CSX Conductor Training Part 3 Air Brake & Train Handling Rules

CSX Conductor Training Part 3 Air Brake & Train Handling Rules Angle cock ️️A valve located at each end of a locomotive or car used to open or close the brake pipe. Handle in line means it's open. Handle crosswise means it's closed. What should a Conductor do if a train’s air compressor is malfunctioning? ️️The Conductor must immediately notify the engineer, assess the situation, and coordinate with dispatch or maintenance crews to either repair the issue or adjust the train’s operation to ensure safe operation until repairs can be made. How does a Conductor ensure the train is operating on the correct route? ️️The Conductor verifies the train’s route using the train orders, GPS tracking, and communication with dispatch, ensuring the train stays on track and follows the correct path to its destination. What is the Conductor’s responsibility when encountering a stop signal at a crossing? The Conductor must ensure the train is stopped safely before the crossing, communicate with the engineer, and assess the crossing area for any obstacles or hazards before proceeding. How does a Conductor manage the safety of the train during a mechanical failure? The Conductor ensures that the train is stopped safely, investigates the problem, communicates with the engineer and dispatch, and ensures the crew follows safety protocols for dealing with the mechanical issue. What should a Conductor do if there is a malfunction with the train’s emergency brake system? The Conductor must immediately notify the engineer, assess the situation, and follow the necessary steps to secure the train, either by using manual brakes or stopping the train safely while awaiting repairs. What is the Conductor’s role when a train must perform a reverse movement? ️️The Conductor ensures that proper signaling and communication are in place, checks the track ahead for safety, and coordinates with the engineer to ensure the reverse movement is performed safely. What should a Conductor do if there’s a discrepancy in the train manifest? The Conductor must immediately report the discrepancy to dispatch and management, take necessary steps to verify the cargo, and make corrections before continuing the journey to ensure compliance with regulations. What actions should a Conductor take if the train is delayed at a station due to boarding passengers? The Conductor must ensure that all passengers are safely on board, verify that all doors are securely closed, and coordinate with the engineer and dispatch to manage the delay and ensure a smooth departure. What is the Conductor’s responsibility when operating a train with hazardous materials on board? ️️The Conductor ensures that all hazardous materials are securely loaded, properly documented, and handled in compliance with safety regulations. The Conductor must also be prepared to handle emergencies involving these materials. How does a Conductor assist in the event of a medical emergency on the train? The Conductor assesses the situation, provides first aid if necessary, alerts medical personnel, and ensures that the injured or ill person receives proper care while maintaining the safety of the other passengers. What is the Conductor’s role when a train enters a tunnel? The Conductor ensures that the train maintains the correct speed, communicates with the engineer about the tunnel’s length or any potential hazards, and follows safety protocols for operating in confined spaces. How should a Conductor handle a situation where a crew member is not following safety protocols? ️️The Conductor must address the issue directly with the crew member, ensure that safety protocols are immediately followed, and report any ongoing violations to management for further action. What should a Conductor do if they notice a suspicious package or item on board? The Conductor must immediately notify the appropriate authorities, secure the area, and follow emergency procedures to ensure passenger safety and prevent any potential security threats. How does the Conductor ensure proper train signaling in a busy rail yard? The Conductor maintains constant communication with the yard crew and dispatch, ensures that signals are properly observed, and coordinates safe movements through the yard to avoid accidents and delays. What is the Conductor’s responsibility in managing passenger communication during delays? ️️The Conductor ensures that passengers are regularly informed about the delay, the reason for it, and the expected time of arrival, while maintaining transparency and calmness during the situation. How does the Conductor ensure the train is secure when parked at a station? The Conductor verifies that the train is securely braked, checks that the doors are closed and locked, and ensures that no unauthorized individuals are near the train before allowing the crew to disembark. What should a Conductor do if the train must pass through an area with poor visibility? The Conductor must ensure the train slows down, check that all crew members are alert, and maintain a heightened state of awareness for any potential obstacles, using additional signals if necessary. What is the Conductor’s role in ensuring the proper handling of perishable goods? ️️The Conductor ensures that the temperature and handling instructions for perishable goods are followed, monitors the conditions during transport, and ensures that any issues are reported promptly to avoid spoilage. How does a Conductor handle a situation where the train needs to stop for an extended period due to an emergency? The Conductor communicates with dispatch, checks on the well-being of passengers, keeps them informed of the situation, and ensures that all safety procedures are followed while the train remains stationary. What is the Conductor’s responsibility when performing a station departure? The Conductor ensures that all passengers are on board, verifies that all doors are closed securely, confirms the train’s departure signal, and ensures the train is ready to move safely. What should a Conductor do if a crew member is unable to complete their duties due to fatigue? The Conductor must ensure the safety of the train and crew, communicate with dispatch, and follow company protocols to ensure the fatigued crew member is replaced and the shift continues safely. What actions should the Conductor take when a train is running behind schedule due to an unscheduled stop? The Conductor should notify dispatch, inform passengers of the situation, assess the reason for the delay, and coordinate with the engineer to get the train back on schedule safely. What is the Conductor’s responsibility when approaching a signal indicating "slow" speed? ️️The Conductor ensures that the train reduces speed to the specified limit, remains alert for any track conditions, and communicates with the engineer to ensure the train passes through safely. Brake cylinder ️️A device on cars and locomotives, which converts the force of compressed air into a mechanical force to move brake shoes against the wheels. Contains a piston and piston rod. Piston out mean brakes are applied. Piston released inside means they are released Brake pipe ️️The pipe extending the length of the car, locomotive or train through which air brakes are charged, applied and released. Branch pipe cut out cock ️️Device used for cutting in and cutting out the control valve on a locomotive or car. Handle crosswise with pipe, the cut out cock is open. Handle in line with pipe, the cut out cock is closed. Brake cylinder release valve ️️Valve designed to provide a means for releasing brake cylinder pressure on a freight car by actuating a bleed rod near the control valve that is to be identified by a small loop or handle on the bleed rod. Control valve ️️Device on locomotives in cars that charges, applies and releases breaks in response to changes in brake pipe pressure. Auxiliary reservoir ️️A storage volume for compressed air, charged from the brake pipe, which provides air pressure for use in service and emergency brake applications. Emergency reservoir ️️A storage volume for compressed air, charged from the brake pipe, which provides air pressure for use in emergency brake application and certain recharge features. Reduction relay valve ️️A device found on freight cars when the length of the brake pipe is 75 feet or longer. Primary function of the A-1 reduction relay valve is to assist the control valve with the venting of brake pipe air during train air brake application. No. 8 Vent Valve ️️Will malfunction and cause a continuous exhaust of brake pipe air that prevents the brakes from releasing. Safety appliance ️️Stationary hand holds, ladder rungs, cross over platforms and stirrups designed for climbing, riding or getting on or off equipment. The air brake on a car must be considered inoperative when it has a brake cylinder piston travel in excess of: ️️10.5 inches What percentage of operative air brakes must each train at least have when in route? ️️85% While enroute each train must have an operative air brake on the: ️️Rear car When calculating the number of operative air brakes count: ️️Locomotives as a car Control valve on articulated equipment as a car