I’ve always loved trains. Perhaps it’s the
scale and power of the equipment. Perhaps it’s the history and variety of the
industry.
A couple of historical highlights that
appeal to me are: *
 |
Regarded by many as The Ultimate Steam Locomotive of All Time -
the vast "Niagara" 4-8-4 of the New York Central Railroad. |
 |
The first main line diesel-electric in North America (Canadian National),
No. 9000, built in 1929, and split into two units for operation
following trial running. |
 |
The Hiawatha Express
Top: Class A 4-4-2 No. 1 near Dearfield, Illinois, 1939.
Above: Class F7 No. 101 darkens the sky over Milwaukee
as it pulls with Train No. 101, the streamlined
13-coach "Afternoon Hiawatha". |
 |
The Swedish rod-drive triple-unit Class "Dm3" electric locomotives can
produce more than 200,000lb of tractive effort. |
Speaking of trains, Tenova Takraf makes loading systems for
railway cars. Tenova TAKRAF Rapid Rail Loading Systems use the flask loading
system to load particulate material into moving trains:
- loading at rates of up to 8,000 t/h.
- handling a variety of rail wagons of
different capacities and types.
- loading with accuracies, which meet most
countries’ statutory requirements.
- allowing for a variation in material size
and bulk density.
May 24, 2013 - More pictures added to this post; shown below.
The system pre-weighs each wagon load prior
to depositing the load into the moving wagon. An optional extra is the
integrated calibration system, which operates via a SCADA system. Flow of
material outside the storage bin and weigh flask is controlled by single-pass
radial gates. These are actuated hydraulically by a system that ensures that
the gates close fully without jamming.
The Tenova TAKRAF Profile Chute system,
through which material flows into the wagons, is self adjusting and allows for
differences in the heights of wagons to ensure the correct profile of material
in the wagons. The chute is designed to minimise potential dust emissions
during loading.
The Profile Chute is fail-safe in the event
of any electrical or hydraulic power failure. The Chute will automatically move
out of the way of rolling stock entering the rapid rail loading system bay.
SELF LEARNING CAPABILITY
The Tenova TAKRAF Rapid Rail Loading System
incorporates a programmable logic controller (PLC) and computer controlled
measurement system, which has a learning capability.
As the first few wagons are loaded, the
system assesses the effect of the loaded material’s density and flow
characteristics; the latter is affected by particle size, moisture, temperature,
etc. The system automatically accounts for prevailing conditions and loads
subsequent wagons to a high level of accuracy.
CONTROL SYSTEMS
Tenova TAKRAF Rapid Rail Loading Systems
are equipped with user friendly computer control, information and records
systems.
The accurate loading capability avoids
penalties because:
- individual wagons are not overloaded.
- axle distribution requirements are met.
- wagons are loaded to the correct height.
The control system is based on client
specified hardware and Windows™ based software allowing:
- overall SCADA control of the operation.
- automatic validation of truck numbers as
they are entered into the SCADA system.
- visual monitoring of operations through
closed circuit television systems.
Several optional facilities can be
supplied, including:
- uninterrupted power supply for computer
systems.
- communication networks to the other
computers, PCs or mainframes.
- communications with other weighing
equipment on the plant to control reclaim operations.
- built-in mass calibration systems to
simplify calibration.
Tenova TAKRAF
Tenova Mining & Minerals (Pty) Ltd
1 Kramer Road
Bedfordview
Johannesburg
PO Box 75996
Gardenview, 2047
South Africa
phone +27 11 201 2300
fax +27 11 455 4547
enquiries.TMM@za.tenovagroup.com
TAKRAF GmbH
Torgauer Straße 336
04347 Leipzig
Germany
phone +49 341 2423 500
fax +49 341 2423 510
sales@takraf.com
Nova Analytical Systems
1-800-295-3771
sales at nova-gas dot com
websales at nova-gas dot com
http://www.nova-gas.com/
* Scanned from The Illustrated Directory of Trains of the World by Brian Hollingsworth © Salamander Books Ltd., 2000. Excellent rail resource with pictures and short summary of historic and modern locomotives worldwide.
