What action should you take if a flagman is protecting a track ahead of your train?

• A. Protect the movement as directed, reduce speed, and be prepared to stop; comply with flagging signals and dispatcher instructions.
• B. Increase speed to pass the protected area quickly.
• C. Ignore flagging signals and rely on crew communication.
• D. Hold at the signal and wait for the flagger to wave you through.

Answer: (C)

When a flagman is protecting a track ahead, you must proceed only under the flagger’s direction and dispatcher instructions. Slow down and be prepared to stop within the flag protection distance, and follow every flagging signal exactly. The flagman’s role is to ensure the track is clear and safe for your train, so their signals override other assumptions and you should not rely on crew chatter alone. Increasing speed or ignoring the flag signals creates a dangerous situation, and waiting for the flagger to wave you through without explicit clearance is not how entry to a protected track is authorized. Follow the flagger’s instructions and only proceed when cleared.