ULTRASONIC CAR WORKS AT 25 MPH

British Rail's detector car uses ultrasonic methods to detect and record hidden rail flaws while running at speeds up to 25 mph. The train can test up to 100 miles a shift--means that entire main routes can be ultrasonically tested in a matter of a few days. The train's rail scanning probes are carried on a trolley mounted between the running wheels of the equipment car. For scanning the rails the trolley is lowered to run on its own wheels, allowing the probes to slide along the surface of the running rails on a thin film of water. Using the principle of reflection of high frequency sound, the probes inspect the running rails for minute cracks and internal flaws Signals from the probes are relayed to monitoring devices on the train and then recorded on film. At the end of each day's testing, the film is sent to an evaluation center near Paddington station, London, where a team of evaluators examines it and reports any signals that indicate a possible rail deflect.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07362064
• Corporate Authors:

  Watson Publications

  5 South Wabash Avenue
  Chicago, IL  United States  60603
• Publication Date: 1971-7

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 48
• Serial:
  • Modern Railroads
  • Publisher: K-III Press, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 0736-2064

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cracking; Defects; Inspection; Inspection cars; Maintenance of way; Nondestructive tests; Railroad rails; Railroad tracks; Technology; Ultrasonic tests; Vehicle design
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Old TRIS Terms: Fissures (Rails); Track maintenance equipment
• Subject Areas: Design; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00037415
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 24 1976 12:00AM