Wagon Unloading

In case of the self-unloading gravity method, a slowly moving train continuously discharges commodities into a hopper installed underneath the track bed. The side hatches of the wagons are opened manually or automatically, allowing the load to empty by sliding down the slopes of a saddle longitudinally positioned in the middle of the wagon.

FAM designed wagon tippler stations unload the entire wagons either by tipping or rotary (flipping) mechanism until the material is discharged by gravity through the wagon loading bay opening. The tipping system can either be accomplished using front tipplers or side tipplers; however, side tipplers are more popular because of a much higher unloading efficiency. Especially the high-performance wagon side tipplers with a hydraulic or electro-mechanic drive are capable of discharging at a speed of up to 60 wagons per hour.

Wagon Thawing Plants

At low temperatures, residual moisture inside the freight wagons can cause the bulk material to harden and stick to the wagon walls which creates difficult or even impossible unloading situations.

In order to prevent this, FAM wagon thawing systems are often used to heat the wagon walls and underbody before unloading. This process will minimize or completely eliminate material unloading difficulty. For this purpose, the trains slowly move through a special hall which, depending on its length, can accommodate and heat several wagons at the same time. The heat radiation is generated either by electrical radiators, natural gas burners, or superheated steam in heat exchangers.