Train Load-Out Arrangement

A train load-out arrangement comprising:

• a hopper operatively containing particulate material and having a discharge chute with controllable gate via which the material is operatively dischargeable into ore wagons of a rail consist passing beneath said chute on a rail track;
• a first track scale arranged on the track distal from the discharge chute;
• a second track scale arranged on the track underneath the discharge chute;
• and
• a controller arranged in signal communication with the gate and track scales and configured to, as the consist passes along the track:
• i. determine a first wagon axle weight-displacement profile via the first track scale;
• ii. determine a second wagon axle weight-displacement profile via the second track scale as material is discharged into a wagon;
• iii. compare said first and second wagon axle weight-displacement profiles to produce a real-time noise-compensated wagon axle weight-displacement profile;
• and
• iv. control the gate in accordance with the noise-compensated wagon axle weight-displacement profile to regulate real-time material discharge into a wagon;
• wherein loading of a wagon with a desired weight of particulate material is facilitated according to real-time direct weight measurement underneath said chute.

A controller for a train load-out arrangement having a hopper operatively containing particulate material and having a discharge chute with controllable gate via which the material is operatively dischargeable into ore wagons of a rail consist passing beneath said chute on a rail track, as well as a first track scale arranged on the track distal from the discharge chute and a second track scale arranged on the track underneath the discharge chute, said controller arranged in signal communication with the gate and track scales and configured to, as the consist passes along the track:

• i. determine a first wagon axle weight-displacement profile via the first track scale;
• ii. determine a second wagon axle weight-displacement profile via the second track scale as material is discharged into a wagon;
• iii. compare said first and second wagon axle weight-displacement profiles to produce a realtime noise-compensated wagon axle weight-displacement profile;
• and
• iv. control the gate in accordance with the noise-compensated wagon axle weight-displacement-profile to regulate real-time material discharge into a wagon;
• wherein loading of a wagon with a desired weight of particulate material is facilitated according to real-time direct weight measurement underneath said chute.

A method for loading a train consist with particulate material, said method comprising the steps of:

• passing said rail consist on a rail track beneath a hopper containing particulate material and having a discharge chute with controllable gate via which the material is operatively dischargeable into ore wagons of said consist, the rail track having a first track scale arranged on the track distal from the discharge chute and a second track scale arranged on the track underneath the discharge chute;
• determining, via a controller arranged in signal communication with the gate and track scales, as the consist passes along the track, a first wagon axle weight-displacement profile via the first track scale and a second wagon axle weight-displacement profile via the second track scale as material is discharged into a wagon;
• comparing, via the controller, said first and second wagon axle weight-displacement profiles to produce a real-time noise-compensated wagon axle weight-displacement profile;
• and controlling the gate in accordance with the noise-compensated wagon axle weight-displacement profile to regulate real-time material discharge into a wagon, wherein loading of a wagon with a desired weight of particulate material is facilitated according to real-time direct weight measurement underneath said chute.