NORFOLK SOUTHERN BOOTCAMP 280 QUESTIONS &
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST 2026
what must happen when cars not headed by an engine are moved over any
-public crossing?
-private crossing outside of yard?
-pedestrian crossing outside of yard?
-yard access crossing? - ANSWER-crew member must be on ground to warn
traffic until leading end has passed
when do you not need to protect a crossing? - ANSWER--crossing gates are fully
lowered and not malfunctioning
-crossing has flashing lights, no traffic, and leading end is not over 15mph
-crossing has crossbucks or stop sign and no traffic, leading end not over 15mph,
employee is and leading end prepared to give signals
-qualified employee stationed at crossing
-crossing inaccessible to vehicles
when practicable, equipment must be left how far from public crossing? If
equipment is left close to crossing, what must happen? - ANSWER--300 feet
-crew member must provide warning to cars/people
if crossing has lights and bars, train cannot enter crossing until... - ANSWER-lights
have been flashing for at least 20 seconds and bars have been down for at least 5
seconds
,-or until crossing is protected by flag
there is a false/partial activation of an automatic warning device. How can you
proceed if there is...
-flaggers for each direction of traffic?
-police officer present?
-flagger present, but not for each direction?
-no flagger or police? - ANSWER--normal speed
-normal speed
-caution-15mph until leading edge is over
-caution-15mph until leading edge is over
there is an activation failure of an automatic warning device. How can you proceed
if there is...
-flaggers for each direction of traffic?
-police officer present?
-flagger present, but not for each direction?
-no flagger or police? - ANSWER--normal speed
-normal speed
-caution-15mph until leading edge is over
-stop- crewmember flags traffic and reboards
all return movements (recoupling cars) should be made at... - ANSWER-restricted
speed
where should a crewmember be when recoupling? - ANSWER-at, on, or ahead of
leading end of return movement
,if you see anything that could interfere with safe passage you must... - ANSWER-
radio dispatch
if you pass over a dangerous defect (tree) the train must... - ANSWER-be stopped
and inspected
if train is going through curve during inclement weather it must... - ANSWER-
reduce speed
once a dispatcher is aware of a reported unsafe condition they will... - ANSWER-
issue a 10 mph slow order to affected trains
when a dispatcher is notified of a train that is stopped by emergency brakes, they
will... - ANSWER-issue a slow order to the affected track that is half the speed of
the posted limit but will not exceed 30mph
if an E-brake application did not result in train separation, a slow order will remain
in effect until... - ANSWER--the next train passes without incident
-OR MW&S employee inspects track and clears it for higher speed
if an E-brake application does result in train separation, a slow order will remain in
effect until... - ANSWER-MW&S employee inspects track and clears it for higher
speed
-(this does not apply if separation occurs from a stop and train has moved 1 train-
length or less)
, if you are on moving train, foul track, or within 4 feet of nearest rail, and you have
your phone turned off but in your pocket, is that a violation? - ANSWER-yes-turn
phone of and put it in bag before you even get out of your car
must have all electronic devices off and not on your person when... - ANSWER-on
moving train, foul track, within 4 feet of track, a crewmember is on the ground or
equipment, or employee is assisting with repair to train
-includes railroad supplied electronic devices
any electronic device can be used when... - ANSWER--responding to an
emergency situation
-referring to a rule (book is available on E-format)
you must reming engineer about slow orders, conditional stop signs, or end of
authorized limits when?
-you must also communicate to... - ANSWER--2 miles in advance
-dispatch all signal affecting trains movement 2 miles in advance
if equipment is left on track near crossing and blocks the view of other track, crew
member must... - ANSWER-signal vehicles and people for movement on adjacent
track
you are stopped at a stop signal waiting for a train to pass that is 20 miles away.
you have a job briefing with the engineer to determine that you could use your
phone to with a friend happy birthday. they do not answer so you text them. is this
permitted? - ANSWER-yes
4 Cs of communication - ANSWER-clear concise confirmed and consistent
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST 2026
what must happen when cars not headed by an engine are moved over any
-public crossing?
-private crossing outside of yard?
-pedestrian crossing outside of yard?
-yard access crossing? - ANSWER-crew member must be on ground to warn
traffic until leading end has passed
when do you not need to protect a crossing? - ANSWER--crossing gates are fully
lowered and not malfunctioning
-crossing has flashing lights, no traffic, and leading end is not over 15mph
-crossing has crossbucks or stop sign and no traffic, leading end not over 15mph,
employee is and leading end prepared to give signals
-qualified employee stationed at crossing
-crossing inaccessible to vehicles
when practicable, equipment must be left how far from public crossing? If
equipment is left close to crossing, what must happen? - ANSWER--300 feet
-crew member must provide warning to cars/people
if crossing has lights and bars, train cannot enter crossing until... - ANSWER-lights
have been flashing for at least 20 seconds and bars have been down for at least 5
seconds
,-or until crossing is protected by flag
there is a false/partial activation of an automatic warning device. How can you
proceed if there is...
-flaggers for each direction of traffic?
-police officer present?
-flagger present, but not for each direction?
-no flagger or police? - ANSWER--normal speed
-normal speed
-caution-15mph until leading edge is over
-caution-15mph until leading edge is over
there is an activation failure of an automatic warning device. How can you proceed
if there is...
-flaggers for each direction of traffic?
-police officer present?
-flagger present, but not for each direction?
-no flagger or police? - ANSWER--normal speed
-normal speed
-caution-15mph until leading edge is over
-stop- crewmember flags traffic and reboards
all return movements (recoupling cars) should be made at... - ANSWER-restricted
speed
where should a crewmember be when recoupling? - ANSWER-at, on, or ahead of
leading end of return movement
,if you see anything that could interfere with safe passage you must... - ANSWER-
radio dispatch
if you pass over a dangerous defect (tree) the train must... - ANSWER-be stopped
and inspected
if train is going through curve during inclement weather it must... - ANSWER-
reduce speed
once a dispatcher is aware of a reported unsafe condition they will... - ANSWER-
issue a 10 mph slow order to affected trains
when a dispatcher is notified of a train that is stopped by emergency brakes, they
will... - ANSWER-issue a slow order to the affected track that is half the speed of
the posted limit but will not exceed 30mph
if an E-brake application did not result in train separation, a slow order will remain
in effect until... - ANSWER--the next train passes without incident
-OR MW&S employee inspects track and clears it for higher speed
if an E-brake application does result in train separation, a slow order will remain in
effect until... - ANSWER-MW&S employee inspects track and clears it for higher
speed
-(this does not apply if separation occurs from a stop and train has moved 1 train-
length or less)
, if you are on moving train, foul track, or within 4 feet of nearest rail, and you have
your phone turned off but in your pocket, is that a violation? - ANSWER-yes-turn
phone of and put it in bag before you even get out of your car
must have all electronic devices off and not on your person when... - ANSWER-on
moving train, foul track, within 4 feet of track, a crewmember is on the ground or
equipment, or employee is assisting with repair to train
-includes railroad supplied electronic devices
any electronic device can be used when... - ANSWER--responding to an
emergency situation
-referring to a rule (book is available on E-format)
you must reming engineer about slow orders, conditional stop signs, or end of
authorized limits when?
-you must also communicate to... - ANSWER--2 miles in advance
-dispatch all signal affecting trains movement 2 miles in advance
if equipment is left on track near crossing and blocks the view of other track, crew
member must... - ANSWER-signal vehicles and people for movement on adjacent
track
you are stopped at a stop signal waiting for a train to pass that is 20 miles away.
you have a job briefing with the engineer to determine that you could use your
phone to with a friend happy birthday. they do not answer so you text them. is this
permitted? - ANSWER-yes
4 Cs of communication - ANSWER-clear concise confirmed and consistent
