Patent ID: 8222893

Claim:
A method for inspecting a track during intervals between trains, the track having a first rail and a second rail, the method comprising the steps of: viewing the track to locate areas of concern in which an anomaly may be present; measuring the area of concern to determine if the anomaly is present, comprising the steps of: magnetically attaching a first mounting device to a gauge side or a field side of a first rail of the track; deploying a measuring line attached to the mounting device an appropriate distance to measure the anomaly; defining a defined point on the measuring line; measuring a first distance between the defined point on the measuring line and the first rail or the second rail; whereby the first mounting device is magnetically attached to the gauge side or the field side of the first rail of the track to permit the first mounting device to be slid toward a bed of the track when engaged by wheels of a respective train as the train passes over the first mounting device which allows for the method to be used in corridors where train traffic is heavy.