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SWITCHMAN QUALIFICATION EXAMINATION
PREP 2026 ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
ALREADY A GRADED WITH EXPERT
FEEDBACK |NEW AND REVISED
1. What is the primary responsibility of a railroad switchman?
A. Repair locomotives
B. Operate passenger trains
C. Control and align switches, couple cars, and assist with safe train
movements
D. Maintain track signals
A switchman's primary duties involve safely directing rail movements,
operating switches, coupling equipment, and protecting train
operations within yards and terminals.
2. Before operating a hand-operated switch, a switchman should
first:
A. Increase train speed
B. Leave the area immediately
C. Verify the route and ensure the switch can be safely operated
D. Remove the switch lock permanently
Switches must only be operated after confirming the intended route
and ensuring no unsafe movement will occur.
3. A railroad switch is used to:
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A. Stop locomotives automatically
B. Direct rail equipment from one track to another
C. Increase fuel efficiency
D. Repair damaged rails
Switches allow trains and railcars to move between different tracks
safely.
4. When coupling railcars, a switchman should:
A. Stand between moving cars
B. Ignore hand signals
C. Remain in a safe position and follow proper coupling procedures
D. Jump onto moving equipment
Proper positioning prevents crushing injuries and ensures safe
coupling operations.
5. The purpose of a derail device is to:
A. Increase train speed
B. Signal train movements
C. Prevent unauthorized movement of equipment onto a track
D. Couple cars together
A derail device is a safety mechanism that derails rolling stock to
prevent it from entering a track where it could cause harm. Derails
must be kept in the derailing position when not in use.
6. What is the maximum distance a switchman should stand from a
hand-operated switch after lining it for a main track movement?
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A. 5 feet
B. 10 feet
C. 20 feet
D. 50 feet
After lining a hand-operated switch to or from the main track, the
safest position is away from the switch. FRA has proposed a 20-foot
minimum distance requirement.
7. When both hand-operated switches of a crossover are being used,
they must:
A. Be operated independently
B. Be properly lined for the crossover movement or both lined for
straight track
C. Always be left in the crossover position
D. Only one switch needs to be lined
Properly lined crossover switches must be in correspondence—both
lined for the crossover or both lined for straight track. Out-of-
correspondence crossovers can cause accidents.
8. After operating a switch, the switchman must ensure that:
A. The switch is left open
B. The switch is properly lined, secured, and locked if equipped
C. The switch is removed
D. The switch handle is removed
After operating a switch or derail, the employee must make certain the
device is properly lined, switch points fit properly, and the switch is
secured or locked if equipped.
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9. What does "clearance" refer to in switching operations?
A. The distance between two trains
B. The required space ensuring equipment does not foul an adjacent
track
C. The speed limit in a yard
D. The length of a train
Clearance is the minimum distance required to ensure that equipment
on one track does not foul (infringe upon) an adjacent track.
Equipment must not foul a track until switches and derails are
properly lined.
10. What should a switchman do if a switch is found defective?
A. Operate it anyway
B. Ignore it and use a different switch
C. Report the defect immediately and protect the switch
D. Attempt to repair it personally
Defective switches must be reported immediately and protected to
prevent accidents. An improperly aligned or defective switch can cause
a derailment.
11. When riding on the side of a railcar during a switching
movement, the switchman should:
A. Face away from the direction of travel
B. Face the direction of travel and maintain a secure grip
C. Sit on the edge of the car
D. Ride on the coupler
SWITCHMAN QUALIFICATION EXAMINATION
PREP 2026 ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
ALREADY A GRADED WITH EXPERT
FEEDBACK |NEW AND REVISED
1. What is the primary responsibility of a railroad switchman?
A. Repair locomotives
B. Operate passenger trains
C. Control and align switches, couple cars, and assist with safe train
movements
D. Maintain track signals
A switchman's primary duties involve safely directing rail movements,
operating switches, coupling equipment, and protecting train
operations within yards and terminals.
2. Before operating a hand-operated switch, a switchman should
first:
A. Increase train speed
B. Leave the area immediately
C. Verify the route and ensure the switch can be safely operated
D. Remove the switch lock permanently
Switches must only be operated after confirming the intended route
and ensuring no unsafe movement will occur.
3. A railroad switch is used to:
,2|Page
A. Stop locomotives automatically
B. Direct rail equipment from one track to another
C. Increase fuel efficiency
D. Repair damaged rails
Switches allow trains and railcars to move between different tracks
safely.
4. When coupling railcars, a switchman should:
A. Stand between moving cars
B. Ignore hand signals
C. Remain in a safe position and follow proper coupling procedures
D. Jump onto moving equipment
Proper positioning prevents crushing injuries and ensures safe
coupling operations.
5. The purpose of a derail device is to:
A. Increase train speed
B. Signal train movements
C. Prevent unauthorized movement of equipment onto a track
D. Couple cars together
A derail device is a safety mechanism that derails rolling stock to
prevent it from entering a track where it could cause harm. Derails
must be kept in the derailing position when not in use.
6. What is the maximum distance a switchman should stand from a
hand-operated switch after lining it for a main track movement?
,3|Page
A. 5 feet
B. 10 feet
C. 20 feet
D. 50 feet
After lining a hand-operated switch to or from the main track, the
safest position is away from the switch. FRA has proposed a 20-foot
minimum distance requirement.
7. When both hand-operated switches of a crossover are being used,
they must:
A. Be operated independently
B. Be properly lined for the crossover movement or both lined for
straight track
C. Always be left in the crossover position
D. Only one switch needs to be lined
Properly lined crossover switches must be in correspondence—both
lined for the crossover or both lined for straight track. Out-of-
correspondence crossovers can cause accidents.
8. After operating a switch, the switchman must ensure that:
A. The switch is left open
B. The switch is properly lined, secured, and locked if equipped
C. The switch is removed
D. The switch handle is removed
After operating a switch or derail, the employee must make certain the
device is properly lined, switch points fit properly, and the switch is
secured or locked if equipped.
, 4|Page
9. What does "clearance" refer to in switching operations?
A. The distance between two trains
B. The required space ensuring equipment does not foul an adjacent
track
C. The speed limit in a yard
D. The length of a train
Clearance is the minimum distance required to ensure that equipment
on one track does not foul (infringe upon) an adjacent track.
Equipment must not foul a track until switches and derails are
properly lined.
10. What should a switchman do if a switch is found defective?
A. Operate it anyway
B. Ignore it and use a different switch
C. Report the defect immediately and protect the switch
D. Attempt to repair it personally
Defective switches must be reported immediately and protected to
prevent accidents. An improperly aligned or defective switch can cause
a derailment.
11. When riding on the side of a railcar during a switching
movement, the switchman should:
A. Face away from the direction of travel
B. Face the direction of travel and maintain a secure grip
C. Sit on the edge of the car
D. Ride on the coupler
