Abstract: Present embodiments relate to a tie plate dispenser which selectively changes the orientation of the tie plates being ejected, if needed. An actuator is used to flip the tie plate as it falls from an ejection location of the dispenser.

Abstract: Described herein are a low-cost, non-destructive, and contact-free intelligent inspection system that is field-deployable on a geometry car, high-rail vehicle, or other types of track inspection platforms to identify broken railway/railroad spikes in real-time.

Abstract: Present embodiments relate to a tie plate dispenser which selectively changes the orientation of the tie plates being ejected, if needed. An actuator is used to flip the tie plate as it falls from an ejection location of the dispenser.

Abstract: A machine for track maintenance is manually displaceable on a track. The machine has a work module with a handle, a working tool powered by a drive and a machine frame configured to be guided on a rail of the track. The work module is detachably connected to an energy module and the energy module has an electrical energy store and output contacts. The output contacts are detachably connected to input contacts of the work module. The work module has as the drive an electric motor supplied with electrical energy from the energy store. This solution results in a high degree of overall efficiency because the energy available in the energy store serves for the largest part for covering performance peaks.

Abstract: An installation device for tension clamps for attaching a rail to a railroad tie or another rail substructure, a method for attaching at least two tension clamps in their installation position by such an installation device, and a system made of an installation device with a drive device connected to it are disclosed.

Abstract: A spike puller apparatus comprises a subframe, a pair of opposed puller arms for engaging with spikes to be pulled via a replaceable puller tool mounted on the end of each puller arm, a pair of horizontal shafts and an actuator to selectively translate each puller arm with respect to one another, an actuator to articulate each respective puller arm for pulling spikes, an A-frame connected to the subframe to resist and/or apply pulling forces to a spike being pulled, and a vertical actuator connected to the A-frame to cause the vertical slide carrier to move up and down along the pair of vertical shafts to effect a spike pulling operation. The respective puller arms are independently controllable, and may be selectively staggered with respect to one another along a rail to allow selective independent and/or simultaneous pulling of rail spikes and/or anchor spikes on opposite sides of the rail.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for repairing, improving, and stabilizing subgrade and subsoil/natural ground layers of a rail bed generally consisting of softer soils. One embodiment includes a method of installing subsurface inclusions and ballast fills comprising injected slurry mixtures of stabilizing material such as cement grout mixed with in situ soil. Another embodiment includes a system of installed ground inclusions and ballast fills. Another embodiment includes an integrated system of equipment for emplacing the system of inclusions and ballast fills.

Abstract: A wire installation apparatus is provided. The wire installation apparatus includes a body through which a peg passes, a reel installed in the body to surround a wire, a wire guide member guiding the wire, and an external force transfer member transferring an external force, applied from the outside, to the peg so that the peg is driven into a ground. The wire is installed by the peg driven into the ground.

Abstract: A hammering device enabling an increased hammering effect to an object is provided. The device has a fork-shaped first frame having series of suspension organs on the inner surfaces of the forks. The hammering device has a second frame that forms a frame for two vibrators and includes a gripping jaw locating on movable turning bars. The vibrators are coupled to the first frame by the suspension organs and locate on both sides of the gripping jaws.

Abstract: In a method for controlling a milling machine, a milling operation is able to be monitored on the basis of a temporally variable parameter of a numerical control in that the parameter is monitored for the exceeding or undershooting of a limit value during the milling operation. The method includes filtering out the tooth-meshing frequency in the time characteristic of the parameter (Iqnom).

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a rail vehicle having a frame and a carriage assembly coupled to the frame. The carriage assembly includes at least one workhead coupled thereto. The workhead includes a jaw member that is operable to engage and remove rail spikes during rail maintenance operations. Further, the carriage assembly and workhead are operable to move longitudinally along the frame and relative to the frame.

Abstract: A fastener driving workhead unit is provided for performing an operation on spikes of a railroad track having a plurality of ties, and includes a hammer housing configured for accommodating a hammer, the housing being attached to a hammer bushing having a hammer bushing clamp. Also included in the workhead unit is an anvil assembly having an anvil and an extension coupler, the extension coupler being releasably secured to the hammer bushing by fastening the hammer bushing clamp. Further, the workhead unit includes a jaw assembly having a jaw block, the jaw block having at least one jaw block clamp for releasably securing a guide rod to the jaw block by the jaw block clamp, such that the anvil freely reciprocates in the hammer housing for driving the spikes into the plurality of ties.

Abstract: A method and system for inspecting railway components. The method includes receiving a stream of images containing railway components, detecting a railway component in each image, generating a plurality of feature vectors for each railway component image, measuring the dissimilarity between the railway component and a set of railway components detected in preceding images, in a sliding window, based on the feature vectors.

Abstract: An automatic rail spike feeder system for use with a rail maintenance vehicle having a bulk storage bin for containing a supply of spikes, and at least one spike driving mechanism, includes a mechanism constructed and arranged for receiving a supply of spikes from the storage bin and for automatically delivering individual spikes to the at least one spike driving mechanism in a desired orientation without operator contact with the spikes.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for pre-plating railway ties, including switch ties of varying lengths. An infeed deck and singulator feeds individual ties, each provided with identifying indicia, to a pre-scanner. Using the scanned indicia, a control system accesses stored data to determine a preliminary drill pattern. A scanning and drilling station positions, secures and scans the tie. The scan results are combined with the stored data to produce a corrected optimal drill pattern, which is used to drill the tie. The drilled tie moves to a plate and screw loading station, where the proper plates and fasteners are attached. A fourth station inspects the assembled tie. If it is properly assembled, the screw spikes are tightened and the plated tie moves to an outfeed deck, where it is marked for identification and removed for storage and shipping.

Abstract: An automatic rail spike feeder system for use with a rail maintenance vehicle having a bulk storage bin for containing a supply of spikes, and at least one spike driving mechanism, includes a mechanism constructed and arranged for receiving a supply of spikes from the storage bin and for automatically delivering individual spikes to the at least one spike driving mechanism in a desired orientation without operator contact of the spikes.

Abstract: An automatic rail spike feeder system for use with a rail maintenance vehicle having a bulk storage bin for containing a supply of spikes, and at least one spike driving mechanism, includes a mechanism constructed and arranged for receiving a supply of spikes from the storage bin and for automatically delivering individual spikes to the at least one spike driving mechanism in a desired orientation without operator contact with the spikes.

Abstract: An automatic rail spike feeder system for use with a rail maintenance vehicle having a bulk storage bin for containing a supply of spikes, and at least one spike driving mechanism, includes a mechanism constructed and arranged for receiving a supply of spikes from the storage bin and for automatically delivering individual spikes to the at least one spike driving mechanism in a desired orientation without operator contact of the spikes.

Abstract: A tray is provided for orienting and conveying items having a longitudinal axis, a tip, an opposite head, and a head-up and a head-down orientation, the tray conveying the items in a direction of travel and including a series of connected, function-oriented static regions configured for orienting the item from a random orientation to a desired tip-down orientation, at least one of the regions being inclined for facilitating movement of the item through the regions, the regions being configured such that proper orientation of the item is achieved without operator contact.

Abstract: A machine for automatically orienting railroad tie plates includes a sensing region having at least one optical sensor adapted to sense a physical feature of a tie plate. An electronic controller is connected to the optical sensor and is disposed to receive a sensor signal indicative of the physical feature of the tie plate when the tie plate is in the sensing region. The electronic controller further determines an orientation of the tie plate based on the sensor signal, compares it to one or more predetermined or possible orientations, and provides a command to at least one actuator adapted to perform at least one tie plate orientation operation to change the orientation of the tie plate based on the comparison of the orientation of the plate with the predetermined orientation.

Abstract: The invention describes a device for the assembly and disassembly of a fastening device, more preferably of a rail fastening device on a support body, wherein the device is designed as screw adapter and the screw adapter is to be placed on the rail fastening device. The invention is based on developing a device for the assembly and disassembly of a rail fastening device which sits on the fastening device with an accurate fit and largely guarantees automated screwing in and screwing out of the fastening device in existing engagement stages. According to the invention this is achieved in that the screw adapter comprising an engagement pin at its stem, in the contact surface of its main body possesses a centrally arranged recess to accommodate the head of a fastening element, wherein the main body on both sides next to this recess comprises two mounting pockets designed trough-shaped as well as a stop.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the disassembly of a rail anchor, connecting a rail to a sleeper of a track, comprising two opposing tool levers, connected by a rod, operated with displacement about a pivot axis by means of a press drive. A first tool lever is connected to the press drive, coupled to the tool frame. A further tool lever is defined at an upper end by the pivot axis.

Abstract: A track mounted machine is capable of inserting a previously positioned tie plate between a rail and underlying cross tie of a railway. The machine preferably is also capable of lifting the rail from the tie prior to tie plate insertion and/or, is capable of operating on both rails of a railway simultaneously. The preferred embodiment includes two tie plate inserter assemblies mounted on a common workhead. Each tie plate inserter assembly includes a pusher that can be moved, under control of an operator stationed on the machine, vertically and longitudinally on the rails so as to be aligned with a field end of the tie plate. The pusher can then be actuated to push the tie plate laterally under the rail.

Abstract: A railway vehicle for inserting plates on rail ties that engage with rails includes a frame configured for movement relative to the track and a plate inserter workhead mounted to the frame. The plate inserter workhead is configured for pivoting the tie plate about a leading edge of the plate so that the trailing edge of the tie plate is lifted off the tie. The plate inserter workhead is configured to subsequently release the plate.

Abstract: A toggle slide-plate for use in a spike-pulling machine, where the toggle slide-plate is configured for aiding in supporting the movement of a pair of pivotable arms each having a spike-pulling claw configured for removing a spike from a railroad tie, the pair of pivotable arms being configured for moving in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a rail and the toggle plate being configured for preventing twisting of the pair of pivotable arms, the toggle slide-plate including: a mid-plate having a first end and a second end, a first endplate connected to the first end, a second endplate connected to the second end, and a wear pad secured to each of the first endplate and the second endplate.

Abstract: A bulk loader conveys articles in bulk and has a hopper configured for receiving the articles, such as railroad articles. A reciprocating member is configured for reciprocating between a retracted position and an extended position in a track associated with the hopper. Articles that are loaded into the hopper fall into the track when the reciprocating member is in the retracted position and are conveyed from the hopper when the reciprocating member actuates to the extended position, resulting in the removed articles being positioned in a convenient location for further handling by an operator.

Abstract: A riding rail tie plugging apparatus for plugging spike holes in ties on a railroad track includes a frame provided with wheels for supporting and moving the frame along the track. At least one reservoir is disposed in operational relationship to the frame for dispensing a supply of chemical tie-plugging solution. At least one applicator gun is in fluid communication with the at least one reservoir for dispensing the solution into the holes. At least one operator station is on the frame in operational relationship to the track and to the at least one applicator gun so that the at least one applicator gun is directly positionable by an operator disposed at the station for dispensing the epoxy solution into selected ones of the holes.

Abstract: A bulk loader conveys articles in bulk and has a hopper configured for receiving the articles, such as railroad articles. A reciprocating member is configured for reciprocating between a retracted position and an extended position in a track associated with the hopper. Articles that are loaded into the hopper fall into the track when the reciprocating member is in the retracted position and are conveyed from the hopper when the reciprocating member actuates to the extended position, resulting in the removed articles being positioned in a convenient location for further handling by an operator.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed by which wooden railroad ties are pre-plated prior to use in constructing and/or repairing railroad lines. Methodology disclosed comprises placing two plates on top of each of a succession of wooden ties, temporarily positioning disclosed one of the two plates on each tie with a distance or spacer template temporarily clamping the two plates accurately to the tie using a jig, starting a field spike and a gauge spike (usually with one or more sledge hammers) into each wooden tie through the selected apertures in each plate, and further driving the started spikes into the associated tie (usually using a jackhammer). Typically, the field spike is located outside the field flange of the plate and is driven until the head of the spike is contiguous with the plate. Typically, the gauge spike is displaced through an aperture in the gauge flange of the plate until the head is about 1½ inches above the plate.

Abstract: A tie plugger riding station which includes a main frame assembly, a seat assembly coupled to the frame assembly, at least one rail wheel coupled to the frame assembly, an articulated wheel assembly, and a coupling device structured to couple the frame assembly to a plugging machine. The articulated wheel assembly includes a truss frame assembly having a main pivot coupling and at least two wheel member pivot couplings. The truss frame assembly is pivotally coupled to the frame assembly at the main pivot coupling. The two wheel members are each pivotally coupled to the truss frame assembly at a wheel member pivot coupling.

Abstract: A material distribution system for stick-like objects such as railroad spikes includes a rake for peeling the stick-like objects from the top of a pile, and transferring them to another location, for example, where they might be reached by a human operator. Use of the rake to peel the object from the top of the pile, with minimized downward pressure applied by the rake, minimizes the tendency of the objects to entangle with each other.

Abstract: A rail tie replacement apparatus that includes a frame having a first side associated with a first side of a railroad track, and a second side associated with a second side of a railroad track; gripping mechanisms disposed on each of the sides of the frame and configured for grasping rail ties located in the track; and extending members attached to the gripping mechanisms and the frame. The extending members include a first extending member and a second extending member in a non-axial relationship to each other, and configured for positioning the gripping mechanisms relative to the rail ties. The apparatus further includes fluid powered cylinders attached to the extending members and the frame that are configured to facilitate the reciprocal movement of the extending members.