CSX Conductor Training Part 3: Air Brake
& Train Handling Rules UPDATED
ACTUAL QUESTIONS and CORRECT
Answers
Angle cock - CORRECT ANSWER - A valve located at each end of a locomotive or car
used to open or close the brake pipe. Handle in line means it's open. Handle crosswise means it's
closed.
Brake cylinder - CORRECT ANSWER - A device on cars and locomotives, which
converts the force of compressed air into a mechanical force to move brake shoes against the
wheels. Contains a piston and piston rod. Piston out mean brakes are applied. Piston released
inside means they are released
Brake pipe - CORRECT ANSWER - The pipe extending the length of the car, locomotive
or train through which air brakes are charged, applied and released.
Branch pipe cut out cock - CORRECT ANSWER - Device used for cutting in and cutting
out the control valve on a locomotive or car. Handle crosswise with pipe, the cut out cock is
open. Handle in line with pipe, the cut out cock is closed.
Brake cylinder release valve - CORRECT ANSWER - Valve designed to provide a means
for releasing brake cylinder pressure on a freight car by actuating a bleed rod near the control
valve that is to be identified by a small loop or handle on the bleed rod.
Control valve - CORRECT ANSWER - Device on locomotives in cars that charges,
applies and releases breaks in response to changes in brake pipe pressure.
Auxiliary reservoir - CORRECT ANSWER - A storage volume for compressed air,
charged from the brake pipe, which provides air pressure for use in service and emergency brake
applications.
, Emergency reservoir - CORRECT ANSWER - A storage volume for compressed air,
charged from the brake pipe, which provides air pressure for use in emergency brake application
and certain recharge features.
Reduction relay valve - CORRECT ANSWER - A device found on freight cars when the
length of the brake pipe is 75 feet or longer. Primary function of the A-1 reduction relay valve is
to assist the control valve with the venting of brake pipe air during train air brake application.
No. 8 Vent Valve - CORRECT ANSWER - Will malfunction and cause a continuous
exhaust of brake pipe air that prevents the brakes from releasing.
Safety appliance - CORRECT ANSWER - Stationary hand holds, ladder rungs, cross over
platforms and stirrups designed for climbing, riding or getting on or off equipment.
The air brake on a car must be considered inoperative when it has a brake cylinder piston travel
in excess of: - CORRECT ANSWER - 10.5 inches
What percentage of operative air brakes must each train at least have when in route? -
CORRECT ANSWER - 85%
While enroute each train must have an operative air brake on the: - CORRECT
ANSWER - Rear car
When calculating the number of operative air brakes count: - CORRECT ANSWER -
Locomotives as a car
Control valve on articulated equipment as a car
What is the correct air brake pipe pressure for road freight trains? - CORRECT
ANSWER - 90 PSI
& Train Handling Rules UPDATED
ACTUAL QUESTIONS and CORRECT
Answers
Angle cock - CORRECT ANSWER - A valve located at each end of a locomotive or car
used to open or close the brake pipe. Handle in line means it's open. Handle crosswise means it's
closed.
Brake cylinder - CORRECT ANSWER - A device on cars and locomotives, which
converts the force of compressed air into a mechanical force to move brake shoes against the
wheels. Contains a piston and piston rod. Piston out mean brakes are applied. Piston released
inside means they are released
Brake pipe - CORRECT ANSWER - The pipe extending the length of the car, locomotive
or train through which air brakes are charged, applied and released.
Branch pipe cut out cock - CORRECT ANSWER - Device used for cutting in and cutting
out the control valve on a locomotive or car. Handle crosswise with pipe, the cut out cock is
open. Handle in line with pipe, the cut out cock is closed.
Brake cylinder release valve - CORRECT ANSWER - Valve designed to provide a means
for releasing brake cylinder pressure on a freight car by actuating a bleed rod near the control
valve that is to be identified by a small loop or handle on the bleed rod.
Control valve - CORRECT ANSWER - Device on locomotives in cars that charges,
applies and releases breaks in response to changes in brake pipe pressure.
Auxiliary reservoir - CORRECT ANSWER - A storage volume for compressed air,
charged from the brake pipe, which provides air pressure for use in service and emergency brake
applications.
, Emergency reservoir - CORRECT ANSWER - A storage volume for compressed air,
charged from the brake pipe, which provides air pressure for use in emergency brake application
and certain recharge features.
Reduction relay valve - CORRECT ANSWER - A device found on freight cars when the
length of the brake pipe is 75 feet or longer. Primary function of the A-1 reduction relay valve is
to assist the control valve with the venting of brake pipe air during train air brake application.
No. 8 Vent Valve - CORRECT ANSWER - Will malfunction and cause a continuous
exhaust of brake pipe air that prevents the brakes from releasing.
Safety appliance - CORRECT ANSWER - Stationary hand holds, ladder rungs, cross over
platforms and stirrups designed for climbing, riding or getting on or off equipment.
The air brake on a car must be considered inoperative when it has a brake cylinder piston travel
in excess of: - CORRECT ANSWER - 10.5 inches
What percentage of operative air brakes must each train at least have when in route? -
CORRECT ANSWER - 85%
While enroute each train must have an operative air brake on the: - CORRECT
ANSWER - Rear car
When calculating the number of operative air brakes count: - CORRECT ANSWER -
Locomotives as a car
Control valve on articulated equipment as a car
What is the correct air brake pipe pressure for road freight trains? - CORRECT
ANSWER - 90 PSI
