What do Barcodes and Railroads have in common?

[Tom Macrery]

I just learned on the 702, 3-2-1 quiz that the very first use of Barcodes was for the identification and tracking of railroad cars in the States in the 60's. After extensive trials, the system finally failed and was abandoned in the 70's. Read about it at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcode.

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

Ah. After reading your question I was about to say they both have tracks and go off the rails.....

I must admit I have not heard of them in the context you mention. Must check my references at home!

[John Ashworth]

I thought I heard somewhere that bar codes were being brought in by TFR?

[Steve Appleton]

When I attended a computer society presentation on the subject of SAR's then new rolling stock tracking system many, many years ago, SAR was capturing wagon and train numbers by hand at each major depot and yard and then keying them into the computer system for tracking. This was novel and "bleeding" edge at the time. I recall being told that SAR was indeed considering the use of barcodes, like the US, but were very wary of the problems. So far as I know, the barcoding of wagons was ultimately never implemented in SA.
Today most, if not all, wagons are fitted with much more reliable RFID modules. These are rivetted onto the frame of the wagon, one on each side.