Exam prep · UK
PTS Emergencies practice questions
Danger to trains, hand signals, clips, detonators, dangerous goods and fallen power lines.
Updated 8 November 2026 for the latest Rule Book
Key rules
See all 55 key rulesWhen acting to prevent death, injury or damage, never put yourself in danger.
RT3170 Iss 11 (2024) §7.3
Make an emergency call to the Electrical Control Operator (ECO) straight away for anything that needs the electricity switched off.
RT3170 Iss 11 (2024) §8.4
Reasons to call the ECO include a derailment, a person in contact with electrification equipment, a fire on a train, vehicle or lineside, and damage to the OLE or conductor rail.
RT3170 Iss 11 (2024) §8.4
When calling the ECO, explain why the electricity needs to be switched off.
RT3170 Iss 11 (2024) §8.4
If you see or are told about a danger to trains, immediately tell the person in charge, the signaller or Operations Control (an emergency call), and take any necessary action such as stopping trains yourself.
RT3170 Iss 11 (2024) §8.1
In a danger-to-trains situation you might also need to call the emergency services.
RT3170 Iss 11 (2024) §8.1
Dangers on a moving train include an unclosed door, an insecure load, a fire or hot axle box, no lit headlight or tail lamp, crew showing a red flag or light, repeated long horn blasts, and flashing headlights.
RT3170 Iss 11 (2024) §8.1
Hazards that may endanger trains include a track defect, flood, obstruction, fire, damage to structures or earthworks, any light out at an emergency indicator, and a colour light signal showing no aspect.
RT3170 Iss 11 (2024) §8.1
A cow, bull or other large animal within the boundary fence is a hazard to trains even if it is not an immediate danger; so are any other animals on or near the line.
RT3170 Iss 11 (2024) §8.1
The signaller does not need to be told about an obstruction you can remove safely.
RT3170 Iss 11 (2024) §8.1
In an emergency you can stop a train with a hand danger signal, which must be clearly visible to the driver.
RT3170 Iss 11 (2024) §8.2
In daylight, stop a train by showing a red flag to the driver or, without a red flag, by raising both arms above your head.
RT3170 Iss 11 (2024) §8.2
Sample questions
1. You find a broken rail and cannot contact the signaller by lineside or mobile phone. How do you protect the line?
- Walk 1 km towards approaching trains and place 3 detonators 20 m apart
- Walk 2 km towards approaching trains and place 2 detonators 30 m apart
- Walk 2 km towards approaching trains and place 3 detonators 20 m apart
- Walk 2 km in the direction trains travel away and place 3 detonators 20 m apart
Answer: C. Walk 2 km towards approaching trains and place 3 detonators 20 m apart
If you cannot reach the signaller, walk 2 km (1¼ miles) towards approaching trains and place three detonators 20 metres apart on each affected line. This is full detonator protection and warns the driver in time to stop before the danger.
- Walk 1 km towards approaching trains and place 3 detonators 20 m apart: 1 km is too short; the protection distance is 2 km.
- Walk 2 km towards approaching trains and place 2 detonators 30 m apart: It is three detonators 20 m apart, not two at 30 m.
- Walk 2 km in the direction trains travel away and place 3 detonators 20 m apart: You must walk towards approaching trains, not away from them.
Source: RT3170 Iss 11 (2024) §8.3
2. In daylight you are standing on the ground and must stop a train urgently, but you have no red flag. What hand signal do you give?
- Hold one arm out horizontally
- Raise one arm straight above your head
- Cross both arms in front of your chest
- Raise both arms above your head
Answer: D. Raise both arms above your head
In daylight the emergency stop signal is a red flag. If you have no flag and you are not riding on a vehicle, raise both arms above your head. The signal must be clearly visible to the driver.
- Hold one arm out horizontally: One arm held out horizontally is the signal only when you are riding on a vehicle.
- Raise one arm straight above your head: One raised arm is not the emergency stop signal.
- Cross both arms in front of your chest: Crossed arms are not the emergency stop signal.
Source: RT3170 Iss 11 (2024) §8.2; GERT8000-HB1 Iss 9 §8.2
3. It is dark and foggy and you must stop an approaching train in an emergency. Which hand danger signal is correct?
- Show a red light, or wave any light violently
- Hold a white light steady towards the driver
- Raise both arms above your head
- Show a red light only; no other light may be used
Answer: A. Show a red light, or wave any light violently
In darkness or poor visibility you stop a train by showing a red light or by waving any light violently. Whatever you use must be clearly visible to the driver, so they can see the danger in time.
- Hold a white light steady towards the driver: A steady white light is neither red nor waved, so it is not a danger signal.
- Raise both arms above your head: Raising both arms is the daylight signal and would not be seen in dark fog.
- Show a red light only; no other light may be used: Waving any light violently is also an accepted danger signal.
Source: RT3170 Iss 11 (2024) §8.2
4. You must apply a track circuit operating clip on a third-rail DC line. Where do you attach the first clip?
- The running rail nearest the conductor rail
- The running rail furthest from the conductor rail
- The conductor rail
- Either running rail, whichever is easier to reach
Answer: B. The running rail furthest from the conductor rail
With a conductor rail present, attach the first clip to the running rail furthest from it. The clip connects the two running rails, which puts the nearest signal on the approach to danger on track-circuited lines.
- The running rail nearest the conductor rail: Starting near the conductor rail raises the risk of contact with it.
- The conductor rail: The clip goes between the two running rails, never on the conductor rail.
- Either running rail, whichever is easier to reach: The order matters: furthest running rail first.
Source: RT3170 Iss 11 (2024) §8.3
5. True or false: in a four-rail DC area, your first step to protect an obstruction is to fit a track circuit operating clip.
- True
- False
Answer: B. False
Track circuit operating clips cannot be used in four-rail DC areas. You must use other means, such as contacting the signaller or detonator protection.
Source: RT3170 Iss 11 (2024) §8.3