Who is responsible for the care and control of the waybill/consist on a train?

• A. Dispatcher
• B. Yardmaster
• C. Conductor's Assistant
• D. Train Conductor/Engineer

Answer: (D)

The train crew in charge of the train and its paperwork is responsible for the care and control of the waybill and the car consist. The conductor is the primary custodian of the train’s consist and waybill, ensuring the list of cars, their order, and any hazardous materials information match what is on board and making any required updates. The engineer, while focused on operating the locomotive, must also be aware of the actual consist and its contents to operate safely and in compliance with rules. Dispatchers control movement authority from a central position, and yardmasters manage movements within yards, but they do not hold day-to-day custody of the train’s waybill and consist once the train is moving. Thus, the responsibility rests with the Train Conductor/Engineer.