Through wayside detector technologies, ongoing preventative maintenance and community partnerships, we focus on safe train operations along our network in Canada and the U.S. These preventative and proactive measures keep trains on the track and safely reaching their destinations.
CN has an extensive wayside detection network, utilizing over 24 million data points per day across 2,800+ detectors to monitor locomotive and railcar mechanical health. These detection technologies and algorithms generate alarms and notifications, allowing us to proactively detect real-time issues on active trains to enable preventative action and increase safety.
Multiple layers of technology and lines of defense help prevent incidents, and new technologies provide early identification of difficult-to-visually inspect components. CN is committed to continuously improving our approach and technologies.
CN works with communities and first responders, proactively sharing information about our safety programs and response protocols. This includes providing training for first responders.
CN encourages first responders to register for access to the AskRail® app.
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Hot Bearing Detectors located on the side of railway tracks monitor the wheel bearing temperature on passing rolling stock. Real-time alarms directly notify the train crew via radio and the Mechanical Desk in CN’s dispatch center. The train is stopped and bearing inspected. Cars found with hot bearings are set out at the first available opportunity to safely do so.
Identification of Trending Bearings
The Mechanical Desk in CN’s dispatch center is staffed 24/7 and receives alerts of warm bearings to identify trending bearings and conduct real-time temperature monitoring.
Hot Wheel Detectors use an infrared scanner looking for heat in the wheel. Real-time alarms directly notify the train crew via radio, if there is an issue. These are installed in conjunction with Hot Bearing Detectors.
Dragging Equipment Detectors are used to identify low-hanging hazards on the undercarriage. These detectors can be standalone or added to Hot Bearing Detector sites.
Wheel Profile Detectors create an image of the wheel profile to detect abnormalities in the wheel profile.
Wheel Impact Load Detectors measure for irregular forces on the rail to identify flat/broken wheels and shifted loads.
Proactive automated bearing algorithms track outlier wheel bearings with unusual heat readings within the same car and same train. This provides another early detection system and allows for preventative maintenance.
Acoustic Bearing Detectors assess wheel bearing sound signatures to identify compromised components well in advance of a heat-generating failure. The system is designed to monitor roller bearings and identify those with internal defects in freight and passenger cars as they pass at nominal operating speed. They can help find roller bearing flaws early, before the bearings overheat.