How many hot box tags and tempilstiks are required at the beginning of a trip?

The requirement for 6 hot boxes and 1 tempilstik at the beginning of a trip is established to ensure proper monitoring and management of equipment. Hot box tags are essential for identifying and monitoring potential overheating issues in the wheel bearings of train cars. Having a sufficient number of hot box tags at the start of a journey allows crews to address any heat-related concerns effectively during their travels, thus enhancing safety and operational efficiency.

The use of only 1 tempilstik complements the hot box tags by providing a reliable method for monitoring temperature. Tempilstiks are critical in verifying if any bearings are approaching critical temperature thresholds, enabling proactive measures before any issues escalate. The balance between the number of hot boxes and tempilstiks is designed to facilitate comprehensive inspections while ensuring practical management of equipment resources throughout the trip.