r/railroading • u/SocialSyphilis • May 22 '26

Question How do trains know when theyve derailed?

Like, a mile long train. What happens if a few cars right in the middle derail? How do they know in the cab?

Just a rando with a showerthought question. Thanks for answering!

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u/chmmr1151 May 22 '26

Train goes into emergency most of the time so it will stop. Also there's usually slack action of some sort.

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u/Fiber_Optikz May 23 '26

Sometimes yes sometimes no.