.
ANSWER
Automatic Block Signal System (ABS)
Question 5.
Two or more main tracks that are used according to the timetable.
ANSWER
Multiple Main Tracks
1
,Question 6.
Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1A
ANSWER
Good Faith Challenge
A. Right to Challenge
Federal Regulations have provisions that allow an employee the right to challenge a directive which,
based upon the employee's good faith determination, would violate a railroad operating rule relating
to:
• Shoving movements.
• Leaving equipment foul of an adjacent track.
or
• Handling of hand-operated switches or fixed derails.
Question 7.
Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1B
ANSWER
B. Good Faith Challenge Procedure
1. An employee may inform a supervisor issuing a directive that a good faith
determination has been made that the directive would violate a railroad operating rule relating to:
• Shoving movements.
• Leaving equipment foul of an adjacent track.
or
• Handling of hand-operated switches or fixed derails.
2. The supervisor will not require the employee to comply with the directive until
• Require the challenging employee to perform other tasks not related to the
challenge until the challenge is resolved. or
• Direct an employee, other than the challenging employee, to perform the
challenged task before the challenge is resolved. Employee so directed will be informed of the
challenge, and determine that the challenged task does not violate the rules.
2
,Question 8.
Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1C
ANSWER
C. Resolving Good Faith Challenge
1. A challenge may be resolved by one of the following:
• The supervisor's acceptance of the employee's request.
• An employee's acceptance of the directive.
• An employee's agreement to a compromise solution acceptable to the person
issuing the directive.
2. If the challenge cannot be resolved because the supervisor issuing the directive
has determined that the employee's challenge has not been made in good faith or there is no
alternative to the direct order, the railroad will:
• Provide immediate review by at least one manager, which must not be conducted bythe supervisor
issuing the challenged directive or that supervisor's subordinate.
• Resolve the challenge using the same options available for resolving the
challenge as the initial supervisor.
3. If the manager making the final decision concludes that the challenged directive
would not cause the employee to violate any requirement of the involved rules, the reviewing
manager's decision shall be final and not subject to further immediate review.
• The manager will inform the employee that Federal law may protect the
employee from retaliation, if the employee's refusal to do the work is a lawful, good faith act.
• The employee making the challenge will be afforded an opportunity to document, in writing or
electronically, any protest to the manager making the final afforded the opportunity to retain a copy
of the protest.
Question 9.
Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1D
ANSWER
D. Request for Review and Verification of Decision
Upon written request, at the time of the challenge, the employee has the right for further review by
the "Designated Review Manager". Within 30 days after the expiration of the month during which the
challenge occurred, the "Designated Review Manager" will verify the proper application of the rule in
question. The verification decision shall be made in writing to the employee.
Question 10.
Duties of Crew Members Rule 1.47
ANSWER
The conductor and the engineer are responsible for the safety and protection of their train and
observance of the rules. They must ensure that their subordinates are familiar with their duties,
determine the extent of their experience and knowledge of the rules. They must instruct them, when
necessary, how to perform their work properly and safely. If any conditions are not covered by the
rules, they must take precautions to provide protection.
3
, Question 11.
Duties of Crew Members Rule 1.47A
ANSWER
A. Conductor Responsibilities
1. The conductor supervises the operation and administration of the train (if trains
are combined with more than one conductor on board, the conductor with the most seniority takes
charge). All persons employed on the train must obey the conductor's instructions, unless the
instructions endanger the train's safety or violate the rules. If any doubts arise concerning the
authority for proceeding or safety, the conductor must consult with the engineer who will be equally
responsible for the safety and proper handling of the train.
2. The conductor must advise the engineer and train dispatcher of any restriction
placed on equipment being handled.
3. The conductor must remind the engineer that the train is approaching an area
restricted by:
• Limits of authority.
• Track warrant.
or
• Radio speed restriction.
The conductor must inform the engineer after the train passes the last station, but at least 2 miles
from the restriction.
4. When the conductor is not present, other crew members must obey the
instructions of the engineer concerning rules, safety, and protection of the train.
5. Freight conductors are responsible for the freight carried by their train. They are
also responsible for ensuring that the freight is delivered with any accompanying documents to its
destination or terminals. Freight conductors must maintain any required records.
Question 12.
Duties of Crew Members Rule 1.47B
ANSWER
B. Engineer Responsibilities
1. The engineer is responsible for safely and efficiently operating the engine.
Crew members must obey the engineer's instructions that concern operating the engine. A student
engineer or other qualified employee may operate the engine under close supervision of the
engineer. Any employee that operates an engine must have a current certificate in their possession.
2. The engineer must check with the conductor to determine if any cars or units
in the train require special handling.
4
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
Question 1.
A track extending through yards and between stations that must not be occupied without
authority or protection.
ANSWER
Main Track
Question 2.
A fixed signal at the entrance of a block that governs trains entering and using that block.
ANSWER
Block Signal
Question 3.
A notice containing track bulletin restrictions and other conditions affecting train movement.
ANSWER
General Track Bulletin
Question 4.
A series of consecutive blocks governed by block signals, cab signals, or both. The signals are
actiby a train or by certain conditions that affect the block use.
ANSWER
Automatic Block Signal System (ABS)
Question 5.
Two or more main tracks that are used according to the timetable.
ANSWER
Multiple Main Tracks
1
,Question 6.
Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1A
ANSWER
Good Faith Challenge
A. Right to Challenge
Federal Regulations have provisions that allow an employee the right to challenge a directive which,
based upon the employee's good faith determination, would violate a railroad operating rule relating
to:
• Shoving movements.
• Leaving equipment foul of an adjacent track.
or
• Handling of hand-operated switches or fixed derails.
Question 7.
Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1B
ANSWER
B. Good Faith Challenge Procedure
1. An employee may inform a supervisor issuing a directive that a good faith
determination has been made that the directive would violate a railroad operating rule relating to:
• Shoving movements.
• Leaving equipment foul of an adjacent track.
or
• Handling of hand-operated switches or fixed derails.
2. The supervisor will not require the employee to comply with the directive until
• Require the challenging employee to perform other tasks not related to the
challenge until the challenge is resolved. or
• Direct an employee, other than the challenging employee, to perform the
challenged task before the challenge is resolved. Employee so directed will be informed of the
challenge, and determine that the challenged task does not violate the rules.
2
,Question 8.
Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1C
ANSWER
C. Resolving Good Faith Challenge
1. A challenge may be resolved by one of the following:
• The supervisor's acceptance of the employee's request.
• An employee's acceptance of the directive.
• An employee's agreement to a compromise solution acceptable to the person
issuing the directive.
2. If the challenge cannot be resolved because the supervisor issuing the directive
has determined that the employee's challenge has not been made in good faith or there is no
alternative to the direct order, the railroad will:
• Provide immediate review by at least one manager, which must not be conducted bythe supervisor
issuing the challenged directive or that supervisor's subordinate.
• Resolve the challenge using the same options available for resolving the
challenge as the initial supervisor.
3. If the manager making the final decision concludes that the challenged directive
would not cause the employee to violate any requirement of the involved rules, the reviewing
manager's decision shall be final and not subject to further immediate review.
• The manager will inform the employee that Federal law may protect the
employee from retaliation, if the employee's refusal to do the work is a lawful, good faith act.
• The employee making the challenge will be afforded an opportunity to document, in writing or
electronically, any protest to the manager making the final afforded the opportunity to retain a copy
of the protest.
Question 9.
Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1D
ANSWER
D. Request for Review and Verification of Decision
Upon written request, at the time of the challenge, the employee has the right for further review by
the "Designated Review Manager". Within 30 days after the expiration of the month during which the
challenge occurred, the "Designated Review Manager" will verify the proper application of the rule in
question. The verification decision shall be made in writing to the employee.
Question 10.
Duties of Crew Members Rule 1.47
ANSWER
The conductor and the engineer are responsible for the safety and protection of their train and
observance of the rules. They must ensure that their subordinates are familiar with their duties,
determine the extent of their experience and knowledge of the rules. They must instruct them, when
necessary, how to perform their work properly and safely. If any conditions are not covered by the
rules, they must take precautions to provide protection.
3
, Question 11.
Duties of Crew Members Rule 1.47A
ANSWER
A. Conductor Responsibilities
1. The conductor supervises the operation and administration of the train (if trains
are combined with more than one conductor on board, the conductor with the most seniority takes
charge). All persons employed on the train must obey the conductor's instructions, unless the
instructions endanger the train's safety or violate the rules. If any doubts arise concerning the
authority for proceeding or safety, the conductor must consult with the engineer who will be equally
responsible for the safety and proper handling of the train.
2. The conductor must advise the engineer and train dispatcher of any restriction
placed on equipment being handled.
3. The conductor must remind the engineer that the train is approaching an area
restricted by:
• Limits of authority.
• Track warrant.
or
• Radio speed restriction.
The conductor must inform the engineer after the train passes the last station, but at least 2 miles
from the restriction.
4. When the conductor is not present, other crew members must obey the
instructions of the engineer concerning rules, safety, and protection of the train.
5. Freight conductors are responsible for the freight carried by their train. They are
also responsible for ensuring that the freight is delivered with any accompanying documents to its
destination or terminals. Freight conductors must maintain any required records.
Question 12.
Duties of Crew Members Rule 1.47B
ANSWER
B. Engineer Responsibilities
1. The engineer is responsible for safely and efficiently operating the engine.
Crew members must obey the engineer's instructions that concern operating the engine. A student
engineer or other qualified employee may operate the engine under close supervision of the
engineer. Any employee that operates an engine must have a current certificate in their possession.
2. The engineer must check with the conductor to determine if any cars or units
in the train require special handling.
4
