Locomotives are inspected every calendar day. More indepth mechanical inspections of items, like the air brake system or cab signals, are done at Government specified intervals.
Freight cars are inspected every time a initial terminal air test is done. Again, more indepth mechanical inspections of systems or components is done at specified intervals.
As you may infer, the daily inspections are observations of basic items. It can be done by mechanical department or train, engine and yard service employees. For certain extended haul trains, a initial terminal test inspection has to be done by mechanical department people. I imagine the mechanical employees probably have a better eye for some things.
Of course those with the best eyes for defects are FRA inspectors.
Jeff
How often is a railroad required to inspect its locomotives for safety, etc.?
How often are the cars inspected?
I saw some really old cars on a BNSF train today. That's what prompts the questions.
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