Abstract: A clearing chain is mounted on a mobile track maintenance machine for excavating ballast material from a track bed. The chain is composed of shovel-type clearing members for gathering the ballast and intermediate chain elements positioned between the adjacent clearing members and connected thereto by means of chain joints, thus forming an endless chain. Each intermediate chain element comprises two chain joints spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction of the clearing chain. The chain joints are designed for receiving a hinge pin articulatedly mounted in the joint and releasably fastened to the clearing member.

Abstract: A tamping machine for tamping ballast underneath track ties includes a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction and supported on the track by two undercarriages. Arranged between the undercarriages is a sub-frame which is supported on the track by a further undercarriage with a unit motive drive and connected to the machine frame by a frame support for displacement relative thereto in the longitudinal direction. A tamping unit and a track lifting unit are arranged on the sub-frame between the further undercarriage and the frame support. Operation of the unit motive drive to displace the sub-frame is assisted by an acceleration drive which is rigidly connected to the machine frame and has a piston end with a bracing plunger provided for temporary application to the sub-frame. A maximum stroke of the acceleration drive is shorter than a maximum displacement path of the sub-frame relative to the machine frame.

Abstract: In a method of loading several like coupled storage cars with bulk material, in which each storage car comprises a bottom conveyor band to a transfer conveyor band projecting from a front end of the storage car, the bulk material is conveyed at a conveying speed mode by the bottom and transfer conveyor bands arranged successively in the conveying direction, a first storage car is first filled with the bulk material by reducing the conveying speed mode of the bottom conveyor band in the first storage car to a bulk material storing speed mode while the transfer conveyor band of the adjacent storage car fills the first storage car, the storing speed mode of the bottom conveyor band in the first storage car being automatically adjusted in response to a measured amount of the bulk material accumulating in a pile in the first storage car so that the first storage car is filled to a maximal height, and after the accumulated pile of bulk material in the first storage car has reached a forward end position, the convey

Abstract: In a freight train comprising at least two like storage cars for bulk material, the storage cars comprising loading containers extending in a longitudinal direction, and the storage cars being supported on undercarriages for movement on a track, each storage car comprises a bottom conveyor band extending in the longitudinal direction for conveying the bulk material in a conveying direction from a rear end to a front end of the loading container, and a transfer conveyor band at the front end of the loading container, the transfer conveyor band being arranged to receive the conveyed bulk material from the bottom conveyor band and projecting from the front end to a preceding one of the two storage cars to transfer the conveyed bulk material to the loading container of the preceding storage car where the transferred bulk material forms a bulk material pile.

Abstract: A method of cleaning encrusted ballast comprises the steps of screening the encrusted ballast to separate detritus from the ballast, washing the screened ballast with water while removing the separated detritus on a conveyor belt unit, clarifying the washing water to produce a clarified water portion and washing water sludge, and disposing of the washing water sludge by moving it to the detritus on the conveyor belt unit for common removal with the detritus.

Abstract: A tamping machine for tamping ballast underneath ties of a railroad track includes a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction and supported for mobility on the track by two undercarriages. A subframe is arranged between the undercarriages and is mobile on the track by means of a further, separate undercarriage. A frame support is provided for connecting the subframe to the machine frame in a manner allowing displacement of the subframe in the longitudinal direction. The frame support is mounted on the machine frame and displaceable relative thereto perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction. A transverse drive is connected to the frame support and linked to the machine frame. A vertically adjustable tamping unit and a track lifting unit are arranged on the subframe between the further undercarriage and the frame support.

Abstract: A ballast cleaning machine comprises a machine frame supported on the track by undercarriages for movement in an operating direction. Two vertically and laterally adjustable endless ballast excavating chains are sequentially arranged in a longitudinal direction for excavating ballast from the ballast bed, and a track lifting device mounted on the machine frame. A first conveyor arrangement conveys the ballast excavated by the first endless ballast excavating chain to a first screening installation, a second conveyor arrangement conveys the ballast excavated by the second endless ballast excavating chain to a second screening installation, and a third conveyor arrangement distributes the cleaned ballast to the ballast bed.

Abstract: A track bed rehabilitating machine comprises a machine frame supported on a track by undercarriages for movement along the track in an operating direction. The machine frame comprises a first machine frame part, a second machine frame part and a third machine frame part. A first coupling links the second machine frame part to the first machine frame part, a second coupling links the third machine frame part to the second machine frame part, and one of the undercarriages is arranged adjacent the first coupling. Two crawler tractors are spaced from each other in a direction extending transversely to the machine frame and connected to the second machine frame part, and drives connect the crawler tractors to the second machine frame part for vertically adjusting the crawler tractors.

Abstract: For detecting a tie position in a track, a non-contact scanning device on a track-bound machine is associated with an odometer for recording a distance travelled by the machine. The scanning device is configured as distance measuring device for registering vertical distance measurement values between the machine and track, and is operatively connected to a control unit. The control unit is designed for continually and sequentially subdividing a measuring span, correlated to the distance travelled, into a succession of tie detection sections and adjacent ballast detection sections, which are associated with a ballast region situated between the ties. The tie detection section includes distance measurement values differing only slightly from one another, while the ballast detection section contains a sequence of abruptly fluctuating distance measurement values. As a result of detecting the tie position, a working unit, such as a tamping unit, can be centered over the tie automatically.

Abstract: Prior to renewing a damaged tie of a track, a fastening element (35) is inserted into an anchoring hole (49) in both portions of the base plate (39), disposed respectively adjacent to the rail base (52), and has a contact nose (51) for abutment against the rail base (52). Subsequently, the fastening element (35) is welded to the base plate (39) so that the base plate remain in its correct disposition with respect to the rail (23) during the tie renewal.

Abstract: A track work machine for mobility on a track extending in a longitudinal direction and supported on ballast, includes a machine frame extending in the longitudinal direction and having a front end and a rear end. An excavating device is mounted on the machine frame at the rear end and has a leading ballast pick-up unit arranged underneath the track and a trailing discharging end. A conveyor belt is associated with the discharging end and provided for receiving and transporting excavated ballast. A front undercarriage and a rear undercarriage are provided for supporting the machine frame on the track, the rear undercarriage being mounted on the machine frame for displacement in the longitudinal direction from a transit travel position, in which the rear undercarriage is situated between the discharging end and the ballast pick-up unit of the excavating device, in the direction towards the front undercarriage.

Abstract: A machine for continuously removing old ties of a railroad track supported on a ballast bed includes a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction along the track. Undercarriages support the machine frame for mobility in an operating direction. An apparatus for picking up old ties from the ballast bed is mounted on the machine frame, and a conveyor device for transporting away the picked-up old ties in the longitudinal direction is associated with said apparatus. A tie displacement device having a pushing member is positioned ahead of—with regard to the operating direction—the apparatus for picking up old ties. Drives are, provided for adjusting the pushing member vertically and transversely to the longitudinal direction in order to push an old tie laterally out of the track and onto a ballast bed shoulder.

Abstract: A machine for installing a catenary cable of an electrical catenary of a track includes a machine frame, supported for mobility on the track by undercarriages, and a storage drum containing the rolled-up catenary cable which is pulled off the storage drum during installation with a pull-off force, the storage drum being mounted on an auxiliary frame. A vertically adjustable deflection roller is provided for guiding the catenary cable during installation.

Abstract: A ballast cleaning machine is a machine frame supported on the track by undercarriages, one of the undercarriages at an end of the machine frame being displaceable in the longitudinal direction. Two vertically and laterally adjustable endless ballast excavating chains are sequentially arranged in the longitudinal direction for excavating ballast from a ballast bed and mounted on the machine frame between the undercarriages, and drives vertically and laterally adjust, and revolve, each endless ballast excavating chain. At least two track lifting devices are mounted on the machine frame, and a screening installation for cleaning ballast is mounted on a car linked to the machine frame. A first conveyor arrangement conveys the ballast excavated by the two endless ballast excavating chains to the screening installation, and a second conveyor arrangement distributed the cleaned ballast from the screening installation to the ballast bed.

Abstract: A track maintenance machine comprises a machine frame, a track scanning unit adjustable connected to the machine frame and having flanged rollers for moving the track scanning unit along the track, a satellite receiver connected to the machine frame, the satellite receiver having an antenna with an antenna center, a measuring device for monitoring the position of the antenna center relative to the track scanning unit with respect to the following parameters: transverse track tilting (&bgr;), transverse track displacement (d) perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the machine frame, and vertical distance (a), and a computer for a computed repositioning of the antenna center relative to a reference point of the track scanning unit.

Abstract: A rail welding device arranged for mobility along a track direction for effectuating the electric resistance welding of two track rails, comprising a control unit, and two halves of the device movable in the track direction, each half of the device being aligned with a respective one of the track rails and comprising a pair of clamping jaws pivotal towards and away from each other in a plane extending transversely to the track direction. Hydraulic cylinders move the two halves of the device in the track direction, and further hydraulic cylinders pivot the clamping jaws of each half away from each other between a set-up position in which the rail heads of the track rails may freely pass between the clamping jaws and a welding position in which the clamping jaws engage the rail webs. A sensing device detects the welding position at the end of the pivoting motion of the clamping jaws and sends control signals required to effectuate the electric resistance welding to the control unit.

Abstract: A mobile machine for clearing ballast from a ballast bed section wherefrom a tie has been removed comprises a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction, undercarriages supporting the machine frame for mobility on a track supported on the ballast bed, and a ballast clearing device vertically adjustably mounted on the machine frame for clearing ballast from the ballast bed section. The ballast clearing device comprises an inner ballast clearing element arranged on the gage side of at least one rail and pivotal by a pivoting drive in a plane extending transversely to the longitudinal direction about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction, and an outer ballast clearing element vertically adjustable by a vertical adjustment drive independent of the inner ballast clearing element and arranged on the field side of the rail.

Abstract: A stripping apparatus is associated with a track maintenance machine having a machine frame mobile on a track comprised of rails fastened to ties. The stripping apparatus is designed for stripping off ballast lying on the ties and includes a supporting beam, which is mounted for vertical adjustment on the machine frame, and a plurality of elastic sweeping elements, which are disposed in a substantially vertical position. The sweeping elements are fastened at their upper ends to the supporting beam and are arranged adjacent to one another in a sweeping plane extending perpendicularly to the direction of longitudinal extension of the track. Two support rollers fastened to the supporting beam are provided for riding on the rails of the track.

Abstract: A track rehabilitation machine comprises an elongated machine frame supported on the track by undercarriages for movement in an operating direction, the machine frame having two ends.

Abstract: A mobile tamping machine for tamping ballast under a railroad track includes a machine frame supported on undercarriages running on a main track for moving the machine in an operating direction. A tamping unit is mounted on the machine frame between the undercarriages, and a track lifting and lining unit for leveling and lining the main track is vertically and transversely adjustably mounted on the machine frame immediately ahead of the tamping unit in the operating direction, with drives being provided for vertically and transversely adjusting the track lifting and lining unit. An auxiliary lifting unit is mounted on the machine frame for lifting a branch track branching off the main track at a track switch. A common measuring system associated with the track lifting and lining unit and the auxiliary lifting unit is provided for controlling the lifting of the track switch.