If the cab signal fails en route in Rule 562 territory, which action should the engineer take?

If the cab signal fails en route in Rule 562 territory, which action should the engineer take?

• A. Continue at Normal speed and report at next interlocking
• B. Notify the Dispatcher and Conductor as soon as possible without delay, and operate at Restricted Speed unless governed by a signal or Form D authorization
• C. Stop the train and await instructions
• D. Proceed as if the cab signal failure has no effect

Answer: (B)

When cab signals fail, you can’t rely on the in-cab indications to guide your movement. The safety rule is to immediately notify the Dispatcher and Conductor without delay, and to operate at Restricted Speed to ensure you can stop within the ability to observe signals, track conditions, and obstacles ahead. This gives you the time and margin needed to react if something else is encountered on the route. Form D authority or a governing signal can override this default. If a signal or dispatcher-approved Form D directs a different speed or movement, you follow that instruction. But in the absence of such authorization, Restricted Speed is the safe default after cab signal failure. That’s why the best answer is the one that combines prompt notification with reduced speed, while recognizing that an explicit signal or Form D authorization could change those instructions.

When cab signals fail, you can’t rely on the in-cab indications to guide your movement. The safety rule is to immediately notify the Dispatcher and Conductor without delay, and to operate at Restricted Speed to ensure you can stop within the ability to observe signals, track conditions, and obstacles ahead. This gives you the time and margin needed to react if something else is encountered on the route.

Form D authority or a governing signal can override this default. If a signal or dispatcher-approved Form D directs a different speed or movement, you follow that instruction. But in the absence of such authorization, Restricted Speed is the safe default after cab signal failure.

That’s why the best answer is the one that combines prompt notification with reduced speed, while recognizing that an explicit signal or Form D authorization could change those instructions.