Defect Detectors?

[KJ4HPV]

Hey, I was wanting to know where I could find where some defect detectors are in my area of Knoxville,TN. I have just recently gotten into Railfanning, and am still learning. I have a Yaesu FT-2800 (my mobile 2m radio) in my car that I have programmed the Local Freqs into, along with a Radioshack Pro-164 Handheld scanner that has all of the AAR channels programmed into it.
please help me out.
73,
KJ4HPV

[icom1020]

CSX former L&N line I haven't found anything about NS detector locations but maybe someone else can elucidate.
W&H MAIN YARDS: Guide to Appalachian Coal Hauling Railroads, Volume 4a

C 251.8 OAK RIDGE SPUR
C 252.0 Clinch River
C 254.9 Edgemoor
C 255.7 Bull Run--TVA's BULL RUN STEAM PLANT LOOPTRACK
C 265.5 Defect Detector
C 268.5 Amherst--THIRD CREEK SPUR
C 274.3 Willoughby--NORFORK SOUTHERN INTERCHANGE
C 275.8 West Knoxville
C 283.9 Singleton
C 289.0 Armona--MARYVILLE BRANCH
C 292.0 Defect Detector
C 296.6 Binfield
C 311.3 Defect Detector
C 312.8 Fagin
C 316.0 Madison
C 327.9 Englewood--ATHENS & TELLICO BRANCH--NS INTERCHANGE
C 333.4 Etowah--ETOWAH YARD AND SUBDIVISION INTERCHANGE

[KJ4HPV]

thanks! now, where do I find where the milepost is located?

[icom1020]

oh no, I knew that was going to happen... without physically going on their property, which is trespassing, it's more of how close to a public roadway is the detector. You might find a map somewhere on the net that shows detector location or drive around to familiarize yourself with the railroads in your area. The mileposts have a MP location stenciled on the silver shanties next to the railroad crossings which house the electrical components for the crossing signals. Once again don't go on their property. Some of the Google maps are pretty detailed for showing old place names, which the railroads still use in places like Fagin and Armona. I don't live in K Town, used to years ago so can't help you currently but someone on here may pop in and locate them for you.

[icom1020]

For instance Fagin, TN

Fagin TN - Google Maps

That list is a few years old I gave you, sometimes they move them, sometimes they talk on defect only, good luck.

[W9RXR]

Originally Posted by KJ4HPV

thanks! now, where do I find where the milepost is located?

I believe that the Federal Railroad Administration requires that each crossing be identified. This usually takes the form of a sign attached to the crossing protection that indicates the crossing number and the milepost. In the midwest, both CSX and NS identify their crossings with this information plus the toll free number to call if there's a problem with the crossing.

So, safely stop at a crossing, find the sign and note the milepost information. Then plot the mileposts for the crossings on a map. From that, you can interpolate the locations of the defect detectors.

[icom1020]

They do require this, it can be toll free or not if its a shortline. I guess they figure in the age of cell phones it doesn't matter.

[KJ4HPV]

so the FCC says there is a licenses frequency at Bakerstown road and Amhurst rd, which is the track behind my house, does that mean there is a defect detector there if the fcc has a freq there?

[icom1020]

it could be a remote base, it could be a detector, both on the same freq. Remote bases are used by the rr's as part of their dispatching. They are spaced about every 20 miles or less. I've seen the FCC data list the site as a DED if it's a detector.

[KJ4HPV]

either way, If I go sit on the road by the tracks I will hear something?

[icom1020]

you might, it depends if trains are meeting at sidings or any switching is to be done. You can listen in to the rear end device on 457.9375 CSX or 161.115 on NS to hear how close one is.

[KJ4HPV]

so I just monitor those freqs and it will tell me where the train is?
sorry for all the questions, I am a new rail fanner

[icom1020]

Not unless they say where they are located. Its like when you listen direct on 146.52. You can tell how close they are by signal strength.

[KJ4HPV]

well what am I listening for on the CSX freq?

[FFJeffro]

If you program in the "road" freq like here on the RF&P sub its 161.550... You will here the train clearing the signals on NS & CSX track, because it is the policy to "clear" the signals over the radio... So you will need to figure out what railroad owns those tracks (like CSX) and then find what sub-division you are on and then a good website would say road freq ex... 161.550 or 160.590 etc... Or the AAR channel number like 96 or 32...

Or just google the railroad of choice for what AAR freqs they use and then program them all into your scanner and when you here the train the clearest that is most likely the channel they are on! Or if you are with in a couple of miles of the defect detector it might sound like :

Ex.... CSX detector milepost 8.1 track main 2.... CSX detector milepost 8.1 track main 2, no defects, total axles 67, lenght 890ft, defect detector out....

It will take time to figure it all out but after awhile you will be able to set up at know how long its going to take the train to move from CFP 6.6 to CFP 9.3 as an example....