Transit Railcar Maintenance Technician
Exam 2026/2027 | 350 Practice Questions
& Answers | Comprehensive Certification
Study Guide
1. What is the primary function of an air brake system on a railcar?
• A. Increase train speed
• B. Control car lighting
• C. Provide stopping power
• D. Reduce rail wear
Answer: C. The air brake system uses compressed air to apply brake shoes or pads,
allowing controlled stopping of railcars .
2. What component stores compressed air in a railcar brake system?
• A. Brake cylinder
• B. Air reservoir
• C. Slack adjuster
• D. Control valve
Answer: B. The air reservoir stores compressed air needed to operate the braking
system when applied .
3. What is the initial thickness of a new brake block?
• A. 46 mm
• B. 49 mm
, • C. 52 mm
• D. 50 mm
Answer: B. The initial thickness of a new brake block is 49 mm .
4. What is the condemning limit for brake block thickness?
• A. 14 mm
• B. 16 mm
• C. 13 mm
• D. 15 mm
Answer: C. Brake blocks must be replaced when thickness reaches 13 mm .
5. During a brake test, a railcar fails to maintain air pressure. What is the most
likely cause?
• A. Traction motor fault
• B. HVAC malfunction
• C. Air leak in the brake system
• D. Low wheel lubrication
Answer: C. A brake system must hold pressure; leaks in lines, valves, or reservoirs are
the most common cause of pressure loss. All air brakes leak—the allowable standard is
one psi per minute .
6. What is the primary function of a brake shoe?
• A. Reduce electrical load
• B. Apply friction to the wheel
• C. Increase the speed of the railcar
, • D. Support the suspension system
Answer: B. Brake shoes create friction against the wheel to slow or stop the railcar .
7. What is the maximum brake cylinder pressure during full brake application?
• A. 1.6 Kg/cm²
• B. 3.0 Kg/cm²
• C. 3.8 Kg/cm²
• D. 4.8 Kg/cm²
Answer: C. During full brake application, the maximum pressure in the brake cylinder is
3.8 Kg/cm² .
8. What is the charging time for the control reservoir (CR)?
• A. 150 seconds
• B. 160 seconds
• C. 140 seconds
• D. 120 seconds
Answer: D. The charging time of the control reservoir is 120 seconds .
9. During service application, brakes should apply within:
• A. 20 seconds
• B. 30 seconds
• C. 3-5 seconds
• D. 15-20 seconds
Answer: C. During service application, brakes should apply within 3-5 seconds .
, 10. After full brake application, brakes should release within:
• A. 10-20 seconds
• B. 20-25 seconds
• C. 15-20 seconds
• D. 25-30 seconds
Answer: C. After full brake application, brakes should release within 15-20 seconds .
11. What is the maximum permitted drop in BP pressure during a drop test?
• A. 0.2 Kg/cm²
• B. 0.3 Kg/cm²
• C. 2.0 Kg/cm²
• D. 0.6 Kg/cm²
Answer: A. During drop testing of the rake, the maximum permitted drop in BP is 0.2
Kg/cm² .
12. What is the maximum permitted drop in FP pressure during a drop test?
• A. 0.2 Kg/cm²
• B. 0.6 Kg/cm²
• C. 2.0 Kg/cm²
• D. 1.0 Kg/cm²
Answer: B. During drop testing, the maximum permitted drop in FP is 0.6 Kg/cm² .
13. What does a green brake indicator show?
• A. Brakes are released
• B. Brakes are applied
Exam 2026/2027 | 350 Practice Questions
& Answers | Comprehensive Certification
Study Guide
1. What is the primary function of an air brake system on a railcar?
• A. Increase train speed
• B. Control car lighting
• C. Provide stopping power
• D. Reduce rail wear
Answer: C. The air brake system uses compressed air to apply brake shoes or pads,
allowing controlled stopping of railcars .
2. What component stores compressed air in a railcar brake system?
• A. Brake cylinder
• B. Air reservoir
• C. Slack adjuster
• D. Control valve
Answer: B. The air reservoir stores compressed air needed to operate the braking
system when applied .
3. What is the initial thickness of a new brake block?
• A. 46 mm
• B. 49 mm
, • C. 52 mm
• D. 50 mm
Answer: B. The initial thickness of a new brake block is 49 mm .
4. What is the condemning limit for brake block thickness?
• A. 14 mm
• B. 16 mm
• C. 13 mm
• D. 15 mm
Answer: C. Brake blocks must be replaced when thickness reaches 13 mm .
5. During a brake test, a railcar fails to maintain air pressure. What is the most
likely cause?
• A. Traction motor fault
• B. HVAC malfunction
• C. Air leak in the brake system
• D. Low wheel lubrication
Answer: C. A brake system must hold pressure; leaks in lines, valves, or reservoirs are
the most common cause of pressure loss. All air brakes leak—the allowable standard is
one psi per minute .
6. What is the primary function of a brake shoe?
• A. Reduce electrical load
• B. Apply friction to the wheel
• C. Increase the speed of the railcar
, • D. Support the suspension system
Answer: B. Brake shoes create friction against the wheel to slow or stop the railcar .
7. What is the maximum brake cylinder pressure during full brake application?
• A. 1.6 Kg/cm²
• B. 3.0 Kg/cm²
• C. 3.8 Kg/cm²
• D. 4.8 Kg/cm²
Answer: C. During full brake application, the maximum pressure in the brake cylinder is
3.8 Kg/cm² .
8. What is the charging time for the control reservoir (CR)?
• A. 150 seconds
• B. 160 seconds
• C. 140 seconds
• D. 120 seconds
Answer: D. The charging time of the control reservoir is 120 seconds .
9. During service application, brakes should apply within:
• A. 20 seconds
• B. 30 seconds
• C. 3-5 seconds
• D. 15-20 seconds
Answer: C. During service application, brakes should apply within 3-5 seconds .
, 10. After full brake application, brakes should release within:
• A. 10-20 seconds
• B. 20-25 seconds
• C. 15-20 seconds
• D. 25-30 seconds
Answer: C. After full brake application, brakes should release within 15-20 seconds .
11. What is the maximum permitted drop in BP pressure during a drop test?
• A. 0.2 Kg/cm²
• B. 0.3 Kg/cm²
• C. 2.0 Kg/cm²
• D. 0.6 Kg/cm²
Answer: A. During drop testing of the rake, the maximum permitted drop in BP is 0.2
Kg/cm² .
12. What is the maximum permitted drop in FP pressure during a drop test?
• A. 0.2 Kg/cm²
• B. 0.6 Kg/cm²
• C. 2.0 Kg/cm²
• D. 1.0 Kg/cm²
Answer: B. During drop testing, the maximum permitted drop in FP is 0.6 Kg/cm² .
13. What does a green brake indicator show?
• A. Brakes are released
• B. Brakes are applied
