3 ms·
> Two zero axles zero faults, said the computer. There are infrared sensors along the tracks that look for overheated wheel bearings. They're called hot box d
by chiph 12y ago
> Two zero axles zero faults, said the computer.
There are infrared sensors along the tracks that look for overheated wheel bearings. They're called hot box detectors.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defect_detector http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defect_detector
These allowed the railroads to eliminate cabooses and their crews.
- kalleboo 12y agoThat's interesting, why would you put it along the track and not on the train itself? In the 60's it made sense but today wouldn't it be cheap to put digital temperature sensors on the trains like cars have?
- chiph 12y agoProbably cost. There are millions of rail cars, both here and in Canada (not sure if the railroads run trains in Mexico) that would need to be taken out of service and fitted with them. Plus, easier to test to see if the detectors are working - just run a work train past them with a resistance heater hanging off it to simulate a hot bearing. And -- the sensors would have to communicate with the crew if there's an alarm, and they could be a half mile away (long trains are long) inside a tunnel. There aren't any data connections between cars (and wouldn't be reliable if there were), so the on-car detector would have to have a powerful radio. Added cost & complexity.
- gsnedders 12y agoAre journal bearings still common on American rolling stock?
- Gracana 12y agoProbably not, but modern bearings can still fail, and the result would be just as catastrophic.