Model Railroader Magazine is starting a new series in January about building a small HO layout based on the prototype coal hauling Virgina RR. In the introductory video on-line was a fold-up section that had a very interesting digital display on it. It turns out that it is an operating digital weigh scale called WeighScale. It uses a Walther's scale house on the top of the layout with a gauntlet track and infrared light. The display is available in either a digital or meter version. Installation seems rather simple and straightforward with the hardest part building the gauntlet track. The retail price is $89.95 or about the same cost as a sound decoder. Here is the link: http://bouldercreekengineering.com/weighstation.php With my modest railroad producing grain, cement, and limestone shipments, this will be a must have addition.
A local OKT modeler, Kevin Leyerle, uses the Boulder Creek Engineering WeighStation on his layout. Everyone who has operated on that portion of his layout likes the functionality.
OK .. I guess that I am really dumb when I look at this. How does the scale know it is only weighing the one car when parts of three cars are on the tracks? Inquiring minds want to know!
I'd think the "switch crew" (Proto or modeling) would have to see that the car was properly placed. Tom G.
Most modern weigh in motion scales are set up to weigh only one set of trucks. Early versions, you had to place the car on the scale by it's self and cut the engine away. bill Jackson
