WHAT IS A GEOMETRY TRAIN

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:03):
Fannastics and business. Weird Scientist.

Speaker 2 (00:10):
Welcome to the Weird Science Facts Podcast. We provide a
five minute or less daily podcast on weird science, debunking
myths and old sayings. So joined doctor Carlos in this
daily diet of fund.

Speaker 3 (00:26):
You ever heard of the geometry car? Well, it's a
automated track inspection vehicle on the rail transport system used
to test several parameters of the track geometry without obstructing
normal railroad operations. Some of the parameters involved include position, curvature,
alignment of the track, smoothness, and the cross level of
the two rails. The car uses a variety of sensors,

(00:47):
measuring systems, and data management systems to create a profile
of the track being inspected. The track geometry cars emerged
in the nineteen twenties when rail traffic became sufficiently dense
and manual and visual inspections were no longer practical. Furthermore,
the increase operating speeds of the trains themselves required more

(01:07):
meticulously maintained tracks. In nineteen twenty five, the Chamende Foudeu
put a track geometry car into operation carrying inn accellograph
developed by Emil Hallad. The inventure of the Halad method.
The acceleograph could record horizontal vertical movement as well as role.
It was fitted with a manual button to record milestones
and stations in the record. Such car was developed, driven

(01:31):
by a company called Geismar Group. By nineteen twenty seven
and Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad had a track car
in operation, followed by the Estrada de Ferro Central de
Brazil in nineteen twenty nine. The first track geometry car
in Germany appeared in nineteen twenty nine. So again, the
geometry track or tra geometry trains travel along subway lines,

(01:58):
taking measurements to see if any of the rails are
out of alignment. That's it for now.