MTA TOWER OPERATOR STUDY GUIDE
REVENUE TRAIN - CORRECT ANSWER-A train that carries passengers
TIMETABLE - CORRECT ANSWER-Shows the time the train is due to arrive and leave
from each listed terminal, arriving and/or departing times at intermediate stations ,
running times, headways, and train routes
GAP STATIONS - CORRECT ANSWER-Key locations between the terminals of a line
where trains are recorded as they pas by, can be properly spaced and can be held for
connections
RELAY TRACK - CORRECT ANSWER-A track outside the station limits on which a
train is placed when being relayed or "swung" from one station to another station
SIGNAL YELLOW OVER GREEN - CORRECT ANSWER-Proceed on the main route,
be prepared to stop at the next signal
SUBDIVISION "A" SIGNAL DISPLAYING YELLOW OVER RED WITH AN
ILLUMINATED "S" - CORRECT ANSWER-Approach at allowable speed, then continue
on the main route
ABSOLUTE BLOCK - CORRECT ANSWER-A block that may be occupied by only one
train at a time.
REROUTING - CORRECT ANSWER-Diverting a train from its normal route because of
blockage or unusual occurrence
DWARF SIGNAL - CORRECT ANSWER-A signal with a fixed STOP indication
displaying red over red
AUTOMATIC SIGNAL - CORRECT ANSWER-A signal that is controlled by the
movement of trains
INTERLOCKING SIGNAL - CORRECT ANSWER-A signal at a fixed location indicating
a condition controlling the movement of trains
TOWER OPERATORS - CORRECT ANSWER-(a) Required to familiarize themselves
with the rules and regulations
(b) train schedules
(c) maintain records of all train movements
, OBSTRUCTION ON TRACK, A TOWER OPERATOR WILL - CORRECT ANSWER-
Notify RCC and display a red signal
WITHOUT PROPER AUTHORITY, A TOWER OPERATOR MUST NOT - CORRECT
ANSWER-Remove authorized appliances from machines
TOWER OPERATORS MUST NOTIFY RCC WHEN - CORRECT ANSWER-(a) unusual
conditions
(b) unusual intervals bet trains
(c) operating part time tower
EXPEDITING SERVICE, TOWER OPERATOR MUST - CORRECT ANSWER-Crank
switches, and flag trains
TOWER OPERATORS MUST OBSERVE - CORRECT ANSWER-station platforms and
model boards
RULE 9.05 (n) - CORRECT ANSWER-"When for any reason it is necessary to divert a
train from its regular route, the switch must not be set for the diverging move."
TOWER OPERATORS MAY TAKE INSTRUCTION FROM - CORRECT ANSWER-
Dispatchers and assistant dispatchers, superintendents RTO
WHEN OPERATING AN INTERLOCKING MACHINE, TOWER OPERATORS MUST -
CORRECT ANSWER-Cooperate with Maintainers
FROG - CORRECT ANSWER-Two running rails that intersect
TYPE VIII track - CORRECT ANSWER-Concrete and rubber padding
TYPE III track - CORRECT ANSWER-Used for elevated structures
RELAY - CORRECT ANSWER-to move one or more cars from a particular track onto a
relay or main line track and return the car(s) to an adjacent track
LIGHT TRAIN - CORRECT ANSWER-Train consisting of revenue cars operating on the
mainline track without any passengers
TRANSFERRING CONTROL FROM A LOCAL TOWER TO A MAIN TOWER -
CORRECT ANSWER-(a) must notify the main tower
(b) all signal and switch towers must correspond with main tower
(c) Tower Operator must turn transfer key from auxiliary panel
CROSSOVER - CORRECT ANSWER-An arrangement of tow switches used to move a
train from one track to another (lcl/exp) and (exp/lcl)
REVENUE TRAIN - CORRECT ANSWER-A train that carries passengers
TIMETABLE - CORRECT ANSWER-Shows the time the train is due to arrive and leave
from each listed terminal, arriving and/or departing times at intermediate stations ,
running times, headways, and train routes
GAP STATIONS - CORRECT ANSWER-Key locations between the terminals of a line
where trains are recorded as they pas by, can be properly spaced and can be held for
connections
RELAY TRACK - CORRECT ANSWER-A track outside the station limits on which a
train is placed when being relayed or "swung" from one station to another station
SIGNAL YELLOW OVER GREEN - CORRECT ANSWER-Proceed on the main route,
be prepared to stop at the next signal
SUBDIVISION "A" SIGNAL DISPLAYING YELLOW OVER RED WITH AN
ILLUMINATED "S" - CORRECT ANSWER-Approach at allowable speed, then continue
on the main route
ABSOLUTE BLOCK - CORRECT ANSWER-A block that may be occupied by only one
train at a time.
REROUTING - CORRECT ANSWER-Diverting a train from its normal route because of
blockage or unusual occurrence
DWARF SIGNAL - CORRECT ANSWER-A signal with a fixed STOP indication
displaying red over red
AUTOMATIC SIGNAL - CORRECT ANSWER-A signal that is controlled by the
movement of trains
INTERLOCKING SIGNAL - CORRECT ANSWER-A signal at a fixed location indicating
a condition controlling the movement of trains
TOWER OPERATORS - CORRECT ANSWER-(a) Required to familiarize themselves
with the rules and regulations
(b) train schedules
(c) maintain records of all train movements
, OBSTRUCTION ON TRACK, A TOWER OPERATOR WILL - CORRECT ANSWER-
Notify RCC and display a red signal
WITHOUT PROPER AUTHORITY, A TOWER OPERATOR MUST NOT - CORRECT
ANSWER-Remove authorized appliances from machines
TOWER OPERATORS MUST NOTIFY RCC WHEN - CORRECT ANSWER-(a) unusual
conditions
(b) unusual intervals bet trains
(c) operating part time tower
EXPEDITING SERVICE, TOWER OPERATOR MUST - CORRECT ANSWER-Crank
switches, and flag trains
TOWER OPERATORS MUST OBSERVE - CORRECT ANSWER-station platforms and
model boards
RULE 9.05 (n) - CORRECT ANSWER-"When for any reason it is necessary to divert a
train from its regular route, the switch must not be set for the diverging move."
TOWER OPERATORS MAY TAKE INSTRUCTION FROM - CORRECT ANSWER-
Dispatchers and assistant dispatchers, superintendents RTO
WHEN OPERATING AN INTERLOCKING MACHINE, TOWER OPERATORS MUST -
CORRECT ANSWER-Cooperate with Maintainers
FROG - CORRECT ANSWER-Two running rails that intersect
TYPE VIII track - CORRECT ANSWER-Concrete and rubber padding
TYPE III track - CORRECT ANSWER-Used for elevated structures
RELAY - CORRECT ANSWER-to move one or more cars from a particular track onto a
relay or main line track and return the car(s) to an adjacent track
LIGHT TRAIN - CORRECT ANSWER-Train consisting of revenue cars operating on the
mainline track without any passengers
TRANSFERRING CONTROL FROM A LOCAL TOWER TO A MAIN TOWER -
CORRECT ANSWER-(a) must notify the main tower
(b) all signal and switch towers must correspond with main tower
(c) Tower Operator must turn transfer key from auxiliary panel
CROSSOVER - CORRECT ANSWER-An arrangement of tow switches used to move a
train from one track to another (lcl/exp) and (exp/lcl)
