When a wayside signal affecting the movement displays an Approach, Medium Approach, Slow Approach, Restricting, or Stop and Proceed aspect, the Engineer must?

• A. Stop the train immediately
• B. Verbally communicate to a qualified employee on the engine or train the name and location of each signal, as soon as the signal is clearly visible
• C. Reduce speed to half the signal limit
• D. Notify Dispatcher of the signal

Answer: (B)

When a wayside signal that affects movement shows approaches or restrictive aspects, the engineer must verbally call out the name and location of each signal to a qualified employee on the engine or train as soon as the signal is clearly visible. This immediate verbal identification keeps the crew synchronized with the signal’s status, ensuring the correct authority and restrictions are understood before proceeding. It’s a safety check that helps confirm the exact signal in effect and prepares the crew to adjust speed or stopping accordingly. Not stopping immediately, not automatically cutting speed in half, and not notifying the dispatcher are not the actions required by this rule; the mandated step is the on-board verbal acknowledgment to a qualified coworker.