What happens if an employee cannot contact the train dispatcher before the time limit expires?

The correct answer indicates that authority is extended until contact is made. In the railroad industry, maintaining communication with the train dispatcher is critical for safety and operational efficiency. If an employee, such as a conductor, is unable to contact the train dispatcher before a specific time limit, the established protocols allow for the authority to be extended until they can successfully communicate.

This extension emphasizes the importance of ensuring that trains operate safely without unnecessary disruption while still prioritizing communication. It allows the employee to continue operations and avoid halting the train unnecessarily, which could lead to delays and inefficiencies.

In contrast, stopping the train immediately or having the authority automatically revoked would create significant operational challenges and inefficiencies. Waiting for the next schedule does not align with maintaining workflow and operational continuity, which is why extending the authority until contact is made is the most effective and sensible approach.