Hot axle box detectors (HABDs) and wheel impact load detectors (WILDs)

A (one day) comprehensive listing

Last update 14 October 2025

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Sometimes, a train's axle bearings overheat. This can cause serious damage; in an extreme case a wheel can seize and cause a derailment. At strategic points on the network, hot axle box detectors (HABDs), also known as hot axle bearing detectors, are placed to detect overheating. HABDs are usually placed a few miles before suitable sidings/loops such that if a fault is detected the signaller can route the train out of the way whilst inspection and repair can take place. Detectors usually take the form of four yellow boxes, one either side of each rail.

Other easily-detectable faults are flat points on wheels. As the wheel turns so the flat spot causes a 'hammer blow' to the track and this is detectable by wheel impact load detectors (WILDs), also known as 'Gotcha', 'Wheelchex' (after their proprietary names) or vehicle health monitoring equipment (VHME). The equipment minimises the possibility of track damage. Again these are placed shortly before a suitable place to take the train out of service as required.

These lists show HABDs and WILDs as at 2015 and subsequent developments, with additional research for earlier activity, sorted by ELR and mileage. Names are official where known or a suitable identifying place where they aren't. Items not in current use are shown with a strikethrough, thus.

Hot axle box detectors (HABDs)

ELR HABD Name Mileage Tracks Notes
BAG2 Spetchley 65m 17ch down main
BAG2 Eckington 74m 51ch up main installed 29 September 1997, later moved to 74m 46ch
BAG2 Eckington 74m 46ch up main previously at 74m 51ch
BAG2 Ashchurch 79m 40ch up main removed 29 September 1997
BAG2 Churchdown 89m 00ch down main present in 1969, later moved to 89m 00ch
BAG2 Churchdown 89m 06ch down main previously at 89m 00ch
BGK Newport 39m 48ch up main
BGK Shepreth 53m 10ch down main moved to 53m 33ch 29 May 2025 delayed from 17 February 2025
BGK Shepreth 53m 33ch down main previously at 53m 10ch to 29 May 2025 delayed from 17 February 2025
BGL2 Brookthorpe 97m 50ch up Charfield present in 1969, later moved to 97m 58ch
BGL2 Brookthorpe 97m 58ch up Charfield previously at 97m 50ch in 1969
BHL Colthrop 48m 44ch down Westbury up Westbury later moved to 48m 66ch later moved to 48m 66ch
BHL Colthrop 48m 66ch down Westbury up Westbury previously at 48m 44ch previously at 48m 44ch
BHL Kintbury 58m 00ch up Westbury moved to 58m 32ch 1 September 2018
BHL Kintbury 58m 32ch up Westbury previously at 58m 00ch to 1 September 2018
BHL Pewsey 75m 26ch down Westbury later moved to 75m 60ch
BHL Pewsey 75m 60ch down Westbury previously at 75m 26ch
BRY Dinas Powys 5m 22ch down Barry later moved to 4m 31ch from 30 June 2014
BRY Dinas Powys 4m 31ch down Barry previously at 5m 22ch to 30 June 2014
BRY Dinas Powys 5m 22ch up Barry installed 30 June 2014
BSW Filton Junction 4m 75ch up Bristol
BSW Pilning 9m 08ch up tunnel
CBC3 Low Mill 24m 33ch down main originally shown as 24m 27ch; moved or erroneous original?
CCL Keinton Mandeville 120m 06ch up
CGJ1 Winsford 166m 38ch up main
CGJ2 Norton 176m 39ch down main
CGJ5 Coppull Hall 10m 60ch down main up main
CGJ7 Hest Bank 2m 51ch down main
CGJ7 Bolton-le-Sands 5m 08ch up main
CGJ7 Low Gill 27m 06ch down main from 15 April 1973
CGJ7 Harrison's Siding 41m 73ch up main from 18 March 1973
CGJ7 Southwaite 62m 06ch down main from 18 February 1973
CHR Barrow Hill 146m 69ch down Barrow Hill
CHR Renishaw Park 152m 43ch up main from 17 July 2023
CHR Renishaw Park 152m 47ch up main moved to 152m 43ch from 17 July 2023
CMD1 Harecastle 10m 58ch up main later moved to 14m 09ch
CMD1 Harecastle 14m 09ch up main previously at 10m 58ch
CMD2 Barlaston 24m 47ch down main later moved to 24m 39ch
CMD2 Barlaston 24m 39ch down main previously at 24m 47ch
CMP1 Holmes Chapel 166m 51ch down Wilmslow
CMP1 Wilmslow 176m 34ch up Wilmslow
DAC Newton St Cyres 176m 60ch Single
DBP1 Branston 13m 44ch up Tamworth
DBP1 Willington 6m 01ch down Tamworth
DBP1 Tamworth 22m 30ch down main possibly previously at 22m 40ch
DBP3 Whitacre 31m 69ch down slow never installed?
DCL Radley 58m 58ch up main present in 1969, later moved to 60m 00ch
DCL Radley 60m 00ch up main previously at 58m 58ch in 1969
DCL Cropredy 89m 79ch down main
DOL1 Castle Mills 158m 60ch up
DOW Thorne South 9m 41ch down main later moved to 10m 12ch
DOW Thorne South 10m 12ch down main previously at 9m 41ch
DOW Keadby 17m 06ch up main
ECA2 Auchengray 79m 35ch up
ECM1 Langley 26m 62ch down fast down slow
ECM1 Wymondley 29m 70ch up fast up slow later moved to 30m 60ch later moved to 30m 60ch
ECM1 Wymondley 30m 60ch up fast up slow previously at 29m 70ch previously at 29m 70ch
ECM1 Biggleswade 42m 10ch up fast up slow
ECM1 Offord 54m 07ch down fast up fast
ECM1 Abbots Ripton 64m 25ch up fast moved to 64m 61ch by 2018
ECM1 Abbots Ripton 64m 61ch up fast previously at 64m 25ch
ECM1 Holme 69m 28ch down fast
ECM1 Lolham 83m 33ch up fast up slow
ECM1 Stoke 99m 78ch down fast
ECM1 Barkston 109m 56ch up main
ECM1 Balderton 116m 70ch down main
ECM1 Cromwell 124m 55ch up main
ECM1 Gamston (Askam/Tuxford) 134m 37ch down main
ECM1 Torworth 143m 17ch up main
ECM1 Bawtry 148m 55ch down main
ECM1 Daw Lane 159m 10ch up main
ECM4 Earfit Lane (Colton North) 184m 04ch down Leeds down main
ECM5 Sessay 16m 65ch down fast down slow up fast up slow
ECM5 Danby Wiske 33m 50ch up main
ECM5 Eryholme (East Cowton) 38m 72ch down main
ECM5 Aycliffe 49m 36ch down main
ECM5 Littleburn (Durham) 63m 59ch up fast
ECM5 Plawsworth (Chester-le-Street) 70m 20ch down main
ECM7 Dam Dykes 8m 45ch down main up main down main removed 11 September 2017
ECM7 Longhirst 20m 20ch down main from 11 September 2017
ECM7 Chevington 25m 48ch up main
ECM7 Stamford 40m 38ch down main removed 14 September 2017
ECM7 Stamford 40m 38ch up main from 14 September 2017
ECM7 Newham 47m 08ch up main removed 14 September 2017; replaced 8 February 2018
ECM7 Goswick 60m 66ch down main
ECM8 Stenton 25m 48ch up later moved to 24m 20ch
ECM8 Stenton 24m 20ch up previously at 25m 48ch
ECM8 Oxwellmains 32m 65ch down
ECM8 Lamberton (Tweedmouth) 54m 06ch up main
ECN2 Aberdour 16m 31ch up Fife circle
EMP Second Drove 75m 58ch up Peterborough
EMP Kings Dyke 96m 71ch down March from 14 November 2010
GSM1 Geddington (Corby) 77m 08ch up and down Corby
HNL1 Tram Inn 5m 37ch up main
HNL1 Nantyderry 28m 75ch down main up main
HNR Roade 59m 72ch down Northampton
HNR Althorp Park 72m 04ch up Northampton
HUL1 Melton Lane 8m 39ch down Hull from 26 November 2018
HUL1 Hemingborough (Cliffe) 28m 00ch up Hull
HUL3 Harrymore Lane 2m 78ch down Hull
HUL4 Barrowby Lane (Garforth) 13m 74ch up Hull
KMG2 Floriston 7m 45ch up arrival removed by January 2026
KMG2 Mossband ≈8m 45ch up arrival installed January 2026
KWS Post Office Lane 62m 16ch down Doncaster
LEC1 Northchurch 30m 07ch up fast up slow
LEC1 Soulbury Road 42m 10ch down slow removed by September 2017
LEC1 Soulbury Road 42m 74ch down fast removed by September 2017
LEC1 Soulbury Road 42m 68ch down fast down slow from 7 October 2017
LEC1 Wolverton c50m 43ch up slow up fast installed by 1969
LEC1 Castlethorpe North 55m 63ch up slow up fast
LEC1 Kilsby North 78m 66ch down main later moved to 79m 01ch
LEC1 Kilsby North 79m 01ch down main previously at 78m 66ch
LEC2 Shilton 91m 26ch up Trent Valley fast up Trent Valley slow
LEC2 Shilton 91m 30ch down Trent Valley
LEC2 Armitage 121m 20ch up Trent Valley fast up Trent Valley slow
LEC2 Milford and Brocton 129m 29ch down main
LEC4 Shallowford 138m 30ch up fast up slow shown at 138m 62ch by May 2019
LEC4 Madeley 149m 74ch down fast down slow
LEN3 Long Lane (Low Gates) 46m 32ch up later moved to 45m 65ch
LEN3 Long Lane (Low Gates) 45m 65ch up previously at 46m 32ch, moved to 46m 32ch by 14 October 2017
LEN3 Long Lane (Low Gates) 46m 32ch up previously at 45m 65ch, returned to this position by 14 October 2017
LEN3 Stockton 61m 00ch down Sunderland up Sunderland installed January 2025, brought into use 27 July 2025 installed January 2025, brought into use 27 July 2025 both briefly listed as 60m 00ch in error
LEN3 Stockton 61m 02ch down Sunderland up Sunderland never brought into use delayed from 10 February 2021 never brought into use delayed from 10 February 2021
LEN3 Easington 80m 15ch down Sunderland up Sunderland from 15 November 2010 from 15 November 2010
LTN1 Brentwood 17m 01ch down electric down main previously at 17m 33ch previously at 17m 33ch
LTN1 Brentwood 17m 33ch down electric down main moved to 17m 01ch by 2011; higher mileage reported in error? moved to 17m 01ch by 2011; higher mileage reported in error?
LTN1 Margaretting 25m 41ch up main moved to 25m 78ch after 2011
LTN1 Margaretting 25m 78ch up main previously at 25m 41ch
MAC3 Manton Wood 60m 41ch up main moved to 60m 60ch by 2014
MAC3 Manton Wood 60m 60ch up main previously at 60m 41ch
MLN1 Maidenhead 24m 03ch up relief from 8 September 2016, brought into use 10 April 2017
MLN1 Maidenhead 24m 10ch up relief moved to 24m 03ch from 8 September 2016, also present in 1969
MLN1 Maidenhead 24m 10ch up main also present in 1969
MLN1 Twyford 32m 02ch down main down relief also present in 1969 also present in 1969
MLN1 Basildon 43m 15ch up main up relief present in 1969, later moved to 43m 42ch present in 1969, later moved to 43m 42ch
MLN1 Basildon 43m 42ch up main up relief previously at 43m 15ch previously at 43m 15ch
MLN1 Basildon 43m 42ch down relief down main previously at 48m 48ch; disconnected 10 December 2016 previously at 48m 48ch
MLN1 Basildon 48m 48ch down relief down main present in 1969, later moved to 43m 42ch present in 1969, later moved to 43m 42ch
MLN1 Wantage Road 59m 57ch up main previously at 61m 12ch in 1969
MLN1 Wantage Road 61m 12ch up main present in 1969, later moved to 59m 57ch
MLN1 Bourton 72m 20ch down main previously at 72m 65ch in 1969
MLN1 Bourton 72m 65ch down main present in 1969, later moved to 72m 20ch
MLN1 Studley (Wootton Bassett) 81m 14ch up main present in 1969, later moved to 81m 40ch
MLN1 Studley (Wootton Bassett) 81m 33ch up main previously at 81m 40ch to 29 June 2019
MLN1 Studley (Wootton Bassett) 81m 40ch up main previously at 81m 14ch in 1969, moved to 81m 33ch from 29 June 2019
MLN1 Twerton 108m 19ch down main previously at 108m 60ch
MLN1 Twerton 108m 60ch down main moved to 108m 19ch by April 2018
MLN1 Nailsea 127m 41ch up main
MLN1 Yatton 131m 20ch down main
MLN1 Cogload 158m 43ch down main present in 1969, later moved to 158m 70ch
MLN1 Cogload 158m 70ch down main previously at 158m 43ch in 1969
MLN1 Nynehead 168m 59ch up main
MLN1 Stoke Canon 188m 56ch down main
MLN1 Exminster 198m 70ch up main
MLN1 Dainton tunnel 217m 55ch up main previously at 217m 57ch to 26 June 2021
MLN1 Dainton tunnel 217m 57ch down main up main down main later moved to 217m 76ch up main moved to 217m 55ch 26 June 2021
MLN1 Dainton tunnel 217m 76ch down main previously at 217m 57ch
MLN2 Keyham 248m 77ch up main
MLN3 Treverrin 279m 59ch down main up main
MVL3 Mossley 10m 53ch down Huddersfield brought into use 29 September 2025
MVL3 Crimble 21m 54ch up Huddersfield brought into use 29 September 2025
MVL3 Heaton Lodge 29m 47ch up Huddersfield brought into use 20 January 2018
MVN2 Mytholmroyd 25m 00ch 25m 71ch down L&Y up L&Y brought into use 23 October 2018 brought into use 23 October 2018
NBS Searchlight Lane 3m 72ch up Norton Bridge on 2016 NBS line diversion
NEC2 Wetherall 56m 73ch down Newcastle
NOB1 Netherfield 2m 26ch up Newark
NOB1 Langford 20m 24ch up Lincoln
NOC Church Fenton 11m 08ch up Normanton
NOG1 Allington 108m 64ch up Nottingham
NWO Arley 5m 60ch down Arley
PED5 Warmsworth (Conisbrough) 19m 28ch up Sheffield
PMJ Bainton Green 15m 33ch up Stamford
RBS1 Brandon 89m 05ch down Coventry
RBS1 Bradnocks Marsh 101m 14ch up main
RBS3 Penkridge 24m 01ch down main
RBS3 Penkridge 25m 20ch up main
SAL Warminster 113m 73ch up Salisbury
SHL Marsh Farm 14m 33ch down main
SHL Ludlow 26m 64ch up main
SHL Wellington 45m 32ch down main
SKN Lifford East 46m 00ch up Camp Hill
SKW1 Gargrave 226m 59ch up main
SMJ2 Hickleton 15m 12ch down Pontefract
SMJ2 Baghill 6m 70ch up Pontefract
SPC1 Napsbury 18m 00ch up fast up slow
SPC1 Chiltern Green 27m 57ch down slow previously at 27m 69ch
SPC1 Chiltern Green 27m 69ch down fast down slow down slow moved to 27m 57ch by August 2020
SPC2 Oakley 53m 60ch up fast up slow
SPC3 Harrowden Junction (Finedon) 67m 36ch down fast up and down slow
SPC3 East Langton 86m 26ch down main up main
SPC5 Barrow-upon-Soar 108m 72ch down fast down slow
SPC5 Loughborough 111m 05ch up fast up slow
SPC8 Duffield 132m 63ch up main replaced by Belper 8 October 2018
SPC8 Belper 134m 68ch up main replaced Duffield from 8 October 2018
SPD1 Cheal Road 48m 32ch down Spalding
SPD2 Scopwick 70m 43ch up Spalding
SPD2 Blankney 73m 21ch down Spalding
SPD3 Sykes Lane 89m 17ch up Gainsborough replaced by Tinsley's from 3 November 2014
SPD3 Tinsley's 88m 58ch up Spalding replaced Sykes Lane 3 November 2014 (though still shown there in 2019)
SPD3 Gainsborough 98m 56ch down main
SPD4 Haxey 105m 59ch up
SPD4 Auckley 112m 73ch down main
SWB Chipping Sodbury 105m 63ch down Badminton up Badminton present in 1971 present in 1971
SWB Coalpit Heath 109m 27ch down Badminton up Badminton
SWM2 Over? 117m 20ch up present in 1969
SWM2 Bullo Pill 125m 59ch up main
SWM2 Caldicot (Portskewett) 145m 50ch down main
SWM2 Bishton 155m 07ch up main up relief
SWM2 Marshfield 163m 73ch down main down relief
SWM2 Pontsarn 175m 79ch up main later moved to at 178m 39ch
SWM2 Pontsarn 178m 39ch up main previously at 175m 79ch
SWM2 Pontsarn 178m 39ch down main
SWM2 Bryn-Y-Gwynon 185m 10ch up main never installed?
SWM2 Stormy 194m 72ch down main installed 21 January 2019 delayed from 2 December 2018
SWM2 Port Talbot West 203m 01ch down main removed 18 November 2018
SWM2 Briton Ferry 205m 36ch up main
SWM2 Pembrey 228m 59ch up main
SWY Urchfont 84m 28ch up Westbury installed ≈29 August 2020
TCC Langley Mill 129m 27ch up and down Erewash slow up Erewash fast
TCC Stoneyford 131m 19ch down main up slow never installed? never installed?
TJC1 Tapton 146m 69ch down goods no longer used?
TJC1 Dore 154m 72ch down Sheffield moved to 154m 79ch 26 June 2023
TJC1 Dore 154m 79ch down Sheffield previously at 154m 72ch to 26 June 2023
TJC3 Methley North 188m 34ch down Midland
TJC3 Calverley (Kirkstall Forge/Apperley) 201m 40ch up Leeds/up Shipley Main
TJC3 Kildwick 216m 50ch down Shipley main
TJG2 Thorne North 12m 32ch up main
TRL3 Wennington 29.723km down line
TRL3 Wennington 29.839km up line
WCM1 Floriston 6m 05ch up main removed by January 2026
WCM1 Mossband ≈7m 21ch up main installed January 2026
WCM1 Nethercleugh 28m 51ch up
WCM1 Wamphray 34m 42ch down
WCM1 Crawford 55m 76ch up
WCM1 Leggatfoot 70m 20ch down
WCM1 Braidwood 80m 57ch up
WEB Tinsley's 88m 58ch up Spalding
WEY Bruton (Upton Noble) 125m 69ch down main
WJL1 Sutton Weaver 177m 35ch down main
WNS Narborough 12m 17ch up Nuneaton
XTD Sevington 58m 42ch down main up main

Wheel impact load detectors (WILDs)

ELR WILD Name Mileage Tracks Notes
AYR3 Howwood 12m 77ch down Ayr up Ayr
BAG2 Eckington 75m 46ch down main up main
BML1 Queenstown Road (Battersea) 2m 44ch up main fast up main slow
BML1 Shawford 68m 56ch down up removed 20 March 2023 removed 20 March 2023
BML1 Shawford 68m 60ch down up brought into use 1 May 2023, delayed from 20 March 2023 brought into use delayed from 20 March 2023
CGJ3 Dallam 183m 40ch down fast down slow up fast up slow moved to 183m 68ch from 8 September 2018 moved to 183m 68ch from 8 September 2018 moved to 183m 68ch from 8 September 2018 moved to 183m 68ch from 8 September 2018
CGJ3 Dallam 183m 68ch down fast down slow up fast up slow from 8 September 2018 from 8 September 2018 from 8 September 2018 from 8 September 2018
CMP1 Heaton Chapel 184m 27ch down fast down slow up fast up slow
ECM1 Wymondley 30m 63ch up fast up slow from 8 September 2018 from 8 September 2018
ECM5 Sessay 16m 65ch down fast down slow up fast up slow from 8 September 2018 from 8 September 2018 from 8 September 2018 from 8 September 2018
ECM8 Innerwick 33m 62ch down Berwick up Berwick
EGM1 Philpstoun 32m 01ch down E & G up E & G
EMP Eastrea 93m 53ch down up moved to 93m 60ch from 29 July 2018 moved to 93m 60ch from 29 July 2018
EMP Eastrea 93m 60ch down up from 29 July 2018 from 29 July 2018
GSW New Cumnock 56m 70ch down main up main
HNL1 Tram Inn 2m 75ch down main up main from 23 April 2016 from 23 April 2016
HXS3 Ainsdale 14m 18ch down Southport
HXS3 Ainsdale 14m 03ch down Southport reported from 7 April 2018; moved or earlier incorrect information?
LEC1 Cheddington 34m 60ch down fast down slow up fast up slow
LTN1 Margaretting 24m 75ch down main up main moved to 24m 79ch from 29 July 2018 moved to 24m 79ch from 29 July 2018
LTN1 Ingatestone 24m 79ch down main up main from 29 July 2018 from 29 July 2018
MAC3 Croxton 97m 54ch down main from 26 January 2019
MAC3 Croxton 97m 57ch down main up main from 8 September 2018; removed 15 December 2018 from 8 September 2018; removed 15 December 2018
MAS Grindleford 159m 45ch down main up main moved to 159m 79ch from 1 September 2018 moved to 159m 79ch from 1 September 2018
MAS Grindleford 159m 79ch down main up main from 1 September 2018 from 1 September 2018
MLN1 Waltham 26m 21ch down main down relief up main up relief
MLN1 Cholsey 49m 05ch down main down relief up main up relief
MLN1 Exminster 198m 68ch down main up main
SHL Bromfield 25m 00ch down main up main removed 23 April 2016 removed 23 April 2016
SPC5 Thurmaston 101m 78ch down fast up & down slow up fast
SWB Alderton 98m 30ch down Badminton up Badminton
SWM2 Marshfield 163m 63ch down main down relief up main up relief moved to 163m 73ch by October 2024
SWM2 Marshfield 163m 73ch down main previously at 163m 63ch to October 2024
SWY Urchfont 84m 28ch up possibly moved from 84m 40ch; moved to 84m 32ch from 7 March 2020
SWY Urchfont 84m 32ch down up previously at 83m 28ch; from 7 March 2020
SWY Urchfont 84m 40ch up unclear if actually installed; later at 84m 28ch
TRL3 Thurrock 29.723km down CTRL
TRL3 Thurrock 29.739km up CTRL
TRL3 Nashenden 52.864km down CTRL
TRL3 Nashenden 52.995km up CTRL
TRL3 Charing 79.731km up CTRL
TRL3 Charing 79.822km down CTRL
TRL3 Ashford 92.771km down CTRL up CTRL
VIR Swanley 16m 08ch up fast up slow
VTB3 Salfords 23m 55ch unknown
WCM1 Braidwood 80m 58ch down main up main
XTD Sevington 58m 42ch down main up main