BNSF CONDUCTOR EVALUATION EXAMS 2025/2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔6.25 Movement Against the Current of Traffic - ✔✔Movements against the current of
traffic must be authorized by track bulletin or track warrant, except as provided by:
• Rule 6.13 (Yard Limits).
• Rule 6.14 (Restricted Limits).
• Rule 9.15 (Track Permits).
• Rule 9.17.1 (Signal Protection in ABS by Lining Switch).
or
• Rule 16.1 (Authority to Enter DTC Limits).
Movements must approach block and interlocking signals prepared to stop unless
signals indicate proceed.
When a facing point movement will be made over a spring switch, comply with Rule
8.9.1 (Testing Spring Switch).
✔✔6.27 Movement at Restricted Speed - ✔✔When required to move at restricted
speed, movement must be made at a speed that allows stopping within half the range of
vision short of:
• Train.
• Engine.
• Railroad car.
• Men or equipment fouling the track.
• Stop signal.
or
• Derail or switch lined improperly.
When a train or engine is required to move at restricted speed, the crew must keep a
lookout for broken rail and not exceed 20 MPH.
Comply with these requirements until the leading wheels reach a point where movement
at restricted speed is no longer required.
✔✔6.28 Movement on Other than Main Track - ✔✔Except when moving on a main track
or on a track where a block system is in effect, trains or engines must move at a speed
that allows them to stop within half the range of vision short of:
• Train.
• Engine.
• Railroad car.
• Men or equipment fouling the track.
• Stop signal.
or
• Derail or switch lined improperly.
✔✔6.29.1 Inspecting Passing Trains - ✔✔Employees must inspect passing trains. If
they detect any of the following conditions, they must notify crew members on the
passing train by any available means:
,• Overheated journals.
• Sticking brakes.
• Sliding wheels.
• Wheels not properly positioned on the rail.
• Dragging equipment.
• Insecure contents.
• Signs of smoke or fire.
• Headlight or marker improperly displayed.
• Any other dangerous condition.
When possible, employees inspecting the passing train must advise crew members of
the condition of their train.
When possible, a crew member on the engine of the train being inspected must notify a
crew member on the rear of the train when the train is being inspected by other
employees.
✔✔6.29.1 Inspecting Passing Trains (Ground Inspection) - ✔✔When a train is stopped
and is met or passed by another train, crew members must inspect the passing train.
The trainman's inspection must be made from the ground if there is a safe
location.
• Dismount equipment on the side opposite approaching train.
• Do not cross adjacent tracks solely for the purpose of inspecting a passing train.
• During inclement weather, crew members may remain in the locomotive cab when
inspecting passing trains.
✔✔6.29.1 Inspecting Passing Trains (Trackside Warning Detectors) - ✔✔Crew
members must be aware of trackside warning detectors and signals from persons
inspecting their train. Stop the train immediately for an inspection when any of the
following conditions exist:
• A crew member receives a stop signal.
• A trackside warning detector indicates a train defect.
or
• A crew member is notified of a dangerous condition.
Movement must not proceed until it is safe.
✔✔6.32.1 Providing Warning Over Road Crossings - ✔✔When cars are shoved, kicked
or a gravity switch move is made over road crossings at grade, an employee must be on
the ground at the crossing to provide warning until crossing is occupied. Make any
movement over the crossing only on the employee's signal.
Warning is not required when crossing is equipped with:
• Gates that are fully lowered.
or
• Flashing lights or passive warning devices when it is clearly seen that no traffic is
approaching or stopped at the crossing. Shoving movements must not exceed 15 MPH
over crossing until occupied.
, ✔✔7.1 Switching Safely and Efficiently 1 - ✔✔While switching, employees must work
safely and efficiently and avoid damage to contents of cars, equipment, structures, or
other property.
Do not leave equipment standing where it will foul equipment on adjacent tracks or
cause injury to employees riding on the side of a car or engine.
On tracks where clearance point is indicated, leave equipment beyond the clearance
point.
✔✔7.1 Switching Safely and Efficiently 2 - ✔✔If the clearance point is not indicated or
visible, determine the clearance point by standing outside the rail of adjacent track and
extend arm towards the equipment. When unable to touch the equipment, leave
equipment at least an additional 50 feet into the track to ensure equipment is beyond
the clearance point.
✔✔7.1 Switching Safely and Efficiently 3 - ✔✔Equipment may be left on a:
• Main track, fouling a siding switch, when the switch is lined for the main track.
• Siding, fouling a main track switch, when the switch is lined for the siding.
• Yard switching lead, fouling a yard track switch when the switch is lined for the yard
switching lead.
or
• Industry track beyond the clearance point of the switch leading to the industry.
✔✔8.3 Main Track Switches 1 - ✔✔The normal position of a main track switch is for
main track movement, and it must be lined and locked in that position. At points where
double track begins, the normal position of a spring switch is for movement with the
current of traffic.
✔✔8.3 Main Track Switches 2 - ✔✔However, the main track switch may be left open:
• In CTC territory within track and time limits.
• When attended by a crew member or switch tender.
• During switching operations when it is certain that no other train or engine will pass
over the switch.
• For another train or engine when the switch is attended by a member of that crew.
• Within ABS limits when instructed by the train dispatcher at:
- The entering switch of a siding in Rule 9.14 (Movement with the Current of Traffic)
territory.
- Either switch of a siding in Rule 16.1 (Authority to Enter DTC Limits) territory.
• Within TWC territory when authorized by track warrant. Track warrant protection must
be provided for this condition. The switch must not be considered restored to normal
position until the train dispatcher is notified by an employee or train at that location.
✔✔8.3 Main Track Switches 3 - ✔✔or
• Within ABS-TWC, ABS-DTC, or Rule 9.14 (Movement with the Current of Traffic)
territory at the entering switch of a siding after the following has been done:
1. Communication has been established between crews of trains meeting or passing.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔6.25 Movement Against the Current of Traffic - ✔✔Movements against the current of
traffic must be authorized by track bulletin or track warrant, except as provided by:
• Rule 6.13 (Yard Limits).
• Rule 6.14 (Restricted Limits).
• Rule 9.15 (Track Permits).
• Rule 9.17.1 (Signal Protection in ABS by Lining Switch).
or
• Rule 16.1 (Authority to Enter DTC Limits).
Movements must approach block and interlocking signals prepared to stop unless
signals indicate proceed.
When a facing point movement will be made over a spring switch, comply with Rule
8.9.1 (Testing Spring Switch).
✔✔6.27 Movement at Restricted Speed - ✔✔When required to move at restricted
speed, movement must be made at a speed that allows stopping within half the range of
vision short of:
• Train.
• Engine.
• Railroad car.
• Men or equipment fouling the track.
• Stop signal.
or
• Derail or switch lined improperly.
When a train or engine is required to move at restricted speed, the crew must keep a
lookout for broken rail and not exceed 20 MPH.
Comply with these requirements until the leading wheels reach a point where movement
at restricted speed is no longer required.
✔✔6.28 Movement on Other than Main Track - ✔✔Except when moving on a main track
or on a track where a block system is in effect, trains or engines must move at a speed
that allows them to stop within half the range of vision short of:
• Train.
• Engine.
• Railroad car.
• Men or equipment fouling the track.
• Stop signal.
or
• Derail or switch lined improperly.
✔✔6.29.1 Inspecting Passing Trains - ✔✔Employees must inspect passing trains. If
they detect any of the following conditions, they must notify crew members on the
passing train by any available means:
,• Overheated journals.
• Sticking brakes.
• Sliding wheels.
• Wheels not properly positioned on the rail.
• Dragging equipment.
• Insecure contents.
• Signs of smoke or fire.
• Headlight or marker improperly displayed.
• Any other dangerous condition.
When possible, employees inspecting the passing train must advise crew members of
the condition of their train.
When possible, a crew member on the engine of the train being inspected must notify a
crew member on the rear of the train when the train is being inspected by other
employees.
✔✔6.29.1 Inspecting Passing Trains (Ground Inspection) - ✔✔When a train is stopped
and is met or passed by another train, crew members must inspect the passing train.
The trainman's inspection must be made from the ground if there is a safe
location.
• Dismount equipment on the side opposite approaching train.
• Do not cross adjacent tracks solely for the purpose of inspecting a passing train.
• During inclement weather, crew members may remain in the locomotive cab when
inspecting passing trains.
✔✔6.29.1 Inspecting Passing Trains (Trackside Warning Detectors) - ✔✔Crew
members must be aware of trackside warning detectors and signals from persons
inspecting their train. Stop the train immediately for an inspection when any of the
following conditions exist:
• A crew member receives a stop signal.
• A trackside warning detector indicates a train defect.
or
• A crew member is notified of a dangerous condition.
Movement must not proceed until it is safe.
✔✔6.32.1 Providing Warning Over Road Crossings - ✔✔When cars are shoved, kicked
or a gravity switch move is made over road crossings at grade, an employee must be on
the ground at the crossing to provide warning until crossing is occupied. Make any
movement over the crossing only on the employee's signal.
Warning is not required when crossing is equipped with:
• Gates that are fully lowered.
or
• Flashing lights or passive warning devices when it is clearly seen that no traffic is
approaching or stopped at the crossing. Shoving movements must not exceed 15 MPH
over crossing until occupied.
, ✔✔7.1 Switching Safely and Efficiently 1 - ✔✔While switching, employees must work
safely and efficiently and avoid damage to contents of cars, equipment, structures, or
other property.
Do not leave equipment standing where it will foul equipment on adjacent tracks or
cause injury to employees riding on the side of a car or engine.
On tracks where clearance point is indicated, leave equipment beyond the clearance
point.
✔✔7.1 Switching Safely and Efficiently 2 - ✔✔If the clearance point is not indicated or
visible, determine the clearance point by standing outside the rail of adjacent track and
extend arm towards the equipment. When unable to touch the equipment, leave
equipment at least an additional 50 feet into the track to ensure equipment is beyond
the clearance point.
✔✔7.1 Switching Safely and Efficiently 3 - ✔✔Equipment may be left on a:
• Main track, fouling a siding switch, when the switch is lined for the main track.
• Siding, fouling a main track switch, when the switch is lined for the siding.
• Yard switching lead, fouling a yard track switch when the switch is lined for the yard
switching lead.
or
• Industry track beyond the clearance point of the switch leading to the industry.
✔✔8.3 Main Track Switches 1 - ✔✔The normal position of a main track switch is for
main track movement, and it must be lined and locked in that position. At points where
double track begins, the normal position of a spring switch is for movement with the
current of traffic.
✔✔8.3 Main Track Switches 2 - ✔✔However, the main track switch may be left open:
• In CTC territory within track and time limits.
• When attended by a crew member or switch tender.
• During switching operations when it is certain that no other train or engine will pass
over the switch.
• For another train or engine when the switch is attended by a member of that crew.
• Within ABS limits when instructed by the train dispatcher at:
- The entering switch of a siding in Rule 9.14 (Movement with the Current of Traffic)
territory.
- Either switch of a siding in Rule 16.1 (Authority to Enter DTC Limits) territory.
• Within TWC territory when authorized by track warrant. Track warrant protection must
be provided for this condition. The switch must not be considered restored to normal
position until the train dispatcher is notified by an employee or train at that location.
✔✔8.3 Main Track Switches 3 - ✔✔or
• Within ABS-TWC, ABS-DTC, or Rule 9.14 (Movement with the Current of Traffic)
territory at the entering switch of a siding after the following has been done:
1. Communication has been established between crews of trains meeting or passing.
