WEIGHT: A vehicle weighing track installed at Bombardier’s Derby plant by Avery Weigh-Tronix can measure rolling stock weight distribution to within 0·05%, thanks to rail transponders and a controlled environment where wind, rain and rough terrain cannot affect results.

The Weighline WI 1310 static rail weighing system was developed to provide deliver reliable, repeatable measurements axle by axle, producing a continuous display of the gross weight of each wheel as well as the total. The Derby installation can measure static weight to within 2·5 kg on each wheel.

The equipment compensates for temperature fluctuations, and can cope with high dynamic overloads or off-set loadings. The date and time, vehicle number, wheel, axle, bogie and total weight are collected, stored and transmitted to a PC electronically, reducing operator involvement to minimise the potential for mistakes. I-Line software can indicate overloads, overspeeds and side-to-side and end-to-end imbalances.