One of the more interesting things I’ve discovered about railroads is their defect detectors; small little trackside sensors that look for problems on passing trains. In many cases, the reports are audibly broadcast over the standard railroad frequencies. Each railroad seems to have their own unique style of reporting these, and it sometimes varies by location as well. Here’s a few I’ve been able to transcribe:
CN detector
Mile 3 3 5 . 2 7
West bound
No defects
Length of train 4 9 8 8
Temperature 4 8 F
Total axles 3 5 2
Speed 3 1
Have a safe day
Detector out
BNSF detector
Mile post 1 8 2 . 3
Main one
No defects
Repeat
No defects
Total axle 2 5 0
Out
CP detector
Mile 4 6 . 3
Marquette
3 8 degrees
Axle 4 7 0
No alarms
Length 7 6 1 2
Mile 4 6 . 3 Out