Lateral rail measurement device

A lateral rail measurement device to measure a distance between two rails when a train is passing over the device, the device comprising:

• a control box configured to mount to a first rail, the control box comprising:
• a microprocessor that includes data storage configured to record and log data from the lateral rail measurement device, and
• a display configured to display a train speed, a train direction, a real-time rail displacement between the first rail and a second rail opposite the first rail, a maximum displacement between the first rail and the second rail, a minimum displacement between the first rail and the second rail, or combination thereof;
• and
• a measurement arm that extends from the control box to the second rail,
• wherein the microprocessor is connected to the measurement arm and, while a train is operating over the first rail and the second rail, the microprocessor is configured to measure:
• the real-time rail displacement between the first rail and the second rail,
• the maximum displacement between the first rail and the second rail, and
• the minimum displacement between the first rail and the second rail,
• wherein the measurement arm is spring-loaded within the control box and the measurement arm is configured to extend to the second rail.

An apparatus comprising:

• a rail measurement device configured to be positioned between a first rail and a second rail such that a first end of the rail measurement device is coupled to the first rail and a second end of the rail measurement device is coupled to the second rail;
• wherein the rail measurement device is further configured to:
• determine a minimum displacement between the first rail and the second rail while a train is in operation on the first and second rails;
• and
• provide an indication of the minimum displacement.

An apparatus comprising:

• a rail measurement device configured to be positioned between a first rail and a second rail such that a first end of the rail measurement device is coupled to the first rail and a second end of the rail measurement device is coupled to the second rail;
• wherein the rail measurement device further configured to:
• determine a minimum displacement between the first rail and the second rail;
• determine a maximum displacement between the first rail and the second rail;
• and
• provide an indication of the minimum displacement and the maximum displacement.