Hi all, Does anyone happen to have a photo of a Frisco defect detector installation? I am trying to determine if the Frisco ever had any talking defect detectors, or if they all used visual means to indicate defects. Thanks, Paul
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, I used to listen a lot of railroad radio traffic on my scanner. Quite often an automated recoded message could be heard over the radio channels. The message usually concerned dragging equipment, axle counts, etc. The train crew would notify the dispatcher and stop the train to investigate if there was an issue, but I never know how those devices worked or where they were? Tom
Right, Tom. In today's world, defect detectors are quite common on the radio. They are a big help to railfans hunting trains. A timetable for the division will tell you where they are located. Before the talking detectors, lights were used to indicate to the crew if a defect was detected. I know the Frisco had defect detectors, at least in the late 1970s, but I don't know if they were radio equipped at that point in time. If they are still in place, they are radio equipped today. Paul
Thanks Terry. Did they play the noise only if there was a defect? I'm building a defect detector simulator circuit, and I would like to get it correct for the 1970s. Paul
Paul, I don't have anything to contribute in the way of information, other than to say I'm really intrigued by your project. I think this sounds like a great way to enhance model operations. It sounds like a good candidate for a write-up for a future edition of The Meteor. Good luck with getting the information you desire; I hope it works out. Best Regards,
What was the "noise" or "sound" that they made? Listening to railroad radio on a scanner, I only heard a voice recording that repeated. Tom
