Train Driver Situational Train Driver Safety 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You approach a signal showing a single yellow aspect. What action should you take?
- Be prepared to stop at the next signal (Correct answer)
- Continue at maximum line speed
- Stop immediately at the yellow signal
- Sound the horn and accelerate
Correct answer: Be prepared to stop at the next signal
A single yellow is a caution aspect meaning the next signal may be at danger, so you must be prepared to stop there.
Question 2: While driving, you notice a person walking on the tracks ahead. What is your first response?
- Sound the horn and make a full service or emergency brake application (Correct answer)
- Maintain speed and assume they will move
- Switch off the headlights to avoid blinding them
- Accelerate to pass before they reach the train
Correct answer: Sound the horn and make a full service or emergency brake application
Warning the trespasser with the horn and braking gives the best chance of avoiding a collision.
Question 3: A passenger pulls the emergency brake handle while the train is on a high bridge. The best practice is to:
- Where possible, bring the train to a stop in a safer location before investigating (Correct answer)
- Stop instantly regardless of location
- Ignore the alarm until the next station
- Reverse the train back off the bridge
Correct answer: Where possible, bring the train to a stop in a safer location before investigating
Many systems allow the driver to control the stop so the train halts where evacuation and access are safer rather than on a bridge.
Question 4: You receive an emergency radio call to stop all trains in the area. You should:
- Make an emergency brake application and stop as quickly as safely possible (Correct answer)
- Continue to the next station first
- Acknowledge but maintain speed
- Wait for written confirmation before stopping
Correct answer: Make an emergency brake application and stop as quickly as safely possible
An emergency stop instruction requires immediate braking to protect against a hazard such as a derailment or obstruction.
Question 5: During heavy fog, signal sighting is greatly reduced. The safest adjustment is to:
- Reduce speed so you can stop within the distance you can see signals (Correct answer)
- Maintain timetable speed to avoid delays
- Rely solely on memory of signal positions
- Turn off cab lights to see better outside
Correct answer: Reduce speed so you can stop within the distance you can see signals
Driving to the limit of visibility ensures you can react to signals and obstructions you cannot see far ahead.
Question 6: You feel an unusual lateral lurch and hear grinding from beneath the train. What is the priority concern?
- A possible derailment, so stop and investigate before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Normal track noise that can be ignored
- A scheduling delay only
- A passenger door fault
Correct answer: A possible derailment, so stop and investigate before proceeding
Unusual movement and grinding can indicate a derailed wheelset, which requires an immediate controlled stop.
Question 7: Approaching a level crossing where the barriers appear to be raised unexpectedly, you should:
- Reduce speed, sound the horn, and be prepared to stop (Correct answer)
- Maintain speed since you have right of way
- Stop and reverse to the previous signal
- Speed up to clear the crossing faster
Correct answer: Reduce speed, sound the horn, and be prepared to stop
Raised barriers may mean a crossing failure and road traffic could be on the line, so caution and readiness to stop are essential.
Train Driver Situational Train Driver Safety 2
You approach a signal showing a single yellow aspect.
What action should you take?