Defect detector????

[FThunder11]

I was on the way home one day, and there is a track along the highway. I was watching the track, since tI couldnt see any trains, and i noticed this weird thing along the tracks. IT was two things that stuck up, facing eachother on each side of the track. They were mounted on metal poles at about wheel level, and were like white square plates. they obviously used electricity since a little further away was an electrak box thing(one with a light) that was connected to the power poles. I hope that was detailed enough, but what was it. I was thinking it was a defect detector, but i'm probably wrong. thanks, kevin

[rich747us]

No doubt in my mind that is a detector used to check for hotboxes if it is down at track level like you say. There are however devices that are trackside, mounted on poles, but are mounted significantly higher than track lever. These are AEI scanners (Automatic Equipment Identifier). They scan the small magnetic strips on freight cars (very small, but if you look hard, you can see 'em) for the purposes of tracking shipments. Another type of defect detector is the draging equipment detector which is identifiable by the narrow bars both between and outside the rails. If the wheels of a derailed car strike one of the bars, the alarm gets tripped off. I hope this answered your question. If you'ver got any more, or need clarification, please let me know.

[louisnash]

I got to love those defect detectors. On my scanner at work when they go off I know I will see a train in about 5 minutes. I usually don't hear the crews talk much, so the defect detectors do the trick for me.

Brian (KY)

[BaltACD]

Defect detectors are the bain of the Train Dispatchers existance.

First they stop trains, both for legitmate defects and also for false indications....a stopped train wrecks all the planing the dispatcher had in place and forces him to replan the operation of his territory. The rule of thumb, for planning purposes only, the train will be stopped for one hour in making an inspection (a normal 5000 to 7000 foot train - longer trains = longer delays, short trains = shorter delays)

Second, the defect detector send a radio transmission of the 'Defect Report' over the road radio channel. The defect detectors don't observe radio etequitte and walk all over any radio conversations that the dispatcher be conductintg.

They are a necessary evil in the operation of todays railroads, but to the Train Dispatcher they are pure evil.

[espeefoamer]

It may be an instrument for detecting broken flanges.

[CliqueofOne]

Hot Wheel Detector. Signal Mechanic. Signal Department. Canadian National Railways.