Integrity Failure

I noticed a few times while traveling over the UP, the detectors reported integrity failure. What does this mean? I don't think it was bad because we never slowed down or anything. Did they just not get a good read on the train?

Integrity failure is an automated response indicating the detector is no operaing properly. When this message is heard it should be reported to the dispacther by the train. After that initial report following trains should not have to report it if a bulletin has been issued by the dispatcher indicating the status of the detector.

That's what I thought. Thank you.

any time, es no problemo!

LOL, CSX detectors say "detector not working". They are suppose to repeat the message twice. If you only hear that message once. We are required to stop and inspect the entire train.

roadster wrote:LOL, CSX detectors say "detector not working". They are suppose to repeat the message twice. If you only hear that message once. We are required to stop and inspect the entire train.

Had that happen twice this weekend on the B&A with detour trains......seemed to happen because low speed, due to track circuits went over at Restricted Speed and got one message. Third day same cicuit, but cab signals stayed up long enough to get some speed past the detector....sure enough, good results from detector.

SnoozerZ49 wrote:Integrity failure is an automated response indicating the detector is no operaing properly. When this message is heard it should be reported to the dispacther by the train. After that initial report following trains should not have to report it if a bulletin has been issued by the dispatcher indicating the status of the detector.

Unless a bulletin has been issued stating the detector is out of service, every train that receives one must attempt to contact the dispatcher. A train that stops on, or where the speed drops below 10 mph may receive an integrity failure and the next one won't. One train receiving the failure means it failed for that train, not necessarily failed completely.

What you do depends on the type of detector and what type of train. Generally speaking, a freight train receiving an integrity failure, but no defect tone, may proceed, not exceeding 30mph to the next detector (within a specified distance) that checks for the same defects. If the train is inspected by crewmen on the ground (not exceeding 10mph during the inspection) and nothing found, it may then proceed at normal speed. Two consecutive failures, or one with a defect tone requires the train to be stopped and inspected on both sides. Multiple defect tones tends to also result in an integrity failure.

(Last winter during the severe winter weather, we were issued that non-key trains didn't have to stop and inspect after consecutive failures unless a defect tone was given. The weather was affecting the detector's operation. Key trains had to act normally. One conductor on a loaded ethanol train had to walk his train 5 times in blizzard conditions.)

Key trains (certain amount or type of hazardous materials) must stop and inspect on the first failure.

Check your local rules and instructions for more precise info, but that's the basics.

JLH

Each RR has some of their own language and definitions for the same basic issue. As well each RR also has their own set of rules and proceedures for how to deal with each issue, and may vary some what between different RR's.