When encountering a temporary obstruction on the track, which steps should you take?

• A. Stop immediately and reverse away.
• B. Route around if possible.
• C. Slow to a safe speed, protect the obstruction, and await clearance or a removal plan from the dispatcher.
• D. Proceed at normal speed.

Answer: (C)

When you encounter a temporary obstruction on the track, the priority is safety and coordination. Slow to a safe speed so you have time to react if the obstruction moves or there’s any change in conditions. Protect the obstruction by establishing a protection zone and using signals or flags to warn following trains and crews that the track ahead is not clear. Then await clearance or a removal plan from the dispatcher, who coordinates the safe handling of the obstruction and any routing changes. This approach avoids rushing through the area or attempting to bypass the obstruction without proper instruction.