The Model 1210 Railcar Identification System is controlled by a Motorola Microcomputer with the processing speed and capability to provide real-time railcar identification. Data is acquired from the track side sensors and processed as the events occur. The Model 1210 is built into a Nema 12 industrial dust-tight cabinet allowing use in harsh environments. Complete diagnostics are available locally through an RS-232 port or, as an option, remotely via phone modem.

Tag readers are placed on both sides of the track to read tags from the left and right side of each car. Reading both tags provides the most reliable data and will allow higher identification rates of cars with missing or damaged tags. In 1995, railcar owners finished a three year program to tag all North American railcars. With the vast majority of cars tagged, the identification rate in most applications will exceed 99 percent.

A PC computer can be used to view and adjust the operating parameters of the system. Standard data output includes selectable diagnostics, real-time identification, Clean Net List, and T94 encoding. Data handshaking for modems and mainframe computers are standard.

Non-contacting wheel sensors are mounted to the rail to determine the presence of the train and the type of cars passing the site. Railcars are tracked by their wheel patterns as well as their tags to provide the best overall performance and reliability. The basic Model 1210 system includes rollback sensing for trains that stop and back up during spotting.