Two techniques were evaluated in this study for their ability to detect stress distributions along a particular rail. Previous efforts identified this rail as having apronounced longitudinal stress gradient. The instruments used to inspect for these stress
characteristics were: an ultrasonic-based device developed by the Polish Academy of Sciences and marketed commercially as the Debro-30 Ultrasonic Stress Meter, and a devicedeveloped by the Center for NDE at Iowa State University that performs magnetic hysteresis tests, known as the Magnescope.