PTS PTS - Personal Track Safety Railway Hazards and Terminology 3

Question 1

What does the term 'cess' refer to in railway track terminology?

Accepted Answer

The land alongside the track between the rails and the boundary fence

Answer

The cess is the area of ground alongside the track, typically between the running rails and the boundary fence or wall.

Question 2

A 'trap point' on a railway is designed primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Derail runaway vehicles to prevent them entering a main line

Answer

Trap points (also called catch points) are intentionally set to derail runaway or unauthorized vehicles before they can enter a main running line.

Question 3

What hazard does 'formation failure' present to track workers?

Accepted Answer

Sudden collapse or subsidence of the ground supporting the track

Answer

Formation failure is the collapse of the sub-grade or ground beneath the track, which can cause sudden, unexpected ground subsidence hazardous to workers.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes a 'low rail' hazard in curved track sections?

Accepted Answer

The rail on the inside of a curve that sits lower due to cant

Answer

On curved track, cant (superelevation) means the inner (low) rail sits lower than the outer rail, creating a trip and footing hazard for workers.

Question 5

What is the primary danger of working near a 'toe' of a switch rail?

Accepted Answer

Risk of entrapment of feet or tools between the switch rail and stock rail

Answer

The toe of a switch rail is the thin, movable end that can trap feet or tools in the gap between it and the stock rail.

PTS - Personal Track Safety Practice Test

PTS - Personal Track Safety Practice Test

PTS PTS - Personal Track Safety Railway Hazards and Terminology 3