Automated track fault and axle count reporting

[Mark]

Travelled on Amtrak CSX track from Virginia to Florida several times with scanner in tow.
In addition to the automated CSX track detectors Amtrak engineers will call out on radio to Amtrak
train passing in opposite direction and mention "nothing dragging" "nothing seen" etc to each other after passing.
Sort of a extra courtesy visual report between the two passing trains. Easier at night time looking for any sparks

 

[Mojaveflyer]

In the west, both UP and BNSF use detectors that will not announce unless a defect is detected or some will announce their location by mile post as the head end of a train goes by and give number of axles and sometimes temperature in the end announcement. West of Denver, on the former Rio Grande main now owned by the UP, they have slide fence detectors. In the early 1980s the Rio Grande had a disasterous derailment where a tran hit a large rock that fell on the track and derailed the head end of the train. The derailment killed two railroaders. After that the Rio Grande installed more slide detectors along some of the mountain sides where slides were possible.