If you observe a misaligned switch ahead of you, what should you do before proceeding?

• A. Do not proceed, protect the movement, and obtain proper authority or instruction from the dispatcher before proceeding.
• B. Proceed with caution but continue.
• C. Back the train to a safe location.
• D. Notify the engineer after you pass the switch.

Answer: (A)

When you see a misaligned switch, safety means stopping and not moving through it until you have explicit authorization and the switch is confirmed safe. The immediate steps are to protect the movement—set the train brakes as required and establish the proper visual or physical protection (flags, lights, or other protection per your rules) to warn and stop oncoming movements. Then contact the dispatcher to obtain the correct authority or instruction on how to proceed. Only after you’ve been told it’s safe or given a specific instruction should you move, such as backing to a safe location or waiting for the switch to be lined or repaired.

Proceeding with caution isn’t enough because the switch isn’t confirmed safe, and moving through it could cause a derailment or collision. Backing without dispatcher instruction isn’t guaranteed to be permitted or safe, and notifying the engineer after you pass the switch is too late once you’ve crossed an unsafe alignment.