Weighing In

I rolled out of the maintenance siding and paced along the low concrete apron toward the platform four baggage bay. Sitting flush against the wall was a vintage mechanical platform scale with an iron treadplate and a tall, brass balance arm. It looked solidly anchored and perfectly level. Testing my clearance, I eased forward quarter-turn by quarter-turn until my front right wheel rolled cleanly onto the heavy textured iron base. With a dull metallic clink, the slender brass counterweight on the upper balance beam lifted off its rest and swung into a steady, floating glide. I held my brakes completely still, watching the notch marks oscillate before finding true equilibrium. Confirming that solid mechanical response gave the morning run an orderly start.