CP EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2025/2026 RATED 100% CORRECT!!
What happens if a train separates while moving? Answer - Emergency brake
engages after rapid decline in brake pipe pressure.
What should you do if you see someone perform an unsafe act? Answer -
Interact with them, discuss what about their actions are unsafe, correct and
find the safe way to proceed. Report if necessary.
Name cars that should be switched with locomotives always attached? Answer
- Transformers, circuit breakers, traction motors, wheel sets.
What 3 things must you verify on a TGBO? Answer - Correct train symbol,
limits cover specific routing, correct number of pages
What is a cause of sticking brakes? Answer - Insufficient brake pipe reduction.
What are the two documents crews use to identify switching tasks? Answer -
Work order and pull back list.
What is a work order? Answer - Shows equipment to lift and set off, location
(customer, industrial, siding, or yard), and destination of equipment.
,What is a pull back list? Answer - Shows equipment to lift and set off, track
number, and destination of the equipment.
Define spotting a car. Answer - Placing a car in a particular location for loading
and offloading.
Is a DOB (Daily Operating Bulletin) an instruction or an authority? Answer -
Instruction
What is an instruction? Answer - Are general and apply to everyone or an area.
What is an authority? Answer - Are narrow. They are specific to your
movement.
When do standing inspections happen? Answer - When equipment is
stationary.
When do pull by inspections happen? Answer - Train is moving at 15 MPH or
less.
When do running inspections happen? Answer - Train is running, inspection is
performed from the cab.
When do passing train inspections happen? Answer - Performed by a qualified
employee when a train is passing by them.
What does EOT stand for? Answer - End of train.
, What is needed before installing or removing an EOT/SBU device? Answer - 3
point protection
What are 3 types of hand brakes? Answer - Vertical wheel, horizontal wheel,
lever action
What must you do before performing a train brake test? Answer - Properly
position all cocks and valves, couple brake pipe air hoses, release handbrakes
(unless required by grade), ensure rear car is charged to within 15psi of brake
pipe pressure, if using air flow method, air flow indicators must be calibrated
What is the brake pipe pressure for passenger service? Answer - 90 psi
What is the brake pipe pressure for freight service? Answer - 90 psi
What is the brake pipe pressure for yard test plant? Answer - 75 psi
Define a heavy grade. Answer - A portion of track, 2 miles in length or greater,
with an average grade greater than 1%, less than or equal to 1.8%.
How do you test hand brake effectiveness? Answer - Allow the slacks to adjust,
apply sufficient tractive effort to determine that the hand brakes prevent
equipment from moving.
Who can perform a "No. 1" brake test? Answer - Certified car inspector.
Who can perform a "No. 1A" brake test? Answer - Qualified person(s)
Who can perform a "Continuity" brake test? Answer - Qualified person(s)
2025/2026 RATED 100% CORRECT!!
What happens if a train separates while moving? Answer - Emergency brake
engages after rapid decline in brake pipe pressure.
What should you do if you see someone perform an unsafe act? Answer -
Interact with them, discuss what about their actions are unsafe, correct and
find the safe way to proceed. Report if necessary.
Name cars that should be switched with locomotives always attached? Answer
- Transformers, circuit breakers, traction motors, wheel sets.
What 3 things must you verify on a TGBO? Answer - Correct train symbol,
limits cover specific routing, correct number of pages
What is a cause of sticking brakes? Answer - Insufficient brake pipe reduction.
What are the two documents crews use to identify switching tasks? Answer -
Work order and pull back list.
What is a work order? Answer - Shows equipment to lift and set off, location
(customer, industrial, siding, or yard), and destination of equipment.
,What is a pull back list? Answer - Shows equipment to lift and set off, track
number, and destination of the equipment.
Define spotting a car. Answer - Placing a car in a particular location for loading
and offloading.
Is a DOB (Daily Operating Bulletin) an instruction or an authority? Answer -
Instruction
What is an instruction? Answer - Are general and apply to everyone or an area.
What is an authority? Answer - Are narrow. They are specific to your
movement.
When do standing inspections happen? Answer - When equipment is
stationary.
When do pull by inspections happen? Answer - Train is moving at 15 MPH or
less.
When do running inspections happen? Answer - Train is running, inspection is
performed from the cab.
When do passing train inspections happen? Answer - Performed by a qualified
employee when a train is passing by them.
What does EOT stand for? Answer - End of train.
, What is needed before installing or removing an EOT/SBU device? Answer - 3
point protection
What are 3 types of hand brakes? Answer - Vertical wheel, horizontal wheel,
lever action
What must you do before performing a train brake test? Answer - Properly
position all cocks and valves, couple brake pipe air hoses, release handbrakes
(unless required by grade), ensure rear car is charged to within 15psi of brake
pipe pressure, if using air flow method, air flow indicators must be calibrated
What is the brake pipe pressure for passenger service? Answer - 90 psi
What is the brake pipe pressure for freight service? Answer - 90 psi
What is the brake pipe pressure for yard test plant? Answer - 75 psi
Define a heavy grade. Answer - A portion of track, 2 miles in length or greater,
with an average grade greater than 1%, less than or equal to 1.8%.
How do you test hand brake effectiveness? Answer - Allow the slacks to adjust,
apply sufficient tractive effort to determine that the hand brakes prevent
equipment from moving.
Who can perform a "No. 1" brake test? Answer - Certified car inspector.
Who can perform a "No. 1A" brake test? Answer - Qualified person(s)
Who can perform a "Continuity" brake test? Answer - Qualified person(s)
