Abstract: A mobile machine arrangement for exchanging old track ties for new track ties comprises first and second machine units, a drive for propelling each machine unit independently along the track in an operating direction, an operator's cab for each machine unit, each machine unit comprising a bridge-like machine frame, a tie loading car coupled to the machine frame and undercarriages supporting the machine frame and the tie loading car on the track, a respective tie exchange device for laterally pulling old ties out of the track mounted on the machine frame of the leading machine unit and for laterally inserting new ties into the track mounted on the machine frame of the trailing machine unit, each tie exchange device comprising power-driven vertically and longitudinally adjustable tie gripping devices, a control for the tie exchange device mounted on each machine unit, and a tie transport arrangement mounted on the machine frame and tie loading car of each machine unit.

Abstract: A method for sequentially exchanging selected consecutive groups of old ties for groups of new ties while retaining groups of old ties between the selected old ties in a railroad track consisting of two rails fastened to the ties supported on ballast, which method comprises advancing at least one elongated bridge-like work vehicle along the track, sequentially operating a succession of different individual devices mounted on the advancing work vehicle to remove rail fastening elements whereby the selected ties are detached from the rails, to remove tie plates positioned between the detached ties and the rails, to withdraw the detached ties laterally from the track, to scarify the ballast where the detached ties have been withdrawn whereby shaped recesses are formed in the ballast under the rails, to insert new ties in the shaped recesses, to place new tie plates between the new ties and the rails, to tamp ballast under the new ties, and to fasten the rails to the new ties.

Abstract: A mobile track renewal installation for the continuous replacement of the rails and ties of a track comprises a leading and a trailing work vehicle arranged for continuous advancement on a track in an operating direction. The leading work vehicle bridges an intermediate renewal section where an existing track is replaced by a new track and carries a ballast excavating and planing apparatus for removing ballast from the ballast bed and planing the remaining ballast bed, and an apparatus for laying ties on the planed ballast immediately behind the ballast excavating and planing apparatus, in the operating direction. The trailing work vehicle carries apparatus for fastening rails to the laid ties and an operating unit for lifting the track and for tamping the ballast under the ties trailing the apparatus for fastening the rails to the laid ties, the operating unit being intermittently displaceable on the trailing vehicle in the operating direction.

Abstract: In a track maintenance vehicle, a cross tie exchanging mechanism is mounted on the vehicle comprising jaws which grip the end of the cross tie to be removed and operate to pull the cross tie from the road bed laterally from beneath the track rail and also operate to push a new cross tie laterally beneath the rails into the road bed. Rail clamps are provided to grip each rail at two spaced positions along each track rail to prevent the track rail from flexing when the track rail is unfastened from the cross tie to be removed. The rail clamps are also used to lift the track rails clear of the cross ties prior to operation of the tie exchanging mechanism to remove and replace a cross tie. A beam member supports the rail clamp so that the rails are laterally stabilized when lifted. The beam member is continuously laterally positioned independent of the lateral moveent of the vehicle by a guide member relative to the rails when the rail clamp is not engaged with the rails.

Abstract: In a mobile track working machine comprising a frame mounted for mobility on the track: a mechanism for bending the track rail section ends comprises a carrier frame vertically adjustably mounted on the machine frame above a respective track rail and having respective end regions spaced from each other in the direction of the track rail, a respective hydraulically operable and vertically adjustable thrust element mounted in a respective end region of the carrier frame for engagement with the running face of the track rail, an intermediate carrier transversely movably mounted on the carrier frame, and a rail lifting hook device supported centrally between the thrust elements on the intermediate carrier for engagement with the track rail, the hook device including two lifting hooks arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical plane of symmetry of the rail, a respective pivot having an axis extending in the direction of the track rail and mounting a respective lifting hook for pivoting into a rail engagin

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuously advancing machine for works on a railway track, comprising a main chassis mounted on bogies and provided with a mobile chassis supported working members such as ballast tamping and track lifting/shifting units. The chassis may move along the main chassis under the action of a chain driven by a motor so as to advance, during the works, step by step with respect to the track while the machine progresses continuously. The reactions of inertia are compensated by a mobile counterweight coupled to the chain so as to execute movements parallel to those of the mobile chassis but in opposite direction, the respective quantities of movement of the counterweight and of the mobile chassis including the working members being equal and opposite.

Abstract: A rail segmenting machine for releasable attachment to the boom structure and hydraulic system of a hydraulic excavator. The present invention includes a frame consisting of rigid spaced apart plates that generally define a top end, an inlet end, a bottom end, an outlet end and an interior cavity. The top end of the frame is releasably secured to the boom structure and hydraulic system of the excavator and includes mounting ears extending outwardly therefrom adjacent the inlet end for swingable mounting of a hydraulically operated grapple thereto. A hydraulically operated notching arm is pivotally secured within the cavity of the frame and cooperates with an anvil secured to the bottom portion of the frame for producing a notch in a railroad rail extending therebetween. A hydraulically operated breaking head is mounted adjacent the outlet end of the frame and moves in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the rail exterior of the outlet end of the frame.

Abstract: A railway ballast renewal machine for renewing a railway road bed within a tunnel is disclosed. The device has a scarifier to loosing the metalling, a work unit to grip and retain the alignment of the rails as well as remove the metalling from between the sleepers, a riddle to sort the metalling, and a device to spread the sorted metalling back on the railway bed. The metalling is removed from between the sleepers by a movable case which moves vertically between the sleepers.

Abstract: An electronic levelling apparatus using an inclinometer mounted to a platform for sensing deviations from the horizontal and generating an output signal representative thereof, filtering the inclinometer output signal to remove electromagnetic and radio frequency interference, level-shifting the filtered inclinometer output signal to establish both positive and negative threshold voltages, determining positive and negative voltage level shifts to generate a level control signal therefrom and transmitting the level control signal to an actuating mechanism for maintaining the platform level.

Abstract: A track leveling, lining and tamping machine comprises a track lifting assembly, a leveling reference system associated with the track lifting assembly, the reference system including a reference line associated with each track rail, each reference line having a forward end and a rear end, a forward track sensing element supporting the forward end of the reference lines in an uncorrected track section, a rear track sensing element supporting the rear end of the reference lines in a corrected track section, and a level sensor associated with each track rail and supported on a corrected track section rearwardly of the track lifting assembly for measuring the level of each track rail with respect to the associated reference line, the level sensor generating a control signal responsive to the measured level, an element for measuring the cross level mounted on the rear track sensing element, the cross level measuring element generating a correction signal indicating any residual error in the desired cross level, a

Abstract: In a ballast cleaning machine which comprises a machine frame, a ballast excavating and conveying chain mounted on the machine frame, the chain having a discharge end for the excavated and conveyed ballast, ballast screening apparatus arranged to receive the ballast from the discharge end of the chain and to separate a waste component from the clean ballast, a conveyor band system mounted below the screening apparatus for receiving the clean ballast component and redistributing it to the track, and an endless conveyor band mounted below the screening apparatus for receiving and conveying the waste component: a sifting conveyor band mounted between the discharge end of the chain and the screening apparatus, the sifting conveyor band having an upper stringer receiving the excavated and conveyed ballast from the discharge end and defining openings permitting a portion of the waste component to pass through the sifting conveyor band, and a drive connected to the sifting conveyor band for driving the band whereby

Abstract: A train for carrying out the renewal of a railroad switch or crossing in a track comprises two chassis with a girder between them supported by two cranes on the respective chassis. Cross beams on the girder have hooks for gripping the switch or crossing. The girder is suspended from the cranes by rotary joints and an auxiliary winch has a cable connected to the switch or crossing off-center to provide for tilting the switch or crossing. At least one of the chassis is provided at its four corners with articulated arms and extensible columns provided with bogies for running on side rails. The arms can be swung in so that the bogies can run on standard gauge track.