Southbound train arriving at the FM2818 road crossing and sensor station
The Site
FM 2818 is a major artery around the Bryan - College Station area and is a primary
route for responders from College Station Fire Dept Station 4. FM 2818 is a point
where train speeds are quite variable. Southbound trains are accelerating as
they leave College Station while inbound (northbound) trains are slowing as they
enter the more populated area of College Station. Northbound trains pass a railroad signal at this point that conveys to the train crew what conditions are head of them. The train may scoot straight through town or be required to pull into Bryan siding and wait for an opposing train.
Equipment
BASIC Tiger computer, data radio and
assorted equipment at the FM2818 sensor site
Rail detection station located at FM 2818 - grade crossing is just to the left
The FM 2818 site is different than the other sites in that it is solar powered.
Two solar panels feed a pair of solar service deep cycle batteries.
Train speed is measured using a Microwave Sensors TC26-S doppler radar mounted on
a pole off railroad right-of-way. As with the other rail detection sites, the
heart of the FM 2818 site is a Wilke Technology BASIC Tiger. The Tiger accepts
the serial speed data, controls the direction sense of the TC26-S, manages the
olar system and interfaces with the data radio. The control computer (Tiger)
monitors the battery voltage, energy coming from the solar panels and energy being
spent by the site. This enables the computer to act like a watchdog to alert the
central rail monitoring system of an impending power outage at the site.
FM 2818 sensor site with TC26-S on left,
solar panel above
