Transit Railcar Maintenance Technician Exam
Study Guide | Latest 2026/2027 Update
1. What is the primary purpose of a railcar truck assembly?
A) Provide passenger seating
B) Support and guide the railcar on tracks
C) Supply electrical power
D) Control braking system only
Answer: B) Support and guide the railcar on tracks
Rationale: The truck assembly supports the car body, houses wheelsets, and ensures
stable guidance along the rails .
2. What component directly connects the wheel to the axle?
A) Brake shoe
B) Journal bearing
C) Wheel hub
D) Coupler knuckle
Answer: C) Wheel hub
Rationale: The wheel hub is the mounting point that secures the wheel to the axle
assembly .
3. What does a bogie refer to in railcar terminology?
A) Passenger seat row
B) Wheel and axle assembly
C) Brake control panel
D) Electrical cabinet
Answer: B) Wheel and axle assembly
Rationale: A bogie is another term for the truck assembly under railcars .
,4. What is the main purpose of railcar suspension systems?
A) Increase electrical load
B) Reduce shock and vibration
C) Improve lighting
D) Control braking force
Answer: B) Reduce shock and vibration
Rationale: Suspension systems, including springs and dampers, absorb track
irregularities to improve passenger comfort and reduce mechanical stress .
5. What is the most common cause of wheel flat spots?
A) Excess lubrication
B) Wheel slip during braking
C) Overcharging batteries
D) Excess air pressure
Answer: B) Wheel slip during braking
Rationale: Flat spots commonly result from wheels locking and sliding during braking .
6. Which type of wheel defect can cause excessive vibration and noise in transit
railcars?
A) Flat spots
B) Worn bearings
C) Low air pressure
D) Electrical faults
Answer: A) Flat spots
Rationale: Flat spots occur on wheels due to locked wheels sliding along the rail during
braking, causing vibration and noise .
7. What tool is commonly used to measure wheel diameter wear?
A) Multimeter
,B) Wheel caliper gauge
C) Torque wrench
D) Pressure gauge
Answer: B) Wheel caliper gauge
Rationale: Caliper gauges measure wheel diameter to detect wear limits .
8. What is wheel gauge measured between?
A) Rail head to rail base
B) Inside edges of rails
C) Outside edges of wheels
D) Coupler centers
Answer: B) Inside edges of rails
Rationale: Gauge is the distance between the inner faces of the rails .
9. What condition does wheel tread hollowing indicate?
A) Excess lubrication
B) Uneven wear pattern
C) Electrical failure
D) Brake release failure only
Answer: B) Uneven wear pattern
Rationale: Hollow tread wear results from uneven contact between wheel and rail .
10. What does a seized bearing typically produce?
A) Low noise levels
B) Excessive heat and noise
C) Increased lubrication
D) Smooth wheel rotation
Answer: B) Excessive heat and noise
Rationale: Seized bearings generate heat, noise, and may stop rotation .
, 11. What is the primary cause of wheel flange wear?
A) Excessive speed
B) Negotiating curves
C) Over-braking
D) Electrical arcing
Answer: B) Negotiating curves
Rationale: Wheel flange wear is primarily caused by the lateral forces experienced when
negotiating curves.
12. What is the function of a journal bearing in a railcar truck?
A) Connect the wheels to the axle
B) Support the axle and reduce friction
C) Apply braking force
D) Transfer electrical power
Answer: B) Support the axle and reduce friction
Rationale: Journal bearings support the axle ends and reduce friction between the axle
and the truck frame.
13. What is the purpose of rail lubrication systems?
A) Increase braking force
B) Reduce wheel-rail friction
C) Increase speed
D) Control door operation
Answer: B) Reduce wheel-rail friction
Rationale: Rail lubrication systems reduce friction between wheels and rails, decreasing
wear and noise .
Study Guide | Latest 2026/2027 Update
1. What is the primary purpose of a railcar truck assembly?
A) Provide passenger seating
B) Support and guide the railcar on tracks
C) Supply electrical power
D) Control braking system only
Answer: B) Support and guide the railcar on tracks
Rationale: The truck assembly supports the car body, houses wheelsets, and ensures
stable guidance along the rails .
2. What component directly connects the wheel to the axle?
A) Brake shoe
B) Journal bearing
C) Wheel hub
D) Coupler knuckle
Answer: C) Wheel hub
Rationale: The wheel hub is the mounting point that secures the wheel to the axle
assembly .
3. What does a bogie refer to in railcar terminology?
A) Passenger seat row
B) Wheel and axle assembly
C) Brake control panel
D) Electrical cabinet
Answer: B) Wheel and axle assembly
Rationale: A bogie is another term for the truck assembly under railcars .
,4. What is the main purpose of railcar suspension systems?
A) Increase electrical load
B) Reduce shock and vibration
C) Improve lighting
D) Control braking force
Answer: B) Reduce shock and vibration
Rationale: Suspension systems, including springs and dampers, absorb track
irregularities to improve passenger comfort and reduce mechanical stress .
5. What is the most common cause of wheel flat spots?
A) Excess lubrication
B) Wheel slip during braking
C) Overcharging batteries
D) Excess air pressure
Answer: B) Wheel slip during braking
Rationale: Flat spots commonly result from wheels locking and sliding during braking .
6. Which type of wheel defect can cause excessive vibration and noise in transit
railcars?
A) Flat spots
B) Worn bearings
C) Low air pressure
D) Electrical faults
Answer: A) Flat spots
Rationale: Flat spots occur on wheels due to locked wheels sliding along the rail during
braking, causing vibration and noise .
7. What tool is commonly used to measure wheel diameter wear?
A) Multimeter
,B) Wheel caliper gauge
C) Torque wrench
D) Pressure gauge
Answer: B) Wheel caliper gauge
Rationale: Caliper gauges measure wheel diameter to detect wear limits .
8. What is wheel gauge measured between?
A) Rail head to rail base
B) Inside edges of rails
C) Outside edges of wheels
D) Coupler centers
Answer: B) Inside edges of rails
Rationale: Gauge is the distance between the inner faces of the rails .
9. What condition does wheel tread hollowing indicate?
A) Excess lubrication
B) Uneven wear pattern
C) Electrical failure
D) Brake release failure only
Answer: B) Uneven wear pattern
Rationale: Hollow tread wear results from uneven contact between wheel and rail .
10. What does a seized bearing typically produce?
A) Low noise levels
B) Excessive heat and noise
C) Increased lubrication
D) Smooth wheel rotation
Answer: B) Excessive heat and noise
Rationale: Seized bearings generate heat, noise, and may stop rotation .
, 11. What is the primary cause of wheel flange wear?
A) Excessive speed
B) Negotiating curves
C) Over-braking
D) Electrical arcing
Answer: B) Negotiating curves
Rationale: Wheel flange wear is primarily caused by the lateral forces experienced when
negotiating curves.
12. What is the function of a journal bearing in a railcar truck?
A) Connect the wheels to the axle
B) Support the axle and reduce friction
C) Apply braking force
D) Transfer electrical power
Answer: B) Support the axle and reduce friction
Rationale: Journal bearings support the axle ends and reduce friction between the axle
and the truck frame.
13. What is the purpose of rail lubrication systems?
A) Increase braking force
B) Reduce wheel-rail friction
C) Increase speed
D) Control door operation
Answer: B) Reduce wheel-rail friction
Rationale: Rail lubrication systems reduce friction between wheels and rails, decreasing
wear and noise .
