UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD
CONDUCTOR FINAL EXAM With Actual
Questions & Verified Answers ,Plus
Explained Rationales/Expert Verified
For Guaranteed Pass 2026/Latest
Update/Instant Download Pdf
1. When preparing to couple two freight cars, the movement must
be stopped approximately ___ feet before the coupling is made.
o A) 25
o B) 50
o C) 75
o D) 100
o B)
Rationale: Many railroad rules specify stopping about
50 feet before coupling passenger or freight cars to allow
safe alignment and inspection of knuckles. (Example from
sample test items.)
2. If you are completing a Class I Initial Terminal Air Brake Test on
your train and you discover no air pressure is reaching the rear
of your train, you should first check that:
o A) Nothing – notify the train dispatcher.
, o B) Air hoses are properly coupled and angle cocks are
positioned correctly.
o C) Hand brakes are released and reservoirs drained.
o B)
Rationale: If no pressure reaches the rear, the most likely
issue is couplers/angle cocks not aligned; inspecting those
is the logical first step before other actions.
3. What is considered a “solid block of cars”?
o A) One or more cars that are destined for the same
location.
o B) One or more cars coupled together that are charged or
have not been “off-air” for more than 24 hours, have been
tested as outlined in a Class I air brake test and inspected
per the applicable rule.
o C) Cars that have been tested with yard air, disconnected
for four hours, and will be moved within the next four
hours.
o B)
_Rationale: The definition used in exam prep materials
defines a solid block as cars that are charged/“on air” for
less than 24 hours and have passed the required
inspection and test protocol. _
4. Before performing an emergency application capability test
from the rear of the train, the crew must:
o A) Close the branch pipe cut-out cock on the rear car.
o B) Close the angle cock ahead of the last car.
, o C) Leave the angle cock open between the rear of train
and EOT.
o B)
Rationale: The correct procedure is to close the angle cock
ahead of the last car to isolate the test section so one can
observe if the emergency application travels rearward as
required.
5. When passing a solid yellow signal aspect while on the main
track inside yard limits, the required action is:
o A) Proceed prepared to stop at the next signal; freight
trains exceeding 30 mph must immediately reduce to
30 mph.
o B) Proceed at restricted speed.
o C) Proceed prepared to stop at second signal; freight
trains exceeding 30 mph must immediately reduce to
30 mph.
o B)
Rationale: The correct action is to proceed at restricted
speed, meaning speed that permits stopping short of any
obstruction. The other options specify extra conditions not
appropriate for solid yellow in yard limits.
6. When the signal aspect is flashing red, the train must:
o A) Proceed prepared to stop at next signal; freight trains
exceeding 40 mph must reduce to 40 mph.
o B) Proceed at restricted speed, not exceeding prescribed
speed through turnout when applicable.
, o C) Stop before any part of train passes the next signal;
freight trains exceeding 30 mph must reduce to 30 mph.
o B)
Rationale: For flashing red, the rule is proceed at restricted
speed (which is slower than normal) and account for
turnout speed if applicable.
7. Which rulebook is commonly used by Class I railroads west of
Chicago including for operating rules like those for conductors?
o A) NORAC
o B) GCOR (General Code of Operating Rules)
o C) AREMA Manual of Railway Engineering
o D) FRA Handbook
o B)
_Rationale: The GCOR is the set of operating rules used by
many Class I railroads west of Chicago, covering safe train
movement, signaling, etc.
8. A crew is instructed to pick up 5 cars that are not part of a solid
block of cars. During inspection you find one of the cars has
inoperative brakes. What must be done?
o A) Leave the car, place bad-order tags on both sides, and
report it to the dispatcher.
o B) Take the car if operable brake percentage remains
above 85%.
o C) Report to dispatcher and take it to next terminal for
repair.
CONDUCTOR FINAL EXAM With Actual
Questions & Verified Answers ,Plus
Explained Rationales/Expert Verified
For Guaranteed Pass 2026/Latest
Update/Instant Download Pdf
1. When preparing to couple two freight cars, the movement must
be stopped approximately ___ feet before the coupling is made.
o A) 25
o B) 50
o C) 75
o D) 100
o B)
Rationale: Many railroad rules specify stopping about
50 feet before coupling passenger or freight cars to allow
safe alignment and inspection of knuckles. (Example from
sample test items.)
2. If you are completing a Class I Initial Terminal Air Brake Test on
your train and you discover no air pressure is reaching the rear
of your train, you should first check that:
o A) Nothing – notify the train dispatcher.
, o B) Air hoses are properly coupled and angle cocks are
positioned correctly.
o C) Hand brakes are released and reservoirs drained.
o B)
Rationale: If no pressure reaches the rear, the most likely
issue is couplers/angle cocks not aligned; inspecting those
is the logical first step before other actions.
3. What is considered a “solid block of cars”?
o A) One or more cars that are destined for the same
location.
o B) One or more cars coupled together that are charged or
have not been “off-air” for more than 24 hours, have been
tested as outlined in a Class I air brake test and inspected
per the applicable rule.
o C) Cars that have been tested with yard air, disconnected
for four hours, and will be moved within the next four
hours.
o B)
_Rationale: The definition used in exam prep materials
defines a solid block as cars that are charged/“on air” for
less than 24 hours and have passed the required
inspection and test protocol. _
4. Before performing an emergency application capability test
from the rear of the train, the crew must:
o A) Close the branch pipe cut-out cock on the rear car.
o B) Close the angle cock ahead of the last car.
, o C) Leave the angle cock open between the rear of train
and EOT.
o B)
Rationale: The correct procedure is to close the angle cock
ahead of the last car to isolate the test section so one can
observe if the emergency application travels rearward as
required.
5. When passing a solid yellow signal aspect while on the main
track inside yard limits, the required action is:
o A) Proceed prepared to stop at the next signal; freight
trains exceeding 30 mph must immediately reduce to
30 mph.
o B) Proceed at restricted speed.
o C) Proceed prepared to stop at second signal; freight
trains exceeding 30 mph must immediately reduce to
30 mph.
o B)
Rationale: The correct action is to proceed at restricted
speed, meaning speed that permits stopping short of any
obstruction. The other options specify extra conditions not
appropriate for solid yellow in yard limits.
6. When the signal aspect is flashing red, the train must:
o A) Proceed prepared to stop at next signal; freight trains
exceeding 40 mph must reduce to 40 mph.
o B) Proceed at restricted speed, not exceeding prescribed
speed through turnout when applicable.
, o C) Stop before any part of train passes the next signal;
freight trains exceeding 30 mph must reduce to 30 mph.
o B)
Rationale: For flashing red, the rule is proceed at restricted
speed (which is slower than normal) and account for
turnout speed if applicable.
7. Which rulebook is commonly used by Class I railroads west of
Chicago including for operating rules like those for conductors?
o A) NORAC
o B) GCOR (General Code of Operating Rules)
o C) AREMA Manual of Railway Engineering
o D) FRA Handbook
o B)
_Rationale: The GCOR is the set of operating rules used by
many Class I railroads west of Chicago, covering safe train
movement, signaling, etc.
8. A crew is instructed to pick up 5 cars that are not part of a solid
block of cars. During inspection you find one of the cars has
inoperative brakes. What must be done?
o A) Leave the car, place bad-order tags on both sides, and
report it to the dispatcher.
o B) Take the car if operable brake percentage remains
above 85%.
o C) Report to dispatcher and take it to next terminal for
repair.
