The Testing Team places one torpedo on the rail even with the locatioin of a whistle board at a public grade crossing, and then hides somewhere to observe the crossing.

If your train approaches, and they hear the torpedo BEFORE they hear your whistle, they can cite you for not properly blowing for the crossing.

Of course you better had sound the whistle until the crossing is completely occupied, and don't forget the bell, headlight and ditchlight and rules.

ALSO, don't be distracted by incidents at the crossing and forget the torpedo you just ran over. A Level II incident could suddenly become a Decertifiable Offense just a short distance further down the track.

Remember: One torpedo means the same as two....

The Readout Machine can do most of their work by telling them how long you blew the whistle for crossings. If it doesn't compute to at least 1/4 mile, the Postal Service will do the rest of their work, when your postman shows you where to sign for your Level II.

This same thing can be done to check speed, headlights, use of independent, power & air breaking and for coming on with the dynamic too fast etc.)

This test has been used on other service units by the FRA, with their agents wearing Orange Vests to look like Maintenance of Way Employees.

A Failure is counted when a train approaches a crews and the engineer fails to blow the whistle. (In some cases, the Union Pacific has been fined, and the engineers received Level II.)

WHEN your train approaches a Maintenance of Way employee, vehicles or equipment, the whistle MUST be sounded UNTIL a MofW Employees acknowledge the train by a wave of a hand.

IF employees are spread out down the track, acknowledgement by the first employees you meet DOES NOT RELIEVE YOU FROM BLOWING THE WHISTLE for employees FURTHER down the track.

REMEMBER: Even if you see a vehicle or equipment and do not see any MofW Personnel, you STILL MUST sound the whistle.