GCOR - General Code of Operating Rules Securing Unattended Equipment Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A crew must leave a cut of 20 cars unattended on a track with a slight grade. According to GCOR 7.6, which of the following is the most critical and required action?
- Apply the hand brake on the first and last car only.
- Leave the automatic air brakes fully applied and depart.
- Apply a sufficient number of hand brakes and then release the air brakes to verify the equipment is secure. (Correct answer)
- Chock the wheels of the lead car and notify the dispatcher.
Correct answer: Apply a sufficient number of hand brakes and then release the air brakes to verify the equipment is secure.
GCOR 7.6 explicitly prohibits depending on air brakes alone to secure unattended equipment, as they can leak off over time. The rule requires applying a "sufficient number" of hand brakes to prevent movement and then verifying they are holding by releasing the air brakes.
Question 2: When determining a 'sufficient' number of hand brakes to apply on unattended equipment, which of the following set of factors must be considered?
- The time of day and the number of crew members present.
- The track grade, weather conditions, and tonnage of the cars. (Correct answer)
- The proximity to the nearest yard and the type of locomotive used.
- The schedule of the next train to use the track.
Correct answer: The track grade, weather conditions, and tonnage of the cars.
GCOR requires a performance-based approach to securing equipment. Employees must evaluate conditions that could cause movement, such as the steepness of the track (grade), wind (weather), and the weight of the cars (tonnage), to determine how many hand brakes are sufficient to hold the equipment safely.
Question 3: A train crew is leaving their entire train, with locomotives attached, on a main track siding. In this specific situation, which method of securement is permitted that is normally prohibited for unattended cars?
- Depending on the automatic air brake system without applying hand brakes. (Correct answer)
- Using only wheel chocks on the lead locomotive.
- Relying on the dynamic brakes of the locomotive.
- Applying hand brakes on the locomotives only.
Correct answer: Depending on the automatic air brake system without applying hand brakes.
While GCOR 7.6 generally prohibits relying on air brakes, an exception exists when the engine(s) remain attached to the equipment. In this case, the locomotive's air compressors keep the brake system charged, preventing the pressure from bleeding off and making the air brake system a reliable means of securement.
Question 4: After a crew member applies hand brakes on a cut of cars and releases the air, they observe the cars begin to roll slightly. What is the immediate and correct action required by GCOR?
- Notify the dispatcher that the hand brakes are defective.
- Re-apply the air brakes and leave them applied.
- Place a single wheel chock under the nearest wheel.
- Apply additional hand brakes until the equipment is fully secured against movement. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Apply additional hand brakes until the equipment is fully secured against movement.
The observation of movement after releasing the air brakes is a failed test, indicating that an insufficient number of hand brakes have been applied. The correct procedure is to continue applying hand brakes and re-testing until it is proven that the hand brakes alone are sufficient to hold the equipment.
Question 5: Which of the following statements is the most accurate summary of the GCOR rule regarding the minimum number of hand brakes to be applied to unattended equipment?
- At least two hand brakes must always be applied.
- A sufficient number must be applied to prevent movement, based on prevailing conditions. (Correct answer)
- A minimum of 10 percent of the total cars require a hand brake.
- One hand brake is required for every 50 tons of train weight.
Correct answer: A sufficient number must be applied to prevent movement, based on prevailing conditions.
GCOR 7.6 uses performance-based language, requiring an employee to apply a "sufficient number of hand brakes to prevent movement." It does not specify a universal minimum number or percentage, as the requirements change drastically based on factors like grade and weather.
Question 6: A single locomotive is being left unattended on a main track. What is the minimum hand brake requirement according to GCOR?
- The automatic air brake is sufficient if the compressor is running.
- One wheel must be chocked.
- The hand brake on the locomotive must be fully applied. (Correct answer)
- Permission must be received from the dispatcher to leave it without a hand brake.
Correct answer: The hand brake on the locomotive must be fully applied.
When leaving locomotives unattended, all locomotives in the consist must be secured with a handbrake. This is a specific requirement to ensure the power units themselves are secured against unintended movement.
GCOR - General Code of Operating Rules Securing Unattended Equipment Questions and Answers
A crew must leave a cut of 20 cars unattended on a track with a slight grade.
According to GCOR 7.6, which of the following is the most critical and required action?