1. In a train detection system for sections of track each defined by at least two detection points each of which is formed by at least two axle detectors staggered one relative to the other, arranged along the rails of the track and providing axle-presence signals: a central evaluation unit which indicates a particular track section as being occupied or unoccupied depending upon the number of axles counted at the associated detection points as axles entering the track section and as axles leaving the track section, a preprocessing unit provided in the immediate vicinity of each detection point and associated therewith, each preprocessing unit containing processing means for separate processing of the axle detector signals only from the associated detection point and accumulating a separate multi-bit count which is incremented each time an axle is detected as having passed the associated detection point in a first direction and which is decremented each time an axle is detected as having passed said associated detection point in a second direction, as well as a data transmitter-receiver for call-controlled transfer of the accumulated multi-bit count to the central evaluation unit, and call-up means associated with said central evaluation unit for cyclically calling up the counts stored by each of the preprocessing units.