As many of you are aware, I use WindigiPet to control the layout. In version 2009 they introduced a major change from throttle position to KM/Hr running as part of a strategy to deliver more realistic computer controlled running. To deliver this, all locos had to be calibrated to get a link between the throttle position and the scale km/hr speed. I managed to achieve the calibration using the layout and fixed contact points at 1 speed step, half speed maximum step and maximum speed step. On my small layout this means that I need to run the locos around two 5200 curves.. Needless to say, some locos did not like this and chose to leap off the corner at full speed. At three calibration points, in each direction, I eventually managed to get the fleet calibrated and everything was running well on the layout..

Then they introduced WDP version 2012.1, which now needs 15 measurement points to guarantee accurate stopping on the layout. Why? Because the relationship between speed step and km/hr is not linear or a smooth curve.. In fact, now that I have tested many of my locos, it is really surprising what happens as you increase the speed on a loco.. The following picture shows an example from a near new locomotive.

The next step is to attach the speed sensing device, named SpeedCat..

In concept, this is a great little device as it uses a special set of rollers to translate wheel turns into an electrical signal that is sent via USB to your computer. WindigiPet knows about SpeedCat, so you can interface directly with the device from within WDP.. A CD-ROM is supplied with drives and a Speedometer, but you need to download (Windows ONLY) the English version from here - http://www.kpf-zeller.de/kpf/rollenstand/include/downs/Speed_Cat_EN_4.0.exe

However concepts do not translate into a well made product. When I placed the first loco on the rollers, I noticed that the roller was stopping intermittently during the test run. A look at the roller assembly shows two problems. The first problem is that the rollers are tapered - probably to accommodate a variety of HO loco motive wheels. However, this means that the roller is not in contact with the rubber traction tyre on the loco.. In fact it runs on the edge of the wheel..

The second problem, as you can see in the photo below, is that the rollers are not in line.. So the loco wheel will turn the left hand roller, but the right hand one just moves away from the wheel. I fix this problem, I had to find some washers with a 2mm hole.. I started with brass washers, but found that it worked better with the nylon washers.

Summary

If you want a cheap rolling road that can hold a Big Boy, then this is a pretty good product at a great price (10 Euro shipping to Australia), but you need to:
1. Buy some clamps to attach the power wires to the rods; and
2. Clamp the whole stand to your bench as it does not come with any rubber feet to keep it from moving across the table during testing.

If you need to measure speed, then it is a problem.. If I knew then, what I know now I would have built a six metre straight section of track in my garage to use as the speed calibration track.. SpeedCat is great in concept, but poorly implemented - it needs better rollers and a better mechanism to ensure that the loco does not try to run away on the stand..

Manufacturer's website: http://www.kpf-zeller.de/kpf/rollenstand/index.php

I also did some tests with the KPF-Zeller thing (and SpeedCat) but got not godd enough results - so I had to cancel this item. Now - I'm using the TachoMesser USB in combination with the Märklin rolling road - which give much better results! It also works in combination with the 78111 Speed Measure device, although there, since a few weeks, are a far better measuring-device (for the Märklin rolling road) available.

Integration in WDP is an issue though, AFAIK not (yet?) supported.

However I've measured mfx-locos within 5-6 minutes on all their speed-steps using the non-Märklin add-on.

Measuring Tool (SW) is still under development - but for now functional in automatic measuring mode.

The TachoMesser USB is available at € 49,-. (Link: TachoMesse USB - CAN-Digital-Bahn, sorry - German page)

I bought mine direct from ZPF Zeller.. Is it possible that ZPF and Marion are resellers of the same product?

Thanks for this information. Unfortunately, the English edition of WDP is currently 2012.1. As it was only released in September last year, I can't see them getting the new version (likely to be 2012.3) out before September this year.. In any case, I have posted the question on their forum, because sometimes these things can be enabled by the addition of a file..