UNION PACIFIC – SWITCHING
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS(RATED A+)
How must employees work to avoid damage to cars, equipment, structures or other
property? - ANSWERSafely and Efficiently
Can cars or engines be left out to foul adjacent tracks? - ANSWERNo
Where is kicking cars permitted? - ANSWERAuthorized locations when it will not
endanger employees, equipment, or contents of car.
When is dropping cars permitted? - ANSWERNever
What type of move can be utilized when it is necessary to reposition cars to the
opposite end of the engine? - ANSWERGravity Switch
What type of doors must crew members not attempt to close? - ANSWER*Plug
Doors* on cars
What if a plug door is found open on a train enroute? - ANSWERCar may continue in
train to next location where mechanical forces are made available to assist closing
If the location is not marked, how can an employee determine the location of the
clearance point? - ANSWERStand 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? -
ANSWERDo 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? -
ANSWERCrews switching must have clear understanding of movements to be
made.
What must be known before coupling to or moving cars? - ANSWERVerify
cars/engines properly secured and can be coupled and moved safety.
Maximum coupling speed - ANSWER4 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? - ANSWERAttach bad order
tag to hand brake wheel or lever.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS(RATED A+)
How must employees work to avoid damage to cars, equipment, structures or other
property? - ANSWERSafely and Efficiently
Can cars or engines be left out to foul adjacent tracks? - ANSWERNo
Where is kicking cars permitted? - ANSWERAuthorized locations when it will not
endanger employees, equipment, or contents of car.
When is dropping cars permitted? - ANSWERNever
What type of move can be utilized when it is necessary to reposition cars to the
opposite end of the engine? - ANSWERGravity Switch
What type of doors must crew members not attempt to close? - ANSWER*Plug
Doors* on cars
What if a plug door is found open on a train enroute? - ANSWERCar may continue in
train to next location where mechanical forces are made available to assist closing
If the location is not marked, how can an employee determine the location of the
clearance point? - ANSWERStand 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? -
ANSWERDo 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? -
ANSWERCrews switching must have clear understanding of movements to be
made.
What must be known before coupling to or moving cars? - ANSWERVerify
cars/engines properly secured and can be coupled and moved safety.
Maximum coupling speed - ANSWER4 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? - ANSWERAttach bad order
tag to hand brake wheel or lever.
