If a penalty brake application does not occur while performing an alerter test, what should be done?

If a penalty brake application does not occur while performing an alerter test, what should be done?

• A. The locomotive must not be used as a controlling locomotive
• B. The test should be repeated immediately
• C. The brakes should be released and recharged
• D. The train should be inspected by FRA

Answer: (A)

An alerter test checks that the alerting system will automatically apply the brakes if the engineer doesn’t respond within the allotted time. If the penalty brake does not engage during this test, it means the safety device isn’t functioning properly. Because that alerting/safety mechanism cannot be trusted to protect the train, the locomotive cannot be used as the controlling locomotive until the alerter issue is repaired and the test passes. Repeating the test right away wouldn’t fix the underlying malfunction, and releasing and recharging brakes don’t address the failure of the alerting system. An FRA inspection isn’t the immediate action needed here; the priority is to keep the locomotive out of control service until the defect is corrected.

An alerter test checks that the alerting system will automatically apply the brakes if the engineer doesn’t respond within the allotted time. If the penalty brake does not engage during this test, it means the safety device isn’t functioning properly. Because that alerting/safety mechanism cannot be trusted to protect the train, the locomotive cannot be used as the controlling locomotive until the alerter issue is repaired and the test passes. Repeating the test right away wouldn’t fix the underlying malfunction, and releasing and recharging brakes don’t address the failure of the alerting system. An FRA inspection isn’t the immediate action needed here; the priority is to keep the locomotive out of control service until the defect is corrected.