Air Brake and Train Handling

Question 1

Employees must inspect and test brake requirement on locomotives and cars according Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations contained within the BNSF ABTH rules. In addition:

Answer 1

All cars at the initial terminal of cars added enroute must be given a safety inspection, as per rule 1.33 in the GCOR Rules.

Question 2

A qualified employee or qualified machanical inspector must conduct an initial terminal air brake test to inspect air brake and safety applicances and to test brake pipe integrity. This test must be conducted:

Answer 2

• Where the train is assembled (initial terminal)
• Where the train consist is changed, other than by adding and/or removing a car or a solid block of cars, or by removing defective cars.
• Where an interchange train is received and its consist has changed, with the exception of any of the following:
  
  • Removing a solid block of cars from the train.
  • Changing motive power.
  • Removing or changing the caboose.

Question 3

Ensure that the air pressures are as follows:

Answer 3

Yard-90 PSI
Freight-90 PSI
Business/Passenger-105 PSI

Question 4

When using an ETD to conduct and air brake test, how can you determine if the brakes apply and release on the rear car?

Answer 4

Brake pipe pressure decreases at least 5 psi, the brakes are applied

Brake pipe pressure increases at least 5 psi, the brakes are released.