UP Derailment in Littlerock CA

Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum

Help Support Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
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.
 
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.
Not always!
rolleyes.gif


Sometimes they're hit or hit something on the track. There are many reasons why they may derail. And going by your statement, you will require an inspector to stand at track side 24/7/365 every 10 feet wherever there is a track, just to inspect the train cars. Are you going to pay their salaries too?
huh.gif
 
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.
 
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.
But preventive maintenance can help.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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.
They are called "hot box" detectors. When bearings are failing they heat up due to increasing friction.
 
There are a number of different types of detectors. Hot box, excessive impact, dragging equipment, high car, etc.
 
Back
Top