When a track signal shows restricted speed, what must the engineer do?

• A. Maintain speed
• B. Stop immediately at the signal
• C. Reduce speed to published restricted speed and be prepared to stop short of the next signal if required
• D. Continue regardless of the signal

Answer: (C)

When a signal shows restricted speed, you must slow to the published restricted speed and stay ready to stop short of the next signal if required. This rule ensures you can safely stop within the distance you can see and react to conditions ahead, since a restricted-speed indication often means there may be a hazard or a need to proceed with extra caution in the block ahead. Maintaining normal operating speed would be unsafe under these conditions, and you only stop immediately or ignore the signal if the rules for the current signal specifically require it; otherwise, you proceed at the restricted speed and be prepared to stop at the next signal if it demands it.