The drive line (spindle) thrust bearing is typically located just before the drive motor(s) and inside the motor room which is a clean dry place (horray!), unless there is a gearbox which synchronizes the top and bottom roll speeds and is in the hot, oily, dirty, nasty and very wet area (boo!).
You did not say why you are measuring the thrust bearing, but these machines are typically low speed except for stand #7. This raises many more issues. Are you comparing stands? (different speeds, different products = hard to compare).
Are you interested in product quality? motor condition? gearbox condition?
If you are measuring a thrust bearing on the gearbox, then I would use stud mounted acceleometers on the bearings. If you are in the clean area, magnet mounts will be sufficient. If spindle thrust is a problem and you are more interested in the slow speed stands (#1 to 4), proximity sensors may be better.
I could be a little more helpful if you let me know what the measurements are for?
Chris. C. Hugh