Wayside railway sensor package and method for application

A railway rail comprising:

• a web portion;
• and
• a first sensor package, the sensor package having:
• a barrel housing one or more sensors;
• the barrel housing further comprising a plurality of sensor cavities;
• the barrel housing further comprising a generally ‘H’-shaped longitudinal cross-section;
• a membrane, formed as a single part with the barrel;
• and
• a strain sensor configured to detect the presence and magnitude of a load on the rail.

A system for monitoring train travel over a railway rail comprising:

• a railway rail comprising:
• a web portion;
• and
• a first sensor package, the sensor package having:
• a barrel housing one or more sensors;
• the barrel housing further comprising a plurality of sensor cavities;
• the barrel housing further comprising a generally ‘H’-shaped longitudinal cross-section;
• a membrane, formed as a single part with the barrel;
• and
• a strain sensor configured to detect the presence and magnitude of a load on the rail;
• a computer in communication with the first sensor over a network;
• and
• a processor configured to used data communicated from the sensor to determine a condition.