BNSF Conductor Final Exam Questions
With Complete Solutions
A track extending through yards and between stations
that must not be occupied without authority or
protection. correct answer: Main Track
A fixed signal at the entrance of a block that governs
trains entering and using that block. correct answer: Block Signal
A notice containing track bulletin restrictions and other
conditions affecting train movement. correct answer: 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. correct answer: Automatic Block Signal System (ABS)
Two or more main tracks that are used according to the
timetable. correct answer: Multiple Main Tracks
Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1A correct answer: 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 correct answer: 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 correct answer: 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 opportunity to retain a copy of the protest.
Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1D correct answer: 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 correct answer: 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 correct answer: 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.
With Complete Solutions
A track extending through yards and between stations
that must not be occupied without authority or
protection. correct answer: Main Track
A fixed signal at the entrance of a block that governs
trains entering and using that block. correct answer: Block Signal
A notice containing track bulletin restrictions and other
conditions affecting train movement. correct answer: 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. correct answer: Automatic Block Signal System (ABS)
Two or more main tracks that are used according to the
timetable. correct answer: Multiple Main Tracks
Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1A correct answer: 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 correct answer: 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 correct answer: 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 opportunity to retain a copy of the protest.
Good Faith Challenge Rule 1.4.1D correct answer: 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 correct answer: 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 correct answer: 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.
