NORAC OPERATING RULES & SIGNALS EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS - 100% VERIFIED - LATEST 2026/2027 -
GUARANTEED PASS
1. What does NORAC stand for? ANSWER Northeast Operating Rules
Advisory Committee.
2. What is the purpose of NORAC operating rules? ANSWER To
provide standardized operating rules for railroads in the Northeast
United States to ensure safe train operations.
3. What is a "Form D" in NORAC rules? ANSWER A written authority
issued by the Dispatcher for train movements in DCS (Dispatcher
Controlled Signals) territory.
4. What information is included on Form D line 2? ANSWER Authority
to operate in a specified direction between designated points.
5. When can a Dispatcher issue an additional line 2 authority to an
existing Form D? ANSWER When the original Form D is still in effect
and the Dispatcher has determined the track is clear.
6. What must the Dispatcher do before transmitting the "time" of an
additional line 2 authority? ANSWER Ensure the addressee has
correctly repeated the authority.
7. What is Rule 251 territory? ANSWER Territory where trains operate
with the current of traffic in a single specified direction.
8. What is Rule 261 territory? ANSWER Territory where trains may
operate in either direction on the same track.
9. What is the maximum speed for passenger trains in non-signaled
DCS territory? ANSWER 59 MPH unless otherwise restricted.
,10. What is the maximum speed for freight trains in non-signaled DCS
territory? ANSWER 49 MPH unless otherwise restricted.
11. What is Restricted Speed? ANSWER A speed that permits stopping
within one-half the range of vision short of any obstruction, train, or
switch improperly lined.
12. What is Medium Speed? ANSWER Not exceeding 30 MPH.
13. What is Limited Speed? ANSWER Not exceeding 45 MPH (or 40
MPH where designated).
14. What is Normal Speed? ANSWER The maximum authorized speed
for the track.
15. What must a train do when approaching a home signal or
controlled point signal? ANSWER Approach prepared to stop unless a
distant signal is in service.
16. What is the requirement if a train is delayed after passing a distant
signal? ANSWER It must approach the home signal or controlled point
signal prepared to stop.
17. What is the purpose of Rule 241? ANSWER Governs passing a Stop
Signal under specific conditions.
18. When can a train pass a Stop Signal? ANSWER Only when
authorized by the Dispatcher or by specific signal rules (Stop and
Proceed, Restricting).
19. What must a train do when making a reverse movement within the
same block? ANSWER Operate at Restricted Speed, preceded by a crew
member unless Dispatcher permission is obtained.
20. What is required for a reverse movement beyond the limits of the
block in Rule 251 territory? ANSWER Form D line 2 authority.
21. What is required for a reverse movement beyond the limits of the
block in Rule 261 territory? ANSWER Verbal permission from the
Dispatcher.
, 22. What must the Dispatcher determine before granting reverse
movement permission? ANSWER That the track is clear of opposing
movements and blocking devices are applied.
23. What is a hand-operated switch? ANSWER A switch that must be
operated manually rather than by remote control.
24. What color banner indicates normal position on a switch target?
ANSWER Green or white.
25. What color banner indicates reverse position on a switch target?
ANSWER Red or yellow.
26. What identifies a spring switch? ANSWER A white sign with black
letters "SS."
27. What does a spring switch target display in normal position?
ANSWER Green in both directions.
28. What does a spring switch target display in reverse position?
ANSWER Red in both directions.
29. What must crew members do before making a trailing movement
through spring switches? ANSWER Determine there are no conflicting
movements.
30. What must trains stopped while trailing through spring switches
NOT do? ANSWER Take slack or make a reverse movement unless the
switch is properly lined by hand.
31. What color are semi-automatic switch stands painted? ANSWER
Yellow or orange.
32. Can trailing movements be made through semi-automatic switches
without lining them? ANSWER Yes, if crew members determine there
are no conflicting movements.
33. What must be done to semi-automatic switches during snow or ice
accumulation? ANSWER They must be properly lined by hand before
being used in either direction.
AND ANSWERS - 100% VERIFIED - LATEST 2026/2027 -
GUARANTEED PASS
1. What does NORAC stand for? ANSWER Northeast Operating Rules
Advisory Committee.
2. What is the purpose of NORAC operating rules? ANSWER To
provide standardized operating rules for railroads in the Northeast
United States to ensure safe train operations.
3. What is a "Form D" in NORAC rules? ANSWER A written authority
issued by the Dispatcher for train movements in DCS (Dispatcher
Controlled Signals) territory.
4. What information is included on Form D line 2? ANSWER Authority
to operate in a specified direction between designated points.
5. When can a Dispatcher issue an additional line 2 authority to an
existing Form D? ANSWER When the original Form D is still in effect
and the Dispatcher has determined the track is clear.
6. What must the Dispatcher do before transmitting the "time" of an
additional line 2 authority? ANSWER Ensure the addressee has
correctly repeated the authority.
7. What is Rule 251 territory? ANSWER Territory where trains operate
with the current of traffic in a single specified direction.
8. What is Rule 261 territory? ANSWER Territory where trains may
operate in either direction on the same track.
9. What is the maximum speed for passenger trains in non-signaled
DCS territory? ANSWER 59 MPH unless otherwise restricted.
,10. What is the maximum speed for freight trains in non-signaled DCS
territory? ANSWER 49 MPH unless otherwise restricted.
11. What is Restricted Speed? ANSWER A speed that permits stopping
within one-half the range of vision short of any obstruction, train, or
switch improperly lined.
12. What is Medium Speed? ANSWER Not exceeding 30 MPH.
13. What is Limited Speed? ANSWER Not exceeding 45 MPH (or 40
MPH where designated).
14. What is Normal Speed? ANSWER The maximum authorized speed
for the track.
15. What must a train do when approaching a home signal or
controlled point signal? ANSWER Approach prepared to stop unless a
distant signal is in service.
16. What is the requirement if a train is delayed after passing a distant
signal? ANSWER It must approach the home signal or controlled point
signal prepared to stop.
17. What is the purpose of Rule 241? ANSWER Governs passing a Stop
Signal under specific conditions.
18. When can a train pass a Stop Signal? ANSWER Only when
authorized by the Dispatcher or by specific signal rules (Stop and
Proceed, Restricting).
19. What must a train do when making a reverse movement within the
same block? ANSWER Operate at Restricted Speed, preceded by a crew
member unless Dispatcher permission is obtained.
20. What is required for a reverse movement beyond the limits of the
block in Rule 251 territory? ANSWER Form D line 2 authority.
21. What is required for a reverse movement beyond the limits of the
block in Rule 261 territory? ANSWER Verbal permission from the
Dispatcher.
, 22. What must the Dispatcher determine before granting reverse
movement permission? ANSWER That the track is clear of opposing
movements and blocking devices are applied.
23. What is a hand-operated switch? ANSWER A switch that must be
operated manually rather than by remote control.
24. What color banner indicates normal position on a switch target?
ANSWER Green or white.
25. What color banner indicates reverse position on a switch target?
ANSWER Red or yellow.
26. What identifies a spring switch? ANSWER A white sign with black
letters "SS."
27. What does a spring switch target display in normal position?
ANSWER Green in both directions.
28. What does a spring switch target display in reverse position?
ANSWER Red in both directions.
29. What must crew members do before making a trailing movement
through spring switches? ANSWER Determine there are no conflicting
movements.
30. What must trains stopped while trailing through spring switches
NOT do? ANSWER Take slack or make a reverse movement unless the
switch is properly lined by hand.
31. What color are semi-automatic switch stands painted? ANSWER
Yellow or orange.
32. Can trailing movements be made through semi-automatic switches
without lining them? ANSWER Yes, if crew members determine there
are no conflicting movements.
33. What must be done to semi-automatic switches during snow or ice
accumulation? ANSWER They must be properly lined by hand before
being used in either direction.
