Automated Defect Detector

[Anonymous]

While riding the VRE (Virginia Rail Express) on CSX tracks south of Washington, DC, I heard the conductor get a radio call from an automated defect detector. What are these things and how do they work?

[Anonymous]

It's a device mounted in/on the ground at the tracks that monitors a passing train for potentially dangerous conditions. Such things include but are not limited to: hot boxes (overheated wheel bearings), or derailed wheels. Some also monitor for excess height cars where clearance restrictions may be nearby. Here on NS, a typical detector spiel goes something like this (in a robotic voice): NS Detector, Milepost xx.x, Track x, no defects. In ye olde Conrail days, this would also include "Total Axle Count" and "Train Speed." Detectors really look like something that might trigger grade crossing signals, but they are not. If there is a problem, a shrill noise will be heard on the radio, followed by the detector's spiel; but the "no defects" will be replaced by something like: "First hotbox, south side, axle xx." These detectors come in handy when railfanning, as they give you an extra advanced warning of a train in the area. A good radio can pick these up from up to 10 miles away. Hope all this helps.

[Anonymous]

Defect detectors are mounted on or below the ground for the hot box they can also give axle count to help the conductor and engineer to amke sure that there train is intact along with the etd yhese detectors are called in the timetable as 5b the other type of defect detector is a 5a these are used to protect bridges and tunnels from high/wide loads to prevent derailments. T he messeage that is most heard from the detector is being i work for the bnsf i will use theres it will say bnsf dector mile post xxx.x no defects total axle count xxx bnsf detector out it is not a complete message until the train crew hears out if there is a defect the crew will hear hot box axle xxx right side then the engineer stops the train and the conductor takes a walk to investagate to problem if the crew gets tagged by a 5a detector the train get stopped emiedataly with good train handling and the conductor walks both sides of the train if nothing is found the train may proceede and findings reported to the dispatcher. The above is right they can help in finding the trains if you can get between two of the you can hear them comeing and going. Rodney conductor BNSF

[Anonymous]

The detector has a infrared sensors next to the rail that can detect over heating bearings and brakes. And most detectors have paddles at rail height to detect any thing hanging low or dragging. And some will have wire or light sensors for wide or high loads.

gwl
http://photosbygreg.us

[Anonymous]

That sounds exactly like the device I heard. I'll have to see if I can set my scanner to pick up the radio transmissions. Thanks