After passing a Yellow/Red flag, you observe a red flag located on the field side of the track 2 miles beyond the yellow/red flag, with no form B track bulletin in effect. How may you pass the red flag?

• A. Stop at the red flag. Await instructions which include speed and distance.
• B. Proceed past the red flag with caution.
• C. Call the dispatcher and proceed.
• D. Ignore the flag if no one is present.

Answer: (A)

Red flags tell you to stop and obtain explicit clearance before moving on. When you see a red flag, you must come to a stop at the flag and wait for instructions that specify your clearance, including the allowed speed and the distance you may travel past the signal. Since there is no Form B track bulletin in effect, you don’t have a separate authority to pass; you need to be told exactly how to proceed. Rushing past the flag or attempting to proceed after a quick check, or calling the dispatcher and then proceeding without clear permission, would bypass the required authorization. Ignoring the flag isn’t acceptable either, because the signal is there to protect operations and ensure safe passage. So stopping and awaiting instructions is the correct course.