BNSF CONDUCTOR COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 2025/2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔9.17.1 Signal Protection in ABS by Lining Switch 1 - ✔✔When a train or engine is
within ABS limits and requires action as necessary to stop other trains, this may be
provided by lining and locking a main track switch against movement at or beyond the
point where the train or engine will stop movement or clear the main track.
If the switch is located within a block other than the one occupied, do not make
movements until 5 minutes after the switch has been lined. Also, make sure no train or
engine is between the switch and the train or engine being protected or is within or
closely approaching the block where the switch is located.
✔✔9.17.1 Signal Protection in ABS by Lining Switch 2 - ✔✔Except where Rule 6.13
(Yard Limits) or Rule 6.14 (Restricted Limits) is in effect, a train must receive permission
from the train dispatcher before crossing over to or obstructing another main
track signaled for movement in one or both directions.
Train dispatcher must ensure that no other movements against the current of traffic
have been or will be authorized. Crew members must notify the train dispatcher when
their movement is
clear of the other main track.
✔✔9.17.1 Signal Protection in ABS by Lining Switch 3 - ✔✔In addition, before crossing
over or fouling a main track, trains must comply with the following:
a. Do not move until 5 minutes after lining the switch.
b. Locate the block signal that protects the switch against trains moving with the current
of traffic. To move against the current of traffic past that signal, pull the leading engine
or car 100 feet beyond the signal. Wait 10 minutes before moving any further against
the current of traffic. Then proceed at restricted speed.
c. To move against the current of traffic beyond any further signals, obtain authority as
outlined in Rule 14.6 (Movement Against the Current of Traffic) or Rule 15.3
(Authorizing
Movement Against the Current of Traffic).
✔✔9.18 Electrically Locked Switches and Derails - ✔✔Special instructions or
instructions posted near the switch will govern the operation of switches and derails
equipped with electric locks.
To enter a track within manual interlocking or CTC limits, employees must not open the
case door or unlock an electrically locked switch or derail without track and time or
authority from the control operator.
✔✔9.18 Electrically Locked Switches and Derails (Emergency Release) -
✔✔Emergency Release
If the electric lock includes an emergency release, do not break the seal on the release
or operate the release without permission from the control operator or train dispatcher.
, However, when communication has failed, the seal may be broken and/or the release
operated:
• To permit a train to leave the main track.
or
• To permit a train that has authority to enter the main track. Train must not enter the
main track until 5 minutes after the seal is broken and/or the release operated.
Notify the control operator or train dispatcher when the seal has been broken and/or the
emergency
release operated.
✔✔10.1 Authority to Enter CTC Limits 1 - ✔✔CTC limits are designated in the timetable.
Sidings within CTC limits are controlled sidings and are governed by CTC rules. A train
must not enter or occupy any track where CTC is in effect unless a controlled signal
displays a proceed indication or the control operator authorizes:
• Movement past a Stop indication under Rule 9.12.1 (CTC Territory).
• A train to enter track between block signals as follows: "(Train) at (location) has
authority to enter (track) and proceed (direction)." After entering the track, the train is
authorized to move only in the direction specified.
or
• Track and Time under Rule 10.3 (Track and Time).
✔✔10.1 Authority to Enter CTC Limits (Signal Governing Movement Over a Hand-
Operated Switch) - ✔✔If a signal governs movement over a hand-operated switch that
is not electrically locked, the control operator must authorize the train to enter or occupy
any track where CTC is in effect before the switch is opened. After the switch is opened,
if the signal does not display a proceed indication, a crew member must wait 5 minutes
10 minutes at the switch. After the 5 minute 10 minute wait if the signal does not display
a proceed indication, move the train at restricted speed and notify the control operator.
However, if the block to be entered is occupied by its own standing train or when the
hand-operated switch remains open, the movement may, after stopping, pass an
absolute signal displaying a Stop indication without waiting 10 minutes and without
contacting the control operator.
✔✔10.3 Track and Time - ✔✔The control operator may authorize a train to occupy a
track or tracks within specified limits for a certain time period. Authority must include
track designation, track limits, and either a time limit or the words "until released". The
train may use the track in either direction within the specified limits according to signal
indication until the limits are verbally released.
Limits designated by a switch extend only to the signal governing movement over the
switch unless otherwise designated.
Track and time does not authorize trains to occupy the main track within automatic
interlocking limits.
✔✔10.3 Track and Time A - ✔✔A. Passing Signal Displaying Stop or Stop and Proceed
Indication
Except at interlockings, trains granted track and time:
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔9.17.1 Signal Protection in ABS by Lining Switch 1 - ✔✔When a train or engine is
within ABS limits and requires action as necessary to stop other trains, this may be
provided by lining and locking a main track switch against movement at or beyond the
point where the train or engine will stop movement or clear the main track.
If the switch is located within a block other than the one occupied, do not make
movements until 5 minutes after the switch has been lined. Also, make sure no train or
engine is between the switch and the train or engine being protected or is within or
closely approaching the block where the switch is located.
✔✔9.17.1 Signal Protection in ABS by Lining Switch 2 - ✔✔Except where Rule 6.13
(Yard Limits) or Rule 6.14 (Restricted Limits) is in effect, a train must receive permission
from the train dispatcher before crossing over to or obstructing another main
track signaled for movement in one or both directions.
Train dispatcher must ensure that no other movements against the current of traffic
have been or will be authorized. Crew members must notify the train dispatcher when
their movement is
clear of the other main track.
✔✔9.17.1 Signal Protection in ABS by Lining Switch 3 - ✔✔In addition, before crossing
over or fouling a main track, trains must comply with the following:
a. Do not move until 5 minutes after lining the switch.
b. Locate the block signal that protects the switch against trains moving with the current
of traffic. To move against the current of traffic past that signal, pull the leading engine
or car 100 feet beyond the signal. Wait 10 minutes before moving any further against
the current of traffic. Then proceed at restricted speed.
c. To move against the current of traffic beyond any further signals, obtain authority as
outlined in Rule 14.6 (Movement Against the Current of Traffic) or Rule 15.3
(Authorizing
Movement Against the Current of Traffic).
✔✔9.18 Electrically Locked Switches and Derails - ✔✔Special instructions or
instructions posted near the switch will govern the operation of switches and derails
equipped with electric locks.
To enter a track within manual interlocking or CTC limits, employees must not open the
case door or unlock an electrically locked switch or derail without track and time or
authority from the control operator.
✔✔9.18 Electrically Locked Switches and Derails (Emergency Release) -
✔✔Emergency Release
If the electric lock includes an emergency release, do not break the seal on the release
or operate the release without permission from the control operator or train dispatcher.
, However, when communication has failed, the seal may be broken and/or the release
operated:
• To permit a train to leave the main track.
or
• To permit a train that has authority to enter the main track. Train must not enter the
main track until 5 minutes after the seal is broken and/or the release operated.
Notify the control operator or train dispatcher when the seal has been broken and/or the
emergency
release operated.
✔✔10.1 Authority to Enter CTC Limits 1 - ✔✔CTC limits are designated in the timetable.
Sidings within CTC limits are controlled sidings and are governed by CTC rules. A train
must not enter or occupy any track where CTC is in effect unless a controlled signal
displays a proceed indication or the control operator authorizes:
• Movement past a Stop indication under Rule 9.12.1 (CTC Territory).
• A train to enter track between block signals as follows: "(Train) at (location) has
authority to enter (track) and proceed (direction)." After entering the track, the train is
authorized to move only in the direction specified.
or
• Track and Time under Rule 10.3 (Track and Time).
✔✔10.1 Authority to Enter CTC Limits (Signal Governing Movement Over a Hand-
Operated Switch) - ✔✔If a signal governs movement over a hand-operated switch that
is not electrically locked, the control operator must authorize the train to enter or occupy
any track where CTC is in effect before the switch is opened. After the switch is opened,
if the signal does not display a proceed indication, a crew member must wait 5 minutes
10 minutes at the switch. After the 5 minute 10 minute wait if the signal does not display
a proceed indication, move the train at restricted speed and notify the control operator.
However, if the block to be entered is occupied by its own standing train or when the
hand-operated switch remains open, the movement may, after stopping, pass an
absolute signal displaying a Stop indication without waiting 10 minutes and without
contacting the control operator.
✔✔10.3 Track and Time - ✔✔The control operator may authorize a train to occupy a
track or tracks within specified limits for a certain time period. Authority must include
track designation, track limits, and either a time limit or the words "until released". The
train may use the track in either direction within the specified limits according to signal
indication until the limits are verbally released.
Limits designated by a switch extend only to the signal governing movement over the
switch unless otherwise designated.
Track and time does not authorize trains to occupy the main track within automatic
interlocking limits.
✔✔10.3 Track and Time A - ✔✔A. Passing Signal Displaying Stop or Stop and Proceed
Indication
Except at interlockings, trains granted track and time:
