Train Driver Emergency Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does a train driver do when they receive a 'washout signal' from a crew member?
- Apply emergency brakes immediately — the signal means stop at once (Correct answer)
- Reduce speed to restricted and acknowledge with the horn
- Contact the dispatcher to verify the signal
- Prepare to reduce speed at the next grade crossing
Correct answer: Apply emergency brakes immediately — the signal means stop at once
A washout signal (waving arms horizontally) is an emergency stop signal requiring an immediate emergency brake application.
Question 2: When a hazardous materials car is found to be leaking, what is the train driver's immediate responsibility?
- Stop the train, identify the car and commodity, keep people away, and notify dispatch and emergency services (Correct answer)
- Continue moving to the nearest siding to isolate the car
- Ventilate the affected area by moving the train to an open location
- Allow the conductor to handle the hazmat response while continuing
Correct answer: Stop the train, identify the car and commodity, keep people away, and notify dispatch and emergency services
A hazmat leak requires an immediate stop, identification of the material using placards and shipping papers, isolation of the area, and notification of authorities.
Question 3: What is the proper response when a train approaches a broken rail detected by track geometry equipment?
- Stop the train before reaching the reported location and notify the dispatcher (Correct answer)
- Reduce speed to 10 mph and proceed with caution
- Continue at normal speed since the geometry system may be faulty
- Apply light braking and sound the horn as the train passes over the area
Correct answer: Stop the train before reaching the reported location and notify the dispatcher
A broken rail report requires stopping before the location and getting dispatcher authorization to proceed after track inspection.
Question 4: What should a train driver do if the locomotive's event recorder malfunctions?
- Report the defect and comply with any operational restrictions required by company rules (Correct answer)
- Continue normal operations until the next scheduled maintenance
- Shut down the locomotive and wait for a replacement
- Reset the recorder and continue if it restores normal function
Correct answer: Report the defect and comply with any operational restrictions required by company rules
A malfunctioning event recorder must be reported, and the engineer must follow any operational restrictions the railroad's rules impose for this defect.
Question 5: In the event of a derailment, what is the train driver's first priority after stopping?
- Protect the train from other movements by securing the scene and notifying dispatch (Correct answer)
- Inspect the derailed cars to assess damage before calling for help
- Attempt to re-rail the cars using available equipment
- Continue to the next siding so emergency crews can access the scene
Correct answer: Protect the train from other movements by securing the scene and notifying dispatch
After a derailment, the immediate priority is protecting the scene from additional train movements and alerting the dispatcher and emergency services.
Question 6: What does a train driver do when the cab signal shows a more restrictive indication than expected?
- Immediately reduce speed to comply with the more restrictive indication (Correct answer)
- Maintain speed and report the discrepancy at the next terminal
- Override the cab signal and rely on wayside signals only
- Stop the train and contact the signal department
Correct answer: Immediately reduce speed to comply with the more restrictive indication
The engineer must always comply with the most restrictive signal indication, reducing speed immediately when a more restrictive cab signal appears.
Train Driver Emergency Procedures 2
What does a train driver do when they receive a 'washout signal' from a crew member?