Measuring and process technology solutions provider, Schenck Process, has announced that its railcar weighing system has achieved legal-for-trade status in North America. The certification process is now complete and NTEP Certificate number 14-067 was issued to Schenck Process on 23 July 2014 for its LegalWeight in motion train scale.
Schenck Process LegalWeight is a dynamic weighing system designed for the weighing of railcars in motion. The design utilises instrumented concrete weighing ties equipped with high precision load cells that accurately measure vertical force. Installation of the weighing system is done without a pit and is mounted directly on top of the ballast reducing overall installation time to two days or less for most applications.
The LegalWeight weighing system is integrated into the existing rail without any gaps or joins in the rail. With installation of the ties taking hours, track downtime is greatly reduced compared to older designed pit type scales. LegalWeight can operate legal-for-trade at industry leading weighing speeds up to 14 mph. When trains are not being weighed they can travel at the typical line speed for the track.
A weighing range of over 300 000 lbs per car is possible and measured with the use of weighing electronics and customised PC systems. The electronics can withstand temperatures of -22° to 122 °F and offer lightning and over voltage protection making the newly approved legal-for-trade railcar weighing system ideal for use in harsh environments.
Adapted from press release by Louise Fordham