Defect Detectors

[Anonymous]

The other night I was listening to my scanner. Ther was a train in the area that had got stopped by a defect detector alarm that turned out to be false. I was wondering how often this occurs? Are the detectors set to err on the side of caution?

[Anonymous]

yes they are set to err on the side of safety. It doesn't happen too often, usually, but occaisionally you get one that goes "crazy" and it will stop every single train that goes over it until a signal maintainer comes and fixes it. just a little side note, if a detector get you and it's false and then the next detector gets you and it's the same car, even if you check it and it is o.k., you have to set the car out (at least on the UP you have to), so they are erring again on the side of safety.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. That was what I caught was the dispatcher calling out the signal maintainer. One other question. What is done with the car after it is set out? Do they send a special run out after it?

[Anonymous]

on the UP they send out what they call a wheel truck to fix whatever the problem is. basically a couple of carmen with a big truck that has lifts, jacks, compressors, torches, etc. and they fix the problem right there, even the false detections will have the offending axle bearing replaced. then the next train (usually the same symbol) that is headed to the car's destination/interchange/yard will stop and pick it up and take it on it's way.