ProTrak[TM]  
(for MS XP, 2000, ME, Win98, Win95, NT4.0)

Signaling and The Grapevine[TM]

The Signaling System you have been waiting for!

The Working Weighscale

  • Scale: HO, S, or O
  • Measure liveloads loaded during session
  • Reports in full-size lbs, or ozs - you choose
  • Measure car weights for correct TE and engine assignments
  • Get correct car weights for stringlining (train dynamics)
  • A fun gadget to run



  • Working Weighscale includes:
    • The weighing device (measuring platform)
    • Two line, backlit LCD that displays message and weights.
    • Two pushbuttons for controlling scale operation at weighscale
    • The Weighscale Grapevine node
    • LCD, pushbuttons and device are all pre-wired together
    • LCD and pushbuttons mount on fascia near Weighscale, up to 3 feet from weighing device
  • Device size: 7" long, by 1.2" wide by 1.5" deep.
  • Exterior of device is a plain sheet of polished aluminum wrapped over the top and sides of the device. Any track element can be glued to top.
    • On-scale track element can overhang ends of device platform.
    • Approach tracks can overhang device platform.
    • Can be used for weighscale platforms from ~40 to ~80 feet (in HO).
  • Weight measuring range (standard weighscale):
    • Maximum: 3.2 lbs
    • Minimum: 0.1 oz
    • Precision: 0.1 oz
    • Custom devices for heavier weights or longer platforms can be ordered.
  • Maximum weight that can run over scale: any reasonable weight (approx. 20 lbs).
    • You can drive your engines right over the weighscale without any chance of damaging it.
  • Maximum vertical deflection: 0.005"
    • Real tiny! No track alignment problems! Roll your cars/trains right over the weighscale without any chance of derailments.
  • Weighing modes:
    • Precision mode: reading reported in 4 seconds
    • Fast mode: reading reported in 1 second
    • Continuous mode
  • Operating modes:
    • Weigh from ProTrak main menu
      • Weigh from keyboard: used for getting initial model weight of car, or liveloads
      • Remote weigh: when weighscale is some distance from nearest keyboard
    • Weigh during Operations session
      • Weigh remotely: usual mode. Results displayed on local LCD, and automatically read to data files
      • Weigh from keyboard: new crew position for operating session: or can be used to relieve dispatcher's tedious boredom
    • Options for using weighscale during Operating session:
      • Get accurate weights of liveloads: updates car's total weight
      • Report results only in "fullsize" lbs, such as "215,200 lbs"
      • Optionally also report weight in oz (for liveloads to adjust car modelweight)
      • Optionally adjust/correct car modelweight
      • Optionally adjust/correct liveload waybill weight
    • What you need:
      • 1. A Working Weighscale
        • 2. A previously installed Grapevine network
        • Or...
          • 2a. Grapevine network RS232 to RS422 pc-board
          • 2b. Grapevine network terminator cable
          • 2c. A source of somewhat filtered 12 to 17 volts DC (a 12 volt transformer, rectified, and with a 2000uFd capacitor will do)
          • 2d. An available serial port on your computer
      • 3. ProTrak for Windows, Verison 1.1 or later
      • 4. A computer running MS Windows 98, or NT 4.0
    • Installation:
      1. Prepare a hole in roadbed length of device.
      2. Attach brass, or aluminum angle at each end of hole to adjacent roadbed
      3. Insert device.
      4. Prepare a hole in fascia for LCD/pushbutton panel.
      5. Mount panel.
      6. Plug in Grapevine cable.
      7. Attach ground and +9 to 17 volt power supply wires.
      8. Attach track segment to scale platform.
        In software:
      9. At Traffic, Special tracks, open scale track or define a new scale track
      10. Hit "OK" button and answer "Yes, this is working Weighscale".
    • Using Working Weighscale
      1. At Signals, select "Balance weighscale".
      2. Calibrate weighscale, or just hit "Balanced" button
      3. Select Weigh list of cars
        • Select cars to weigh
        • Select to
          • print Weighlist
          • weigh remotely
          • weigh from keyboard
      4. In Operations session, car requiring weighing are found for you - but you control this.
        • At Waybill, you selected whether the shipment would be scaled. Cars loaded with these shipments are identified and added to WeighList for each scale on your railroad.
        • If car is in same yard/switching zone as Working Weighscale, they are added automatically to that scale's WeighList.
        • Select "Weigh car" to weigh from keyboard.
        • Select "Watch cars being scaled" to observe waht scale is reporting to ProTrak.
        • Weighscaling is usually done localy at scale, and th on-sctreen form can be turned off.
    • The weighscale includes one Grapevine network node.
    • Price : $194.95 plus shipping. (Price includes $78.00 Grapevine node.)