Shunting

Question 1

What are the nine shunting commands?

Answer 1

Stop, Danger, Admit, Couple up (ease up) , All clear
Move away, move away slowly, move forward, move forward slowly

Question 2

What is the maximum height variance between couplers?

Answer 2

105mm

Question 3

What affects the number of handbrakes required to be applied?

Answer 3

Gradient of the track
Weight of the vehicles
Number of vehicles
Power stow test
Local operating procedures/ standards

Question 4

What are coupler dummies and what is their purpose?

Answer 4

Couplers attached to the end of a wagon to attach an air hose to when not in use to prevent damage to hose connections and entry of foreign objects into braking systems

Question 5

What are the basic components of a handbrake?

Answer 5

Handbrake wheel
Release lever
Ratchet cog
Chain
Housing

Question 6

Name airbrake components

Answer 6

Brake pipe
Triple valve
Brake block
Brake cylinder
Auxiliary reservoir
Main reservoir
Flexible hoses and air isolation cocks

Question 7

What should you do if a vehicle has an inoperative handbrake?

Answer 7

Couple to a vehicle with a working handbrake
Shunt and secure two vehicles together
If required to be left on its own, ensure the wheels are chocked

Question 8

What is train marshalling?

Answer 8

Attaching or detaching rollingstock to make up a consist as specified in a train list or train order

Question 9

What are the 3 main functions of the triple valve?

Answer 9

Charging the system
Applying the brakes
Releasing the brakes

Question 10

What is a SPAD?

Answer 10

Signal passed at danger

Question 11

What are the defined limits and what are they identified by?

Answer 11

Limits in which the shunt can occur.
Defined by limit of shunt boards, stop boards, coloured light signals, sets of points and protection devices and clearance points

Question 12

What are the three steps performed in order to apply 3 step protection?

Answer 12

Apply full service independent brake
Place the direction controller in neutral position
Open generator field switch

Question 13

List 5 hazards that could be encountered while shunting

Answer 13

Slippery footing and handgrips
Uneven walkways
Reduced radio performance
Debris washed into points switches
Reduced braking capability of rail vehicles

Question 14

What are some controls that can be used to minimize risks?

Answer 14

Personal vigilance
Correct PPE
3 step protection
Stay out of red zone where possible
Follow instructions

Question 15

Name 5 incidents, faults or defects and who are they reported to?

Answer 15

Signal faults
Derailment
Damage to infrastructure ie broken rail, washaway
Faulty points
Injuries
Reported to Officer in charge of operations, NOC

Question 16

What is half distance protection?

Answer 16

Formal communication between worker on the ground and the driver for propelling and setting back rail traffic movements

Question 17

Part
1. coupler head
2. guard arm
3. knuckle
4. knuckle pin
5. shank
6. locking block
7. auto lifter

Question 18

What must you check when applying the handbrakes?

Answer 18

Brake block is firmly against the wheel
Brake cylinder piston is visible
The hand brake chain is tight

Question 19

Bogie Parts

Question 20

What must be included in a shunt plan?

Answer 20

Date and time
Names and roles of all workers involved
Details of the shunt movements
Nominated radio channel
Identified hazards and specified controls
Maximum workers authorised to enter red zone
Single authorised worker name
Detail handover requirements, where relevant

Question 21

What is the correct procedure in case of an emergency?

Answer 21

Stop all movements
Radio call emergency, emergency, emergency
State who you are, the location, nature of the emergency and type of assistance required

Question 22

What is the correct procedure for coupling?

Answer 22

1. Secure rollingstock to be coupled with
2. Make sure coupler heads are aligned
3. Lift release lever
4. Stand clear & radio driver to couple up
5. Make sure locking pins dropped
6. Perform stretch test
7. If unsuccessful, separate by 10 metres. Apply 3 step and readjust coupler, release 3 step, couple and perform stretch test
8. Apply 3 step and connect air hoses. receiving end first (should already be open), supply end last. release slowly

Question 23

What is the correct procedure for uncoupling?

Answer 23

1. Apply 3 step protection and zero the brake pipe
2. Secure rollingstock to be detached by applying handbrakes
3. Close supply end brake pipe, leave receiving end open
4. Operate coupler release lever to lift coupler locking pin
5. Move to a safe position, clear of red zone, remove 3 step protection and recharge brake pipe

Question 24

What affects the number of handbrakes that need to be applied?

Answer 24

Gradient of the track
Weight of the vehicles
Number of vehicles
Power stow test
Local operating procedures/ standards

Question 25

What is the purpose of a power stow test?

Answer 25

To ensure sufficient handbrakes have been applies to a consist to hold indefinitely on the grade

Question 26

When and how must a vehicle be chocked?

Answer 26

When handbrakes are unlikely to hold or when stowing vehicles. If bunched chock wheels from bottom of grade, if stretched chock wheels from top of grade. always place chocks on side closet to main building

Question 27

What is the difference between facing and trailing movement?

Answer 27

Rail traffic moving towards the switchblades is facing, traffic moving through the points is trailing

Question 28

What are 3 types of derailing devices?

Answer 28

Bi-directional
Choke/scotch block
Catch points

Question 29

What factors are considered when marshalling a train?

Answer 29

Customer requirements, local operating procedures, destination, type of vehicle, contents of vehicle, brake requirements, loaded up front behind loco, empty at the end

Question 30

What is the name of the load compensation device and what is its function?

Answer 30

SAB
Allows greater braking effort of heavier or loaded wagons and to prevent damage to wheels on lightly loaded vehicles