Upon receiving a second hot bearing alarm with no identified defect, what is your next required action?

When faced with a second hot bearing alarm without an identified defect, the appropriate action is to set out the indicated locomotive. This decision stems from the critical need to ensure safety and prevent potential derailments or other hazards related to overheating bearings. A second alarm indicates a significant concern that could lead to equipment failure if not addressed immediately.

The protocol emphasizes that once a second alarm is received, there is a heightened level of risk associated with the equipment. Setting out the locomotive in question helps mitigate this risk. This action allows for further investigation and repair of the bearing issue while ensuring the safety of the train operation.

Continuing to the next station or proceeding with caution for a certain distance does not adequately address the potential danger posed by a malfunctioning bearing. Isolating the entire consist, while a proactive step, may not be necessary if only one locomotive is identified with an issue. Hence, setting out the indicated locomotive directly addresses the problem without unnecessary complication.