If both headlights on the lead locomotive fail en-route how must the train proceed?

• A. The locomotive may continue to operate to the earlier of the next calendar day inspection or the nearest forward location where necessary repairs can be made
• B. The pilot must back up to the last yard
• C. The train must stop immediately and wait for a lead unit
• D. The crew must disassemble the locomotive

Answer: (B)

When the forward lighting fails on the lead locomotive, there is no safe way to continue on the main line with no forward illumination. The headlight is the primary means of seeing signals, track conditions, and potential obstacles ahead, and it also helps other crews see the train. Without it, the risk of missing signals or striking an object is too great to justify moving forward.

The safe, prescribed action is to move the locomotive and train back to a known, safe location where repairs can be made—the last yard. Backing to the yard allows repair work to be performed under controlled conditions with proper protection and clear signals in place, reducing the risk of a collision or other incident on the main line. Once the headlight issue is resolved or a lead unit with proper lighting is available, service can resume.

Options that involve continuing without headlights, stopping and waiting indefinitely for another lead unit, or disassembling the locomotive don’t provide a safe or practical path forward given the loss of essential visibility.