BNSF Conductor Final Exam Study Guide | 100% Correct Answers | Verified | Latest 2024 Version A track extending through yards and between stations that must not be occupied without authority or protection. Main Track A fixed signal at the entrance of a block that governs trains entering and using that block. Block Signal A notice containing track bulletin restrictions and other conditions affecting train movement. General Track Bulletin 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 affect the block use. Automatic Block Signal System (ABS) Two or more main tracks that are used according to the timetable. Multiple Main Tracks Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1A Good Faith Challenge A. Right to Challenge Federal Regulations have provisions that allow an employee the right to challenge a directive which, based upon the employee's good faith determination, would violate a railroad operating rule relating to: • Shoving movements. • Leaving equipment foul of an adjacent track. or • Handling of hand -operated switches or fixed derails. Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1B B. Good Faith Challenge Procedure 1. An employee may inform a supervisor issuing a directive that a good faith determination has been made that the directive would violate a railroad operating rule relating to: • Shoving movements. • Leaving equipment foul of an adjacent track. or • Handling of hand -operated switches or fixed derails. 2. The supervisor will not require the employee to comply with the directive until the challenge is resolved. The supervisor may: • Require the challenging employee to perform other tasks not related to the challenge until the challenge is resolved. or • Direct an employee, other than the challenging employee, to perform the challenged task before the challenge is resolved. Employee so directed will be informed of the challenge, and determine that the challenged task does not violate the rules. Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1C C. Resolving Good Faith Challenge 1. A challenge may be resolved by one of the following: • The supervisor's acceptance of the employee's request. • An employee's acceptance of the directive. • An employee's agreement to a compromise solution acceptable to the person issuing the directive. 2. If the challenge cannot be resolved because the supervisor issuing the directive has determined that the employee's challenge has not been made in good faith or there is no alternative to the direct order, the railroad will: • Provide immediate review by at least one manager, which must not be conducted bythe supervisor issuing the challenged directive or that supervisor's subordinate. • Resolve the challenge using the same options available for resolving the challenge as the initial supervisor. 3. If the manager making the final decision concludes that the challenged directive would not cause the employee to violate any requirement of the involved rules, the reviewing manager's decision shall be final and not subject to further immediate review. • The manager will inform the employee that Federal law may protect the employee from retaliation, if the employee's refusal to do the work is a lawful, good faith act. • The employee making the challenge will be afforded an opportunity to document, in writing or electronically, any protest to the manager making the final decision before the employee's tour of duty is complete. The employee will be afforded the opportunit y to retain a copy of the protest. Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1D D. Request for Review and Verification of Decision Upon written request, at the time of the challenge, the employee has the right for further review by the "Designated Review Manager". Within 30 days after the expiration of the month during which the challenge occurred, the "Designated Review Manager" will verify the proper application of the rule in question. The verification decision shall be made in writing to the employee. Duties of Crew Members Rule 1.47 The conductor and the engineer are responsible for the safety and protection of their train and observance of the rules. They must ensure that their subordinates are familiar with their duties, determine the extent of their experience and knowledge of the rules. They must instruct them, when necessary, how to perform their work properly and safely. If any conditions are not covered by the rules, they must take precautions to provide protection. Duties of Crew Members Rule 1.47A A. Conductor Responsibilities 1. The conductor supervises the operation and administration of the train (if trains are combined with more than one conductor on board, the conductor with the most seniority takes charge). All persons employed on the train must obey the conductor's instructions, unless the instructions endanger the train's safety or violate the rules. If any doubts arise concerning the authority for proceeding or safety, the conductor must consult with the engineer who will be equally responsible for the safety and proper handling of the train. 2. The conductor must advise the engineer and train dispatcher of any restriction placed on equipment being handled. 3. The conductor must remind the engineer that the train is approaching an area restricted by: • Limits of authority. • Track warrant. • Track bulletin. or • Radio speed restriction. The conductor must inform the engineer after the train passes the last station, but at least 2 miles from the restriction. 4. When the conductor is not present, other crew members must obey the instructions of the engineer concerning rules, safety, and protection of the train. 5. Freight conductors are responsible for the freight carried by their train. They are also responsible for ensuring that the freight is delivered with any accompanying documents to its destination or terminals. Freight conductors must maintain any required records. Duties of Crew Members Rule 1.47B B. Engineer Responsibilities 1. The engineer is responsible for safely and efficiently operating the engine. Crew members must obey the engineer's instructions that concern operating the engine. A student engineer or other qualified employee may operate the engine under close supervis ion of the engineer. Any employee that operates an engine must have a current certificate in their possession. 2. The engineer must check with the conductor to determine if any cars or units in the train require special handling. Duties of Crew Members Rule 1.47C C. All Crew Members' Responsibilities 1. To ensure the train is operated safely and rules are observed, all crew members must act responsibly to prevent accidents or rule violations. Crew members in the engine control compartment must communicate to each other any restrictions or other known conditions that affect the safe operation of their train sufficiently in advance of such condition to allow the engineer to take proper action. If proper action is not being taken, crew members must remind engineer of such condition and required action. 2. Crew members in the engine control compartment must be alert for signals. As soon as signals become visible or audible, crew members must communicate clearly to each other the name of signals affecting their train. They must continue to observe signals and announce any change of aspect until the train passes the signal. If the signal is not complied with promptly, crew members must remind the engineer and/or conductor of the rule requirement. If crew members do not agree on the signal indication, regard the signal as the most restrictive indication observed. BNSF Amendment —The following is added: Crew members must not use binoculars or similar devices to determine the position, aspect, or indication displayed by a fixed signal. 3. When the engineer and/or conductor fail to comply with a signal indication or take proper action to comply with a restriction or rule, crew members must immediately take action to ensure safety, using the emergency brake valve to stop the train, if necessary. Rule 2.14 Transmission of Mandatory Directives When transmitted by radio, mandatory directives must conform to applicable operating rules and the following: • The train dispatcher must state which mandatory directive will be transmitted. • The employee must inform the train dispatcher when ready to copy stating the employee's occupation (ex. conductor, engineer, foreman, maintainer), name and location on the main track or where the main track will be entered. An employee operating the cont rols of a moving engine may not copy mandatory directives. In addition, mandatory directives must not be transmitted to the crew of a moving train if the conductor, engineer or train dispatcher feels that the transmission could adversely affect the safe operation of the train. • The employee receiving a mandatory directive must copy it in writing using the format outlined in the operating rules. • Before a mandatory directive is acted upon, the conductor and engineer must each have a written copy and each crew member must read and understand it. Rule 6.11 Mandatory Directive Mandatory directives are written, printed, or displayed authorities or speed restrictions issued by the train dispatcher or control operator. Mandatory directives are: • Track warrants. • Track bulletins. • DTC authority. • Track and time. • Track permits. • Radio speed restrictions. A mandatory directive restricting a train's movement will not be issued near a point where the restriction applies until the engineer or conductor confirms that the train can comply with the restriction. Indicate "VOID" on mandatory directive form when: • Employee reports clear of authority limits, or • Mandatory directive is made void Crew must retain mandatory directives for continuous tour of duty. 5.4.2A Display of Yellow Flag A. Restriction Specified in Writing Two Miles Ahead of Restricted Area. Yellow flags warn trains to restrict movement
