Not always!Railroad cars always give advanced notice that they are ready to or getting ready to fail in some way.
The trick is whether or not railroad personnel notice the car or not. That usually requires being at track side when the train is passing as opposed to inspecting the train when it is stopped. It might be asking a lot.
But preventive maintenance can help.t's always possible that something may develop in between these relatively frequent inspections. There's still no guarantee that even more frequent inspections would prevent derailments like this.
They are called "hot box" detectors. When bearings are failing they heat up due to increasing friction.The typical "advance notice" can usually be detected by trackside detectors, which are generally placed every 10 or so miles (give or take) along the route. No need to have someone paid to stand there watching trains go by.
Plus, crews of passing trains are supposed to inspect each others' trains as they go by.
It's always possible that something may develop in between these relatively frequent inspections. There's still no guarantee that even more frequent inspections would prevent derailments like this.
Enter your email address to join: