Union Pacific – Switching Exam
Questions and Answers
How must employees work to avoid damage to cars, equipment, structures or other
property? - Answer-Safely and Efficiently
Can cars or engines be left out to foul adjacent tracks? - Answer-No
If the location is not marked, how can an employee determine the location of the
clearance point? - Answer-Stand outside rail of adjacent track and extend arm outwards
towards equipment. When unable to touch equipment, leave equipment an additional 50
feet into track to ensure equipment beyond clearance point.
What must employees ensure prior to tying up or leaving switching locations? - Answer-
Do not leave equipment standing where it will foul equipment on adjacent tracks or
cause injury to employees riding on side of car.
What must be done when engines are working at both ends of a track? - Answer-Crews
switching must have clear understanding of movements to be made.
What must be known before coupling to or moving cars? - Answer-Verify cars/engines
properly secured and can be coupled and moved safety.
Maximum coupling speed - Answer-4 MPH
What must be done to determine that all couplings have been made? - Answer-*Engine
direction changed* to remove slack.
What must be done if a hand brake is not operational? - Answer-Attach bad order tag to
hand brake wheel or lever.
When can the hand brakes be released once the engine is coupled to a train or cars
standing on a grade? - Answer-Once air brakes are fully charged.
Where is kicking cars permitted? - Answer-Authorized locations when it will not
endanger employees, equipment, or contents of car.
When is dropping cars permitted? - Answer-Never
What type of move can be utilized when it is necessary to reposition cars to the
opposite end of the engine? - Answer-Gravity Switch
What type of doors must crew members not attempt to close? - Answer-*Plug Doors* on
cars
Questions and Answers
How must employees work to avoid damage to cars, equipment, structures or other
property? - Answer-Safely and Efficiently
Can cars or engines be left out to foul adjacent tracks? - Answer-No
If the location is not marked, how can an employee determine the location of the
clearance point? - Answer-Stand outside rail of adjacent track and extend arm outwards
towards equipment. When unable to touch equipment, leave equipment an additional 50
feet into track to ensure equipment beyond clearance point.
What must employees ensure prior to tying up or leaving switching locations? - Answer-
Do not leave equipment standing where it will foul equipment on adjacent tracks or
cause injury to employees riding on side of car.
What must be done when engines are working at both ends of a track? - Answer-Crews
switching must have clear understanding of movements to be made.
What must be known before coupling to or moving cars? - Answer-Verify cars/engines
properly secured and can be coupled and moved safety.
Maximum coupling speed - Answer-4 MPH
What must be done to determine that all couplings have been made? - Answer-*Engine
direction changed* to remove slack.
What must be done if a hand brake is not operational? - Answer-Attach bad order tag to
hand brake wheel or lever.
When can the hand brakes be released once the engine is coupled to a train or cars
standing on a grade? - Answer-Once air brakes are fully charged.
Where is kicking cars permitted? - Answer-Authorized locations when it will not
endanger employees, equipment, or contents of car.
When is dropping cars permitted? - Answer-Never
What type of move can be utilized when it is necessary to reposition cars to the
opposite end of the engine? - Answer-Gravity Switch
What type of doors must crew members not attempt to close? - Answer-*Plug Doors* on
cars
