Free practice test

Railroad Switch Operator Practice Test

Check what you know about the railroad switch operator job with 15 free questions and instant explanations.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
About this practice test

15 multiple-choice questions on railroad switch operator knowledge, safety and vocabulary. Submit to see your score and explanations, or open any question’s answer as you go. Nothing is saved or shared.

Question 1 of 15Lining a switch:
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Answer: Sets it for a route. Operation.

Question 2 of 15A knuckle is:
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Answer: A coupler part. Part.

Question 3 of 15Never step:
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Answer: Between moving cars. Safety.

Question 4 of 15Look at:
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Answer: The points. Switching.

Question 5 of 15A derail:
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Answer: Stops runaway cars. Safety device.

Question 6 of 15Which term matches this definition: “Coupler part.”
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Answer: Knuckle. Knuckle: Coupler part.

Question 7 of 15What does “FRA” mean?
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Answer: Federal Railroad Administration.. FRA: Federal Railroad Administration.

Question 8 of 15Which term matches this definition: “Gravity yard.”
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Answer: Hump. Hump: Gravity yard.

Question 9 of 15What does “Switch” mean?
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Answer: Moves trains between tracks.. Switch: Moves trains between tracks.

Question 10 of 15Which term matches this definition: “Watching ahead of a move.”
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Answer: Point of protection. Point of protection: Watching ahead of a move.

Question 11 of 15What does “Car length” mean?
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Answer: Radio distance unit.. Car length: Radio distance unit.

Question 12 of 15Which term matches this definition: “Setting it for a route.”
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Answer: Lining a switch. Lining a switch: Setting it for a route.

Question 13 of 15What does “Coupling” mean?
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Answer: Joining cars.. Coupling: Joining cars.

Question 14 of 15Which term matches this definition: “Manual brake.”
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Answer: Hand brake. Hand brake: Manual brake.

Question 15 of 15What does “Blue flag” mean?
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Answer: Protects workers.. Blue flag: Protects workers.

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