RailBoss is an in-line rail weighing solution consisting of a series of 5-feet, 10-inch rail sections that are installed in an existing rail line. Full-draft and double-draft rail weighing systems are available.

RailBoss has an accuracy of 0.25 percent for full-draft systems (±200 pounds), and 0.4 percent (±300 pounds) for double-draft systems, but has not been certified Legal for Trade.

RailBoss’ series of 5-feet, 10-inch rail sections, four per set of rail trucks, are designed to weigh each wheel of the rail car. Four rail sections are required for double-draft systems. Eight rail sections are required for a full-draft system. Essentially, each rail section is a load cell that measures the deflection of the rail, totalizes the signals, and provides a weight.

Standard RailBoss sizes are 90 RA, 100 ARA-A, 115 RE, 132 RE, 133 RE or 136 RE.

RailBoss does not require a traditional concrete foundation. RailBoss is installed on top of existing rail ties and ballast. A rail maintenance contractor is needed to position the rail ties, cut the existing rail, and install the rail sections in accordance with Rice Lake drawings. This work is the responsibility of the property owner. Most customers who have a rail spur have a rail maintenance contractor available

Yes. Maintenance is also lessened when RailBoss is installed on concrete

The ideal site is level, with rail, ties and ballast in good condition and preferably one rail car clearance on each side of the scale.

Yes. Rail, ties and ballast should be brought up to main line standards; a maximum of ¼-inch deflection of rail
under load.

Typically, RailBoss can be installed in as little as one day to minimize disruption of the customer’s rail spur

Several products are designed to move rail cars on a rail spur or within a rail yard. TrackMobile® and RailKing® are the more common brand names. Many customers have developed custom, in-house devices to move and position rail cars along with locomotives either owned or servicing the rail road.

RailBoss sections are 5-feet, 10-inches in length and designed to weigh rail cars with like rail truck centers of 5-feet, 9-inches to 5-feet, 11-inches. Most rail car trucks have a center-to-center wheel measurement of approximately 5-feet, 10-inches. Each rail section has a weighing area of approximately ±4 inches from center where the rail car wheels will be located. Custom designs are also available.

The double-draft RailBoss system can handle an infinite number of rail car sizes, although it does require weighing each end of the rail car. The full-draft RailBoss is designed to weigh a specific rail car length. The distance between the two sets of rail sections must be accurately determined. Most industries have standardized common car lengths. The distance between the two sets of rail sections should be sized to the most common rail car. All other cars would have to be weighed in double-draft mode.

Yes. Customers often purchase 12 rail sections and install them to full-draft weigh the two most common rail car sizes.

A full-draft system consists of eight 5-feet, 10-inch RailBoss sections designed to simultaneously weigh all eight wheels of a rail car. A double-draft system consists of four 5-feet, 10-inch RailBoss sections designed to weigh each set of rail trucks individually. The double-draft system requires each end of the rail car to be positioned and weighed.

The most accurate method of weighing any rail car is uncoupled at both ends. Some sacrifice in accuracy may be seen when weighing rail cars coupled at one or both ends. The knuckle connections between the rail cars can exert forces that affect the weight.

Yes. RailBoss is simply an extension of the rail line.

RailBoss is the ideal choice for customers who need to check rail car shipping weights, to verify weights of incoming rail cars, rail car filling applications, inventory control, and checking for under-loaded and overloaded rail cars.

Rice Lake has developed a hydraulic calibration and test unit that attaches to the rail. The RailBoss calibration
unit will be available for short-term rental or purchase. RailBoss can also be calibrated and tested using a known rail car weight.

RailBoss has a two-year limited warranty.