Alabama Heavy Railroad Construction Contractor Examination

What is the primary purpose of a silt fence on a railroad construction site?

• ATo permanently retain stormwater on the right-of-way
• BTo temporarily trap sediment and reduce off-site sediment discharge
• CTo replace the need for permanent vegetation after final grade
• DTo divert all channelized flow into underground drains

When should temporary erosion and sediment controls be installed relative to land-disturbing activity on a railroad corridor?

• AOnly after the first rainfall event after grading
• BBefore or as soon as practicable after land disturbance begins, per the SWPPP and permit
• COnly after track ballast is placed
• DOnly at final demobilization

A railroad embankment slope is eroding in concentrated rills after heavy rain. Which measure BEST addresses concentrated flow erosion?

• AInstall only a single silt fence at the toe and take no other action
• BIntercept and convey concentrated flow with diversions, slope drains, or lined channels a…
• CIncrease the silt-fence fabric mesh opening size
• DRemove all vegetation so runoff can sheet evenly

Which practice is MOST appropriate for temporary stabilization of a large cleared railroad staging area that will remain idle for several weeks?

• ALeave the area bare and rely on adjacent silt fence only
• BApply temporary seed, mulch, or other approved temporary cover to reduce erosion
• CCover the entire area with plastic sheeting that is not anchored
• DFlood the area intentionally to settle dust

What is the primary function of ballast under railroad track?

• ATo permanently glue the rails to the subgrade
• BTo support and drain the track structure, distribute loads, and hold geometry
• CTo eliminate the need for ties or sleepers
• DTo provide the sole electrical insulation for signal systems

Standard track gauge on mainline North American railroads is approximately:

• A3 feet 6 inches
• B4 feet 8-1/2 inches
• C5 feet 6 inches
• D6 feet 0 inches

Why is clean, free-draining ballast preferred over dirty, fouled ballast?

• AFouled ballast always provides higher lateral resistance
• BClean ballast drains better and maintains support and geometry longer
• CFouled ballast eliminates the need for tamping
• DClean ballast is only required under road crossings

During new track construction, what is the usual order of major track components from bottom to top?

• ARail, ties, ballast, subgrade
• BSubgrade (prepared), subballast/ballast, ties, rail and fastenings
• CTies, rail, ballast, subgrade
• DBallast, rail, ties, subgrade

What is the main purpose of a turnout (switch) in railroad track?

• ATo measure train speed
• BTo divert rolling stock from one track to another
• CTo permanently close a grade crossing
• DTo increase rail hardness only

Continuous welded rail (CWR) is installed under controlled temperature conditions primarily to:

• AEliminate all need for rail anchors or fasteners
• BManage thermal expansion and contraction and reduce buckling or pull-apart risk
• CMake the rail softer for easier cutting
• DAvoid any requirement for ballast

Which statement BEST describes the role of crossties (sleepers)?

• AThey only decorate the track corridor
• BThey hold gauge, support the rails, and transfer load into the ballast
• CThey replace ballast under all mainline track
• DThey are used only on bridges and never on embankments

After surfacing track with a tamping machine, what is the usual purpose of dynamic track stabilization or controlled train operation?

• ATo deliberately destroy ballast interlock
• BTo help consolidate ballast and restore lateral stability more quickly
• CTo remove all ballast shoulders
• DTo eliminate the need for any geometry check

Subballast is typically placed between the subgrade and the ballast primarily to:

• AAct as the running surface for train wheels
• BProvide a filter/separation and load-distribution layer that protects the subgrade
• CReplace rails on industrial spurs
• DServe as the only drainage path under concrete ties

When setting rail joints on jointed track, staggered joints (joints not opposite each other) are preferred mainly because they:

• AIncrease rail temperature beyond the preferred rail laying temperature
• BReduce simultaneous impact and help ride quality and track strength compared with matched…
• CEliminate the need for joint bars
• DAllow unlimited gauge widening

What is the primary structural purpose of a railroad bridge pier?

• ATo store ballast for emergency repairs
• BTo support superstructure loads and transfer them into the foundation/substructure
• CTo act as a grade-crossing warning device
• DTo replace the need for abutments at span ends

On a concrete railroad bridge, expansion joints and bearings are provided primarily to:

• AIncrease live-load impact without control
• BAccommodate thermal movement, rotation, and structural deformation without overstressing…
• CEliminate all inspection requirements
• DBond the deck permanently to the approach embankment

Which factor is MOST critical when constructing a concrete railroad bridge abutment against an approach embankment?

• APaint color of the formwork
• BDrainage, backfill quality/compaction, and control of earth pressure and scour
• CUsing only lightweight unreinforced concrete for the stem
• DEliminating wing walls on all designs

Why is concrete cover over reinforcement especially important in railroad bridges exposed to weather and deicing chemicals?

• ACover is only aesthetic and has no durability effect
• BAdequate cover protects rebar from moisture and chlorides that cause corrosion and spalli…
• CZero cover maximizes bond for all outdoor structures
• DCover replaces the need for any concrete strength

During placement of a cast-in-place railroad bridge deck, excessive delay between successive concrete deliveries that creates a cold joint is a concern because:

• AIt always increases design live load
• BIt can create a plane of weakness and reduce structural continuity if not properly treated
• CIt automatically improves watertightness
• DIt eliminates the need for vibration

What is a common purpose of approach slabs at the ends of railroad or highway-railway concrete bridges?

• ATo replace the entire main span superstructure
• BTo smooth the transition between flexible approach fill and the stiffer bridge structure
• CTo remove all need for track surfacing forever
• DTo act as the primary river pier

On active railroad right-of-way, what is the primary purpose of railroad worker protection (roadway worker protection) rules?

• ATo increase train speed through work zones
• BTo protect workers from trains and on-track equipment through established safety methods
• CTo eliminate all need for personal protective equipment
• DTo allow workers to foul track without authority

Before workers foul a live track, they must typically:

• AAssume trains will stop automatically
• BObtain the required form of on-track safety authority or protection for that track
• CPlace tools on the rail head as a warning
• DRely only on hearing train horns without any formal protection

High-visibility clothing on railroad construction sites is worn primarily to:

• AReplace hard hats
• BMake workers more conspicuous to train crews and equipment operators
• CInsulate against electrical current on the rail
• DIndicate that no other PPE is needed

When working near overhead power lines with cranes or pile equipment on a railroad job, the contractor should FIRST:

• AIgnore line voltage because rubber tires isolate the machine
• BIdentify line locations and required clearances and use de-energization, barriers, or ded…
• CRaise the boom fully before surveying utilities
• DAssume all lines are communication cables only

A trench excavation for a railroad drainage structure is deeper than 5 feet and workers must enter. What is generally required under OSHA excavation rules?

• ANo protection if the soil looks firm
• BA protective system such as sloping, shoring, or shielding unless a competent person dete…
• COnly a warning sign with no physical protection
• DFilling the trench with water for stability

What is the role of a competent person on a construction excavation adjacent to railroad track?

• ATo perform only payroll duties
• BTo identify hazards, classify soil as needed, and authorize protective systems and daily…
• CTo operate trains through the work zone
• DTo waive all OSHA requirements by verbal order

Hearing protection is particularly important around railroad construction because:

• ATrack work never produces noise above conversation levels
• BImpact tools, tampers, pile hammers, and locomotives can produce hazardous noise levels
• CHearing protection replaces the need for eye protection
• DNoise only matters underground

When a lookout/watchman is used for roadway worker protection, the lookout's primary duty is to:

• AOperate heavy equipment while watching for trains
• BDetect approaching trains or equipment and provide timely warning so workers can clear th…
• COnly document timesheets
• DFoul the track to flag trains with hand tools

Fall protection is generally required by OSHA construction rules when workers are exposed to falls of how many feet or more (with recognized exceptions)?

• A2 feet
• B4 feet
• C6 feet
• D20 feet only

What is the safest practice when a construction vehicle must cross active tracks at a private crossing on a work site?

• ARace across without stopping if the track looks clear
• BStop, look, and listen; yield to trains; use a spotter if needed; and obey railroad and s…
• CPark on the tracks while waiting for instructions
• DAssume gates will always be present and working

Confined-space hazards during tunnel or culvert work on railroad projects may include:

• AOnly noise, with no atmospheric risk
• BOxygen deficiency, toxic gases, engulfment, and limited entry/egress
• COnly bright lighting glare
• DGuaranteed safe air because the space is outdoors nearby

Before using a portable generator on a remote railroad construction site, which practice BEST reduces electrocution and fire risk?

• ABypass all GFCI protection to avoid nuisance trips
• BUse proper grounding/bonding as required, GFCI protection where applicable, and undamaged…
• CPlace the generator inside an unventilated vault
• DRefuel while the engine is running

Silica dust control is important when cutting concrete ties, drilling rock, or grinding concrete on railroad projects because:

• ASilica dust only stains clothing
• BRespirable crystalline silica can cause serious lung disease including silicosis
• CSilica is always nonhazardous outdoors
• DDust masks of any type are never needed if work is brief

If a worker is injured on a railroad construction site, the FIRST priority is to:

• AComplete the daily production report before helping
• BSecure the scene from immediate hazards (including train traffic) and provide/obtain emer…
• CMove the injured worker onto the track for easier ambulance access
• DPhotograph the injury only and send everyone back to work

Proper subgrade preparation for new railroad embankment typically requires:

• APlacing fill on top of organic topsoil without stripping
• BRemoving unsuitable materials, achieving specified compaction, and controlling moisture a…
• CUsing only frozen soil for structural fill
• DAvoiding any density testing

Why is moisture content controlled during compaction of embankment fills for railroad roadbed?

• AMoisture has no effect on achievable density
• BNear-optimum moisture allows efficient densification; too wet or too dry reduces compacti…
• COnly completely dry soil can ever be compacted
• DOnly saturated soil meets density specifications

What is the primary purpose of side ditches and cross drains along a railroad embankment?

• ATo store hazardous waste
• BTo intercept and convey surface water away from the track structure
• CTo increase subgrade saturation intentionally
• DTo replace ballast under the ties

When placing structural fill in lifts for a railroad approach embankment, thinner lifts are generally preferred when:

• AThe specification allows any lift thickness without regard to equipment
• BCompaction equipment energy and soil type require controlled lift thickness to densify th…
• CThe goal is to hide soft zones without compaction
• DRain is falling heavily and no protection is planned

Proof rolling a prepared subgrade before placing subballast is performed mainly to:

• AMeasure rail gauge
• BDetect soft spots, pumping, or unstable areas under a heavy roller or loaded truck
• CInstall signal bonds
• DSet final rail elevation only

Geotextile fabric under ballast or subballast is commonly used to:

• AIncrease train horsepower
• BSeparate fine subgrade soils from granular layers and improve filtration/stabilization
• CReplace rails on mainline track
• DEliminate all need for drainage ditches

Which condition MOST indicates that a railroad embankment fill may be unstable and needs remediation?

• AUniform color throughout the lift
• BPumping under rollers, excessive rutting, or lateral spreading of the fill
• CSlightly angular particle shape in select granular fill
• DPresence of specified density test results meeting the project criteria

Clearing and grubbing on a new railroad alignment typically includes:

• AOnly painting trees without removal
• BRemoving vegetation, stumps, and organic debris that would compromise the embankment or d…
• CPlacing ballast before removing roots
• DLeaving large stumps in the structural fill prism

When excavating near an existing track that must remain in service, a critical sitework concern is:

• AThat ballast color matches the new work
• BMaintaining track support, slope stability, and required clearances while protecting work…
• CRemoving all signal wires without railroad coordination
• DUndercutting the crib and shoulder without temporary support

Select fill for structural railroad embankments is preferred over random organic-laden soil because select fill:

• AIs always free and unlimited
• BProvides more predictable strength, compaction, and long-term support
• CNever requires moisture control
• DEliminates the need for drainage design