How TRAKMATE Transform Rail Workshop Weighing

At a glance

• High Precision: Ensures accurate weighing, preventing safety issues like brake lockups and derailments.
• Increased Efficiency: Speeds up the weighing process, reducing downtime in rail workshops.
• Portability: Easily moved between tracks, providing flexibility for various rail vehicles.
• Data Insights: Captures vital weight data for better decision-making and maintenance.
• Safety & Savings: Enhances rail safety and cuts costs with improved fuel efficiency and reduced maintenance.

 

When was the last time you thought about the weight of a train? In the world of rail workshops, precision isn’t just important – it’s critical. Each axle, wheel, and wagon needs to be carefully balanced and weighed to ensure safety, fuel efficiency, and a smoother ride. But until recently, rail workshop weighing has been stuck in the past, relying on outdated methods that are prone to errors and delays. Enter TRAKMATE, the revolutionary rail weighing system by Trakblaze that’s transforming the industry. Let’s dive into how TRAKMATE is making waves and redefining rail workshop weighing systems.

Trakblaze: Pioneers in Weighing Systems Technology

 

With over 90 years of experience, Trakblaze has solidified its position as a global leader in weighing systems technology across the rail, road, mining, and aviation industries. Our commitment to research, development, and precision has enabled us to design advanced scales that meet the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and accuracy. And now, with TRAKMAT, we’re pushing the boundaries of innovation even further, offering a solution that meets the specific demands of modern rail workshops.

In rail operations, precision is the difference between smooth, safe journeys and potential hazards. Incorrect weighing can lead to brake lockups, wheel flat spots, or even derailments – issues that no rail workshop can afford. TRAKMATE changes the game, delivering accuracy, speed, and reliability where it matters most.

The Evolution of Rail Workshop Weighing: From Challenges to Innovation

 

For decades, rail workshops have faced numerous challenges when it comes to accurate train weighing. Traditional methods were often labour-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to human error. These outdated systems didn’t align with the fast-paced, precision-driven demands of modern rail operations, leaving workshops struggling to keep up.

The lack of technological advancements in rail workshop weighing created bottlenecks in maintenance schedules and opened the door to costly safety risks. It was clear that innovation was needed to overhaul the process.

What is TRAKMATE? A Revolution in Rail Workshop Weighing

 

So, what makes TRAKMATE such a game-changer? This rail weighbridge system is specifically designed for static weighing and balancing of all types of rail vehicles – from locomotives to wagons and everything in between. Whether you’re weighing a single railcar or an entire train, TRAKMATE delivers unparalleled precision, making it an invaluable asset for any rail workshop.

Key Features of TRAKMATE

• Portability: TRAKMATE is easy to install and move between different tracks, offering flexibility to workshops.
• Accuracy: With high-precision sensors, TRAKMATE ensures that every axle and wheel is perfectly weighed and balanced.
• User-friendly: Designed for ease of use, it simplifies the weighing process, reducing errors and saving time.
• Safety Enhancements: TRAKMATE helps prevent brake lockups, wheel flat spots, and other rail maintenance issues.
• Optional In-Motion Weighing: For workshops that require even greater efficiency, TRAKMATE can be modified to weigh vehicles while in motion.

The system’s ability to prevent derailments and reduce rail vehicle or track damage significantly enhances overall rail safety. By ensuring evenly balanced rail vehicles, TRAKMATE also improves fuel economy, giving workshops and rail operators an added financial benefit.

How TRAKMATE Transforms Rail Workshop Weighing

TRAKMATE isn’t just a tool – it’s a comprehensive solution that transforms how rail workshops operate. Here’s how it elevates rail workshop weighing to new heights:

• Precision and Accuracy: TRAKMATE’s advanced sensors guarantee high-accuracy readings, reducing the risk of errors in weighing. This precision ensures that trains are perfectly balanced, which is critical for preventing maintenance issues and enhancing operational safety.
• Efficiency and Speed: Traditional weighing methods can be time-consuming, slowing down maintenance operations. TRAKMATE accelerates the weighing process, cutting down on time and allowing workshops to focus on maintenance and inspections more efficiently.
• Portability and Flexibility: TRAKMATE’s design allows it to be moved across different tracks and used with a variety of rail vehicles, offering unparalleled flexibility for workshops with varying needs.
• Data Collection and Analytics: In today’s data-driven world, TRAKMATE provides valuable insights by collecting and storing weight data. Workshops can use this information to improve decision-making, streamline operations, and maintain compliance with industry regulations.

Case Study: TRAKMATE in Action

 

KiwiRail, Christchurch, New Zealand
Date Installed: December 2023
Product: TRAKMATE (Rail Workshop Weighing & Balancing System)

Project Overview

In 2023, KiwiRail, New Zealand’s premier rail operator, opened a state-of-the-art mechanical maintenance facility in Christchurch to enhance operations on the South Island. This facility, located in Waltham, serves as the hub for maintaining its growing fleet of locomotives, passenger carriages, and wagons. To ensure their fleet meets the highest safety standards, KiwiRail turned to Trakblaze for the installation of two TRAKMATE systems designed to optimise weighing and balancing processes across various maintenance tasks.

TRAKMATE’s Role in the KiwiRail Project

KiwiRail required a high-precision solution that could accommodate their diverse locomotive fleet, which features varying axle spacings and the addition of 47 new low-emission locomotives. The TRAKMATE system, known for its accuracy and reliability, was selected for two specific areas within the workshop: the general maintenance area and the lathe road.

1. Maintenance Area (Pit Road) System:

In the general maintenance area, TRAKMATE was installed to measure wheel loads before and after maintenance activities such as bogie or wheel changes, suspension adjustments, and other repairs. These activities can shift the centre of gravity (COG) of locomotives, which, if not corrected, could lead to operational risks. The open-pit road design allows maintenance teams to access the undercarriage of the locomotives while simultaneously using TRAKMATE to ensure that the weight distribution is within safety tolerances. This helps guarantee the stability and performance of the rail vehicles before they return to service.

2. Lathe Road System:

The second TRAKMATE system was installed on the lathe road, a high-traffic area designed for wheel machining. Post-lathe calibration is critical for ensuring that wheelsets are correctly balanced after reshaping or re-profiling. TRAKMATE weighs each axle and wheel with precision, preventing potential imbalances that could cause safety issues or operational inefficiencies. This ensures that every locomotive meets stringent performance specifications before being cleared for active use.

Installation Process

Both TRAKMATE systems were installed over a period of 3–4 days each, with careful planning to integrate them into KiwiRail’s workshop infrastructure. The pit road installation was particularly challenging due to the open access pit, but Trakblaze successfully adapted the system to fit within the civil construction envelope without requiring significant changes to the site. By utilising KiwiRail’s approved base plate and fixation systems, Trakblaze ensured minimal disruption to ongoing site development.
For the lathe road, where forklifts and other machinery frequently operate, the TRAKMATE system had to be designed with a flat concrete floor and cover plates for protection during normal operations. Trakblaze demonstrated flexibility by redesigning the load cell fixation system to suit KiwiRail’s specific rail fastening requirements, showcasing their ability to tailor solutions to meet client needs.

Key Benefits for KiwiRail

Enhanced Accuracy and Safety:

TRAKMATE delivers precise, reliable weight measurements, ensuring that KiwiRail’s locomotives and railcars are accurately balanced. This reduces the risk of derailments, brake lockups, and uneven wear, which are critical safety concerns in rail operations.

Improved Operational Efficiency:

The automation and speed of TRAKMATE streamline the weighing process, cutting down on manual labour and reducing downtime in the workshop. This allows KiwiRail to maintain an efficient maintenance schedule, getting locomotives back into service more quickly.

Data-Driven Maintenance and Predictive Insights:

The TRAKMATE system collects detailed weight data that can be stored and analysed to inform future maintenance decisions. By tracking this data, KiwiRail can move towards predictive maintenance, identifying potential issues before they escalate and optimising the performance of their fleet.

Cost Reduction:

By preventing imbalances and ensuring that rail vehicles are within weight tolerances, TRAKMATE reduces the costs associated with equipment damage, track wear, and unscheduled repairs. Additionally, accurate weighing helps improve fuel efficiency, which results in long-term cost savings.

Seamless Integration with RFID Technology:

One of KiwiRail’s specific requirements was the integration of RFID tags for automatic identification of locomotives during weighing. TRAKMATE’s software was adapted to incorporate this feature, ensuring that each vehicle’s data was logged automatically, improving reporting accuracy and reducing the need for manual data entry.

Challenges and Outcomes

Trakblaze faced some infrastructure challenges during the installation, particularly in adapting the system to KiwiRail’s unique site conditions and operational requirements. However, by working closely with the design engineers and offering flexible solutions, Trakblaze successfully installed and commissioned both systems within one week. These TRAKMATE systems were operational and ready to weigh KiwiRail’s locomotive fleet as soon as the facility came online, aligning with the project timeline and expectations.

Closing Remark: A Successful Partnership with KiwiRail

KiwiRail’s investment in TRAKMATE has delivered significant benefits in terms of safety, efficiency, and cost savings. Trakblaze’s ability to customise and adapt the system to KiwiRail’s unique requirements further demonstrates its expertise in providing advanced rail weighing solutions. By choosing TRAKMATE, KiwiRail has not only modernised its workshop operations but has also taken a significant step towards predictive maintenance and improved rail safety.

This project serves as a testament to TRAKMATE’s versatility and reliability in demanding rail environments, and it showcases how Trakblaze continues to lead the way in precision rail workshop weighing technology.

Enhancing Rail Safety and Maintenance with TRAKMATE

 

When it comes to rail operations, safety is paramount. TRAKMATE plays a crucial role in improving rail safety by delivering highly accurate weight measurements that ensure proper load distribution. This reduces the risk of derailments and prevents damage to both rail vehicles and infrastructure.

Furthermore, TRAKMATE’s data collection capabilities assist in preventive maintenance. By detecting potential issues early on, rail workshops can address problems before they escalate, ensuring regulatory compliance and reducing costly repairs down the line.

TRAKMATE vs. Traditional Weighing Systems: A Clear Winner

 

How does TRAKMATE stack up against older rail weighing systems? The answer is clear: TRAKMATE is not only more accurate but also more cost-effective in the long run. Traditional systems often require more labour and manual processes, leading to higher operational costs and increased downtime. TRAKMATE’s precision, efficiency, and ability to adapt to various rail vehicles make it a superior choice for modern rail workshops.

The Future of Rail Workshop Weighing with TRAKMATE

 

As rail technology continues to evolve, so does TRAKMATE. Trakblaze is committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation by integrating TRAKMATE with the latest advancements in IoT, AI, and automation. These developments will further enhance the system’s ability to streamline operations and improve decision-making, setting the stage for the future of rail workshop efficiency and safety.

Conclusion: Transform Your Rail Workshop with TRAKMATE

In an industry where safety, precision, and efficiency are critical, TRAKMATE is a game-changer for rail workshop weighing. By addressing the key challenges that workshops face, TRAKMATE offers a solution that’s not only reliable but also cost-effective. For workshops and rail companies looking to stay ahead in a competitive and safety-critical industry, adopting advanced technology like TRAKMATE is a must.

Ready to transform your rail workshop? Explore the possibilities with TRAKMATE today and experience the future of rail weighing systems firsthand.