Our History

Weighwell Engineering Ltd was founded. Initially, we focused on servicing and maintaining weighing equipment of all shapes and size across a range of industries.

To support our growth, we moved to new premises in Wakefield. That same year, we developed a Portable Bogie Weighing System for ABB Transportation, which earned us a Department for Trade & Industry (DTI) SMART Award.

Shortly afterwards, we began developing the first Portable Train Weigher (PTW) prototype. Early testing and demonstrations took place at Toor Works Quarry.

After further refinements, the PTW earned us a second DTI SMART Award. We officially launched the system at Railtex and received our first order from London Underground (a system still in operation today).

The PTW was also selected for Railtrack’s ‘Virtual Quarry’ project, where site limitations prevented the use of fixed systems.

We received The Daily Telegraph’s ‘Best Growth Through Technology’ award, which recognised both our technical innovation and business growth.

The PTW gained Millennium Product Status from the Design Council, acknowledging its design and practical benefits for the rail industry.

As demand continued to rise, we relocated to larger premises in Sheffield. This expansion enabled us to increase both manufacturing and development capabilities.

During the same year, our PTW system supported a project for Thailand’s State Railway, providing axle weight data for a major fatigue study on steel railway bridges.

We exhibited at InnoTrans in Germany, gaining exposure at one of the world’s largest rail industry exhibitions.

We returned to Berlin to exhibit at InnoTrans, continuing to showcase our portable train weighing systems to the international rail industry.

We launched ptwX software, a multilingual, real-time weighing interface designed specifically for the static weighing of rail vehicles. Built for ease of use, it remains a trusted tool in maintenance and manufacturing depots worldwide.

The PTW 500 was launched. Its compact length of just 500mm allowed for an easier installation between rail fastenings.

We showcased our weighing technology at Railway Interchange, engaging with a North American rail audience.

At Rail Live, we connected with key industry professionals and demonstrated the practical benefits of portable train weighing.

We moved to a 11,000 sq ft facility in Barnsley to meet growing demand, the new space allows for greater Research & Development and international customer support.

Additionally, we supplied a PTW system for Africa’s first high-speed rail line, providing full train weighing for Alstom TGVs operated by ONCF under a long-term maintenance partnership with SNCF.

Our portable weighing systems supported the Intercity Express Programme, beginning with installations at North Pole and Newton Aycliffe depots. This work led to further systems being supplied to Hitachi Rail’s UK operations.

We launched ConnectWeigh™ software, a plug-and-play wireless solution used for the static weighing of rail vehicles.

To assist with train maintenance, we supplied PTW systems for Siemens’ Thameslink Rolling Stock Project, with installations at Hornsey and Three Bridges depots.

We also supplied a Multi-Railcar Weighing System to Hitachi Rail Italy’s Pistoia site, enabling entire Blues trains to be weighed in one movement.

We achieved Rail Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme (RISQS) audited status, reinforcing our commitment to high standards across the UK rail supply chain.

We joined the EcoVadis sustainability platform and earned a Silver rating, recognising our ethical and environmental performance.