FRA Mechanical & Inspection Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under FRA regulations, what is the maximum allowable lateral flange wear for a wheel before it must be removed from service?
- 1 inch
- 1/2 inch (Correct answer)
- 3/4 inch
- 1/4 inch
Correct answer: 1/2 inch
FRA regulations specify that a wheel with a flange worn to 1/2 inch or less in thickness must be removed from service.
Question 2: Which FRA regulation part specifically governs the inspection and maintenance of freight car safety appliances?
- 49 CFR Part 215
- 49 CFR Part 231 (Correct answer)
- 49 CFR Part 229
- 49 CFR Part 238
Correct answer: 49 CFR Part 231
49 CFR Part 231 covers railroad safety appliances standards, including handholds, ladders, and grab irons on freight cars.
Question 3: What is the minimum height above the top of the rail that a knuckle coupler must be maintained for standard freight cars?
- 28 inches
- 30 inches
- 31.5 inches (Correct answer)
- 34 inches
Correct answer: 31.5 inches
FRA standards require that coupler height be maintained at a minimum of 31.5 inches above the top of the rail for standard freight cars.
Question 4: Under 49 CFR Part 215, a railroad must perform a pre-departure inspection of freight cars within how many hours of departure?
- 6 hours
- 12 hours
- 24 hours (Correct answer)
- 48 hours
Correct answer: 24 hours
49 CFR Part 215 requires that a freight car must receive a pre-departure inspection within 24 hours before departure.
Question 5: A defect card (bad order tag) on a freight car indicates that the car:
- Has passed inspection and is cleared for service
- Has been placed out of service pending repairs (Correct answer)
- Requires only routine scheduled maintenance
- Is approved for light-duty service only
Correct answer: Has been placed out of service pending repairs
A bad order tag (defect card) placed on a freight car means it has been removed from service and must be repaired before returning to operation.
Question 6: Which component of a freight car's braking system must be tested during a Class I brake test?
- Only the locomotive brake
- All brakes on the entire train (Correct answer)
- Only the rear car's brakes
- Only cars added at an en-route stop
Correct answer: All brakes on the entire train
A Class I brake test requires inspection and testing of all brakes on every car in the train to ensure proper function.
Question 7: Under FRA regulations, when must a locomotive engineer report a defect discovered during operation?
- At the end of the run
- At the next crew change
- As soon as safely practicable (Correct answer)
- Within 24 hours of discovery
Correct answer: As soon as safely practicable
FRA rules require locomotive defects discovered during operation to be reported as soon as safely practicable to allow prompt corrective action.
FRA Mechanical & Inspection Standards 2
Under FRA regulations, what is the maximum allowable lateral flange wear for a wheel before it must be removed from service?