Mobile reflectoscopic inspection of railroad car axles on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway

IN 1952, The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Company experienced a severe economic loss because of a freight train wreck. Investigation disclosed the derailment was caused by a broken axle, the failure starting from a crack in the journal. As a result of this accident, a study was begun by the mechanical department to determine a reliable and economical nondestructive test of railway car axles in service.