A camera for other applications has a frame rate that provides a known and= =20 accurate time base. So measuring distance traveled between successive frame= s=20 is accurate or even counting the frames in which the target appears. Would a IR detector, in a tube to limit it angle of view, detect each hot=20 wheel as it passed? Or a photo transistor in a similar tube, detect the am= =20 binate light from the other side of the tunnel with the wheels interrupting= ? One thing no one has mentioned is that the engine has a large electric=20 source of electro magnetic stuff coming from it. As well as the "third rail= "=20 pickup. This may be a way to detect passage or might just gum up things lik= e=20 Pookie eating peanut butter. Bill --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .