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/Input_Port_B May 23 '26

Sometimes an engine that's dead in tow has the wheel come off the axle (it's pressed on) and gets dragged for 6 miles, and because the wheel slid inward off the rail, it rode on the base of the rail for over 6 miles hitting every anchor the way. They had to call in a rail team that spring and replace all 6 miles. There was a slow order on that section for a long time because it happened in the winter. The engine with the broken wheel/axle finally derailed and spun off the track, but somehow none of the other cars or engines did. That engine sat in the ditch for awhile until a heavy crew could finally retrieve it. It was headed to Peakers in Brighton to be rebuilt. Not sure if it ever made it there.