Railway Conductor and Operations RAIL 1020

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Module 1: Railway Freight and Passenger Equipment

• Describe the role and responsibilities of a conductor handling both freight and passenger equipment.
• Identify rail car types, apply inspection procedures.
• Identify defects and perform repairs.
• Describe and report unsafe conditions.

Module 2: Air Brakes

• Identify air brake components.
• Describe the operation of the control valve.
• Demonstrate the use and function of air brake components.
• Explain application and release dynamics.
• Identify dangerous conditions.

Module 3: Air Brake Policies and Testing

• Describe the policies and regulations necessary for safe operation.
• Demonstrate the procedures for class 1, 1a air brake inspections according to the General Operating Instructions (GOI), where required.
• Identify inspection failures. Demonstrate repair procedures where required.
• Demonstrate filling train brake status reports.

Module 4: Securement of Unattended Equipment

• Explain the use of a securement decision chart.
• Apply the procedures necessary for proper securement.
• Describe the challenges and solutions to exceptional situations.
• Identify damaged securement and apply safe handling procedures.
• Describe the handling of crew change and unattended situations.

Module 5: Train Inspections and Detectors

• Identify track side inspection equipment.
• Demonstrate pull-by inspection procedures.
• Identify and describe defective conditions.
• Demonstrate procedures to rectify defects.
• Describe exceptional conditions and handling procedures.
• Demonstrate filling out reports.

Module 6: Train Information Braking Systems (TIBS)

• Identify different types of TIBS equipment.
• Identify end of train and head of train components.
• Demonstrate the operation of the SBU and HOT equipment.
• Describe the functions of the TIBS system during operation.
• Demonstrate TIBS testing procedures.
• Identify TIBS failures and Demonstrate repair procedures.

Module 7: Train Marshalling

• Identify train types and car type definitions.
• Describe conventional, mixed, and remote operation.
• Describe marshalling requirements and when they are required.
• Demonstrate marshalling procedures.
• Describe length, tonnage, and intermodal regulations.
• Identify and describe train marshalling failures
• Describe exceptional conditions and handling procedures.
• Describe marshalling procedures for special rail car types.
• Describe conditions for safe handling and speed restrictions.

Module 8: Transportation of Dangerous Goods Level 3

• Describe regulations and carrier responsibilities when working with dangerous goods.
• Demonstrate the use of the Emergency Response Guidebook.
• Demonstrate filling out dangerous goods waybills and shipping documentation.
• Describe exceptional conditions and handling procedures.
• Describe intermodal, container, and mixed DG handling procedures.
• Describe document custody and care procedures.
• Demonstrate the use of dangerous goods marshalling charts.
• Describe the emergency response procedures and how to handle first responders.
• Identify and describe special, alert, key, and international shipments.

Module 9: Radio Equipment and Procedures

• Identify radio components
• Identify and demonstrate the use of the radio console.
• Demonstrate proper care and use of portable radios.
• Describe radio modes and channels.
• Demonstrate the use of the keypad to change channels and modes.
• Demonstrate the correct radio procedures in an emergency.
• Describe troubleshooting procedures.

Module 10: Handling Dimensional Traffic

• Describe the conditions necessary for equipment to be considered dimensional.
• Demonstrate the use and filling out of protection notices and other forms.
• Demonstrate the use of dimensional load handling charts.
• Describe meet and pass procedures.
• Describe procedures used for curves, sidings, and dimensional load zones.
• Describe crew responsibilities when handling dimensional traffic.

Module 11: Passenger Train Safety

• Describe the regulations for passenger train safety.
• Describe the roles and responsibilities of crew members.
• Demonstrate crew pre-departure procedures.
• Demonstrate procedures during an evacuation.
• Describe emergency notification procedures.
• Demonstrate procedures during exceptional situations.

Module 12: Positive Train Control Systems

• Describe what positive train control is and how it works.
• Identify and describe PTC components.
• Describe the benefits and constraints of PTC.
• Describe or demonstrate PTC during train operation.

Module 13: Railway Management

• Describe the railway management structure
• Describe the various railway departments.
• Demonstrate effective communication techniques.
• Describe operational best practices.
• Demonstrate asset management, utilizations and principles.
• Demonstrate decision skills.
• Demonstrate the keeping of accurate records.
• Describe proper leadership and its importance.

Module 14: Accident Handling and Investigation

• Describe the concept of accident scene management
• Identify and describe the fundamentals of Safety Critical Elements.
• Demonstrate the initial response procedures.
• Describe and demonstrate the procedures necessary to handle and accident safely.
• Describe the delegation of staff and teams.
• Demonstration filling out accident investigation forms and regulations reports.
• Describe formal procedures and hearings.
• Demonstrate procedures for root cause analysis and future recurrence prevention.

Module 15: Advanced Crew Resource Management

• Describe the importance of situational awareness.
• Describe how assumptions and intuition work in unsafe situations.
• Describe the influence of factors such as fatigue on safety.
• Identify and describe when a situation becomes unmanageable.
• Demonstrate assertive communication techniques.
• Demonstrate conflict resolution methods to ensure safety.

Effective as of Spring/Summer 2020