GCOR Practice Test Study Guide
1. Dual Control Switch: A power operated switch, movable point frog, or derail that can also be operated by hand.
2. Electric Switch Lock: An electrically controlled lock that restricts the use of a hand operated switch or derail.
3. Absolute Signal: A block or interlocking signal without a number plate or designated by an A marker.
4. Automatic Block System (ABS): A series of consecutive blocks governed by block signals, cab signals,
or both. The signals are activated by a train or by certain conditions that attect the block use.
5. Block: A length of track between consecutive block signals or between a block signal and the end of block system limits.
6. Centralized Traffic Control (CTC): A block system that uses block signal indications to authorize train movements.
7. Control Operator: An employee assigned to operate a CTC or interlocking control machine or authorized to grant track permits.
8. Control Point: The location of absolute signals controlled by a central operator or a railroad identifiable point as defined in the
Timetable.
9. Controlled Siding: A siding within CTC and Interlocking limits where a signal indication authorizes the siding's use.
10. Controlled Signal: An absolute signal controlled by a control operator.
11. Controlled Track: Track upon which the railroad's operating rules require that all movements of trains must
be authorized by a train dispatcher or a control operator.
12. Crossover: A combination of two switches that connect two adjacent tracks.
13. Interlocking Signals: The fixed signals of an interlocking that govern trains using interlocking limits.
14. Loaded Bulk Commodity Train: Loaded Unit Trains are defined as a train of 50 or more loaded cars
in a block, each weighing 125 tons gross weight or more (bulk commodities), such as coal, grain, soda ash, etc.
15. Main Track: A track extending through yards and between stations that must be occupied without authority or protection.
16. Non-Controlled Track: Track upon which trains are permitted by railroad rule or special instruction to move without
receiving authorization from train dispatcher or control operator.
17. Off-Track Equipment: Machines that may be operated on the right of way foul of track.
18. Proceed Indication: Any block signal indication that allows a train to proceed without stopping.
19. Reverse Movement: A movement opposite the authorized direction.
20. Siding: A track connected to the main track and used for meeting or passing trains. Locations of sidings are
,shown int he Timetable.
, 21. Special Instructions: Instructions contained in the Timetable or other publications.
22. Station: A place designated by name in the Timetable station column.
23. Track Bulletin: A notice of conditions affecting train movement. It may also authorize movement against the
current of traffic where rule 9.14 (movement with the Current of Traffic) is in effect.
24. Track Car: Any equipment which is designed to operate on the rail, other than a Locomotive or railroad car.
25. Track Warrant Control (TWC): A method to authorize train movements or protect man or machines
on a main track within specified limits in a territory designated by the timeline.
26. Train: One or more engines coupled, with or without cars, displaying a marker, and authorized to operate on the main
track.
27. Yard Limit: A portion of main track designated by yard limit signs and time table special instructions or a track bulletin.
28. Any employee operating a radio must do the following: Before transmitting, listen long enough to
make sure the channel is not being used. Give the required identification. Not proceed with further transmission until acknowledgement
is received.
29. For Mobile Units: Name or initials of the railroad
Train name(number), engine number, or words that identify the precise mobile unit.
30. Ending Radio Transmissions - "Over": When a response is expected
31. Ending Radio Transmissions - "OUT": Preceded by required identification when NO RESPONSE
is expected.
32. Watch or Clock: MUST Be in good working condition and reliable.
Display hours, minutes and seconds
Not vary from the correct time by more than 30 seconds
Be compared with the same time source designated in special instructions.
33. Train Dispatchers: Supervise train movement and any employees connected with that movement.
34. Safety: Is the most important element in performing duties.
35. Obeying the rules: is essential to job safety and continued employment.
36. Safe Course: In case of doubt or uncertainty, take the safest course.
1. Dual Control Switch: A power operated switch, movable point frog, or derail that can also be operated by hand.
2. Electric Switch Lock: An electrically controlled lock that restricts the use of a hand operated switch or derail.
3. Absolute Signal: A block or interlocking signal without a number plate or designated by an A marker.
4. Automatic Block System (ABS): A series of consecutive blocks governed by block signals, cab signals,
or both. The signals are activated by a train or by certain conditions that attect the block use.
5. Block: A length of track between consecutive block signals or between a block signal and the end of block system limits.
6. Centralized Traffic Control (CTC): A block system that uses block signal indications to authorize train movements.
7. Control Operator: An employee assigned to operate a CTC or interlocking control machine or authorized to grant track permits.
8. Control Point: The location of absolute signals controlled by a central operator or a railroad identifiable point as defined in the
Timetable.
9. Controlled Siding: A siding within CTC and Interlocking limits where a signal indication authorizes the siding's use.
10. Controlled Signal: An absolute signal controlled by a control operator.
11. Controlled Track: Track upon which the railroad's operating rules require that all movements of trains must
be authorized by a train dispatcher or a control operator.
12. Crossover: A combination of two switches that connect two adjacent tracks.
13. Interlocking Signals: The fixed signals of an interlocking that govern trains using interlocking limits.
14. Loaded Bulk Commodity Train: Loaded Unit Trains are defined as a train of 50 or more loaded cars
in a block, each weighing 125 tons gross weight or more (bulk commodities), such as coal, grain, soda ash, etc.
15. Main Track: A track extending through yards and between stations that must be occupied without authority or protection.
16. Non-Controlled Track: Track upon which trains are permitted by railroad rule or special instruction to move without
receiving authorization from train dispatcher or control operator.
17. Off-Track Equipment: Machines that may be operated on the right of way foul of track.
18. Proceed Indication: Any block signal indication that allows a train to proceed without stopping.
19. Reverse Movement: A movement opposite the authorized direction.
20. Siding: A track connected to the main track and used for meeting or passing trains. Locations of sidings are
,shown int he Timetable.
, 21. Special Instructions: Instructions contained in the Timetable or other publications.
22. Station: A place designated by name in the Timetable station column.
23. Track Bulletin: A notice of conditions affecting train movement. It may also authorize movement against the
current of traffic where rule 9.14 (movement with the Current of Traffic) is in effect.
24. Track Car: Any equipment which is designed to operate on the rail, other than a Locomotive or railroad car.
25. Track Warrant Control (TWC): A method to authorize train movements or protect man or machines
on a main track within specified limits in a territory designated by the timeline.
26. Train: One or more engines coupled, with or without cars, displaying a marker, and authorized to operate on the main
track.
27. Yard Limit: A portion of main track designated by yard limit signs and time table special instructions or a track bulletin.
28. Any employee operating a radio must do the following: Before transmitting, listen long enough to
make sure the channel is not being used. Give the required identification. Not proceed with further transmission until acknowledgement
is received.
29. For Mobile Units: Name or initials of the railroad
Train name(number), engine number, or words that identify the precise mobile unit.
30. Ending Radio Transmissions - "Over": When a response is expected
31. Ending Radio Transmissions - "OUT": Preceded by required identification when NO RESPONSE
is expected.
32. Watch or Clock: MUST Be in good working condition and reliable.
Display hours, minutes and seconds
Not vary from the correct time by more than 30 seconds
Be compared with the same time source designated in special instructions.
33. Train Dispatchers: Supervise train movement and any employees connected with that movement.
34. Safety: Is the most important element in performing duties.
35. Obeying the rules: is essential to job safety and continued employment.
36. Safe Course: In case of doubt or uncertainty, take the safest course.
