BNSF CONDUCTOR FINAL EXAM –
CERTIFICATION: Complete Assessment -
Railroad Safety & Operations Mastery with
Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: GCOR RULES & BNSF MODIFICATIONS
Questions 1–15 | 30% of Exam
Q1. You are the conductor on a westbound manifest train at MP 124.5 on the Needles
Subdivision. The dispatcher issues you Track Warrant Form BNSF 8200 #437 with the
authority to operate from MP 120.0 to MP 150.0. Before accepting the warrant, you
MUST verify which of the following per GCOR 6.13 and BNSF SI 6.1?
A. That your locomotive has sufficient fuel to reach MP 150.0
B. That no conflicting authorities exist between MP 120.0 and MP 150.0
C. That the previous crew copied the warrant correctly
D. That PTC is active and enforcing throughout the limits
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: GCOR 6.13 requires that before accepting any track warrant, the conductor
and engineer must verify that no conflicting authorities exist within the warrant limits.
This is the critical safety verification. While fuel planning (A) is good practice, it is not a
GCOR requirement for warrant acceptance. The previous crew's copy (C) is irrelevant to
,your acceptance. PTC status (D) affects operation but does not determine warrant
validity.
Q2. While switching at Pasco Yard, you observe the engineer exceed the restricted
speed limit of 10 mph by 4 mph, reaching 14 mph. According to GCOR 5.1 and BNSF
System Special Instruction 3.2, what is your responsibility as the conductor?
A. Verbally caution the engineer and document the event in the train journal
B. Immediately stop the movement and report the violation to the trainmaster
C. File a written statement within 24 hours if requested
D. Take no action; speedometers have a ±5 mph tolerance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: GCOR 5.1 states that any employee who knows of a violation of operating
rules must take action to have the violation corrected. BNSF SI 3.2 specifically
mandates immediate stopping of any movement exceeding restricted speed and
immediate reporting. Yard speed violations are treated with zero tolerance due to the
high risk of derailment and personnel strikes. The "verbal caution" option (A) is
insufficient for speed violations. There is no recognized speedometer tolerance (D) for
restricted speed compliance.
Q3. You are working as conductor on a southbound unit coal train departing Alliance,
Nebraska, destined for the Southern Transcon. A red signal aspect at Control Point 720
requires movement past a stop signal under GCOR 9.13.1. Which BNSF form MUST be
properly completed before proceeding?
A. BNSF Form 8100 (Mandatory Directive)
B. BNSF Form 8200 (Track Warrant)
C. BNSF Form 8300 (Bulletin Order)
D. BNSF Form 8400 (General Order)
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: BNSF System Special Instruction 9.6 specifically mandates that movement
past a stop signal (red aspect) requires completion of BNSF Form 8100, Mandatory
Directive. This form documents the dispatcher's authorization, the specific signal
involved, and the crew's acknowledgment. GCOR 9.13.1 provides the rule authority, but
BNSF's form requirement adds the documentation layer. Track warrants (B) are for track
occupancy authority, not signal violations. Bulletin Orders (C) convey temporary
restrictions, and General Orders (D) are system-wide rule modifications.
Q4. Your train is operating on the Northern Transcon when you encounter a flagman
protecting track work under GCOR 6.4. The flagman displays a yellow flag by day or a
yellow light by night. This indicates:
A. Stop before passing; track occupied ahead
B. Proceed prepared to stop within half the range of vision; men or equipment working
on or near the track
C. Reduce speed to 10 mph; track defective ahead
D. Proceed at normal speed; cautionary warning only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: GCOR 6.4.1 defines the yellow flag/light as requiring movement prepared to
stop within half the range of vision, not exceeding 10 mph, due to men or equipment on
or near the track. The "half the range of vision" requirement is critical—crews must be
able to stop short of any obstruction, which may be closer than the flagman. Option A
describes a red flag. Option C incorrectly states a fixed speed without the vision
requirement. Option D dangerously misinterprets the warning as non-mandatory.
CERTIFICATION: Complete Assessment -
Railroad Safety & Operations Mastery with
Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: GCOR RULES & BNSF MODIFICATIONS
Questions 1–15 | 30% of Exam
Q1. You are the conductor on a westbound manifest train at MP 124.5 on the Needles
Subdivision. The dispatcher issues you Track Warrant Form BNSF 8200 #437 with the
authority to operate from MP 120.0 to MP 150.0. Before accepting the warrant, you
MUST verify which of the following per GCOR 6.13 and BNSF SI 6.1?
A. That your locomotive has sufficient fuel to reach MP 150.0
B. That no conflicting authorities exist between MP 120.0 and MP 150.0
C. That the previous crew copied the warrant correctly
D. That PTC is active and enforcing throughout the limits
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: GCOR 6.13 requires that before accepting any track warrant, the conductor
and engineer must verify that no conflicting authorities exist within the warrant limits.
This is the critical safety verification. While fuel planning (A) is good practice, it is not a
GCOR requirement for warrant acceptance. The previous crew's copy (C) is irrelevant to
,your acceptance. PTC status (D) affects operation but does not determine warrant
validity.
Q2. While switching at Pasco Yard, you observe the engineer exceed the restricted
speed limit of 10 mph by 4 mph, reaching 14 mph. According to GCOR 5.1 and BNSF
System Special Instruction 3.2, what is your responsibility as the conductor?
A. Verbally caution the engineer and document the event in the train journal
B. Immediately stop the movement and report the violation to the trainmaster
C. File a written statement within 24 hours if requested
D. Take no action; speedometers have a ±5 mph tolerance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: GCOR 5.1 states that any employee who knows of a violation of operating
rules must take action to have the violation corrected. BNSF SI 3.2 specifically
mandates immediate stopping of any movement exceeding restricted speed and
immediate reporting. Yard speed violations are treated with zero tolerance due to the
high risk of derailment and personnel strikes. The "verbal caution" option (A) is
insufficient for speed violations. There is no recognized speedometer tolerance (D) for
restricted speed compliance.
Q3. You are working as conductor on a southbound unit coal train departing Alliance,
Nebraska, destined for the Southern Transcon. A red signal aspect at Control Point 720
requires movement past a stop signal under GCOR 9.13.1. Which BNSF form MUST be
properly completed before proceeding?
A. BNSF Form 8100 (Mandatory Directive)
B. BNSF Form 8200 (Track Warrant)
C. BNSF Form 8300 (Bulletin Order)
D. BNSF Form 8400 (General Order)
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: BNSF System Special Instruction 9.6 specifically mandates that movement
past a stop signal (red aspect) requires completion of BNSF Form 8100, Mandatory
Directive. This form documents the dispatcher's authorization, the specific signal
involved, and the crew's acknowledgment. GCOR 9.13.1 provides the rule authority, but
BNSF's form requirement adds the documentation layer. Track warrants (B) are for track
occupancy authority, not signal violations. Bulletin Orders (C) convey temporary
restrictions, and General Orders (D) are system-wide rule modifications.
Q4. Your train is operating on the Northern Transcon when you encounter a flagman
protecting track work under GCOR 6.4. The flagman displays a yellow flag by day or a
yellow light by night. This indicates:
A. Stop before passing; track occupied ahead
B. Proceed prepared to stop within half the range of vision; men or equipment working
on or near the track
C. Reduce speed to 10 mph; track defective ahead
D. Proceed at normal speed; cautionary warning only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: GCOR 6.4.1 defines the yellow flag/light as requiring movement prepared to
stop within half the range of vision, not exceeding 10 mph, due to men or equipment on
or near the track. The "half the range of vision" requirement is critical—crews must be
able to stop short of any obstruction, which may be closer than the flagman. Option A
describes a red flag. Option C incorrectly states a fixed speed without the vision
requirement. Option D dangerously misinterprets the warning as non-mandatory.
