Part 2 — Answer key

Compare your answers after you have finished Part 1.

1. On a train, what specifically is the locomotive?
   The powered engine that pulls or pushes cars
2. In railroading, “gauge” means the distance between the two rails.
   True
3. Historically on many North American freight trains, what was a caboose used for?
   A crew workspace and lookout car at the rear
4. A railroad “grade crossing” is where a road and a rail line meet at the same level. Which term best describes that?
   An at-grade crossing
5. Most diesel-electric locomotives get their traction power from overhead wires.
   False
6. What is “ballast” on a typical railroad track?
   Crushed stone that supports and drains the track
7. A railroad “turnout” is another word for a switch.
   True
8. In many subway systems, what does a “third rail” mainly provide?
   Electric power to the train
9. On many passenger trains, “head-end power” (HEP) is the electricity used for what?
   Heating and air conditioning, lights, and outlets in the cars
10. If a railroad crossing only has crossbuck signs and no flashing lights or gates, drivers always have the right of way over a train.
    False
11. You see “BNSF” stenciled on the side of a freight car. What kind of marking is that?
    A reporting mark identifying the car’s owner or operator
12. On a mostly single-track railroad, what is a passing siding mainly used for?
    Letting trains meet or pass by pulling one train off the main
13. A railroad yard is a place where railcars are sorted, stored, and assembled into trains.
    True
14. Railroad historians talk about “dieselization.” What changed during dieselization?
    Steam locomotives were largely replaced by diesel locomotives
15. The “Golden Spike” ceremony is most closely tied to which U.S. railroad milestone?
    Completing the first transcontinental railroad
16. You are watching a train approach a signal showing a single yellow aspect (common in many systems). What is the safest interpretation?
    Proceed, be prepared to stop at the next signal
17. Automatic block signals absolutely guarantee that two trains can never occupy the same block at the same time.
    False
18. Railroad wheels are not perfectly cylindrical. Why are many train wheels slightly conical?
    To help the wheelset self-center and steer on straight track
19. Two freight trains are scheduled to meet on a single-track line with a passing siding. One is a high-priority intermodal train, the other is a lower-priority manifest. In a typical meet, what happens?
    The higher-priority train usually stays on the main, the lower-priority train takes the siding
20. In a turnout (switch), what is the “frog”?
    The crossing point where wheel flanges pass through a gap
21. A derail device on a siding is intended to intentionally derail an unauthorized or runaway car to protect a main line.
    True
22. “Railway Mania” refers to a famous speculative boom in railroad investing. Where did it primarily happen?
    Britain
23. The Golden Spike is often mixed up with other “firsts.” What did it actually celebrate?
    Joining the Central Pacific and Union Pacific to complete a transcontinental route
24. Standard gauge is a surprisingly specific measurement. Which is it?
    1,435 mm
25. All else equal, a train’s stopping distance can be longer on a downhill grade than on level track.
    True
26. You notice the platform gap feels wider on a curved station than on a straight one. Why does a curve make the gap larger?
    A straight platform edge cannot match the arc of the car body, leaving extra space
27. Why do many railroads prefer continuous welded rail (CWR) over jointed rail?
    It reduces the number of joints, making rides smoother and lowering maintenance
28. More axles on a locomotive always means it will have a higher top speed.
    False
29. A railfan video mentions a locomotive built for “Russian gauge.” Which gauge is that most commonly referring to?
    1,520 mm
30. High-speed rail requires electric traction, diesel trains cannot be high-speed.
    False
31. You are planning a trip on a mountain railway that advertises a “rack section.” What problem is a rack railway solving?
    Climbing grades too steep for normal wheel-rail adhesion
32. Which railway is often cited as the first public railway to use steam locomotives (helping kick off the modern railway era)?
    Stockton and Darlington Railway
33. A dispatcher says a line is under CTC, and you notice switches and signals can be controlled remotely. What does CTC stand for?
    Centralized Traffic Control
34. You feel a freight train slow on a long downgrade without heavy use of friction brakes. On many diesel-electrics, what is “dynamic braking” doing?
    Using the traction motors as generators to create resistance (often dumping energy as heat)
35. You are reading a UK track diagram that labels an “Up” line and a “Down” line. In many British contexts, “Up” usually means trains running:
    Toward London or the primary terminus
36. Overhead electrification often uses a messenger wire with droppers supporting a contact wire. Why not just string one thick wire and call it done?
    The messenger-and-dropper setup helps keep the contact wire at a consistent height and tension for smooth pantograph contact
37. A “restricting” signal indication generally allows movement at restricted speed, prepared to stop within half the range of vision.
    True
38. The original Orient Express was a named service closely associated with which company, famous for sleeping and dining cars across Europe?
    Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits