Abstract: Railway track is laid by supporting the rails in spacers above a pair of parallel flexible tubes, which are then filled with aggregate under pressure to contact the feet of the rails and to curl around the feet so that when set the rail is continuously supported and no sleepers or ballast are required.

Abstract: A railroad railway for rail-mounted vehicles capable of high speed travel includes a track grating formed of rails and ties with the ties partially embedded in a poured-in-place steel reinforced concrete slab. The concrete slab is mounted on a continuous concrete substructure with a separating layer arranged between the slab and substructure. A single layer of steel reinforcement is located in the concrete slab spaced below the ties. The slab is dimensioned so that it serves only for plate-like stiffening of the track grating without any appreciable inherent bending resistance. The slab is secured against longitudinal and transverse displacement of the substructure, while the substructure is dimensioned to absorb bending moments developed in the longitudinal direction of the rails. The concrete slab is divided in the longitudinal direction by transversely extending expansion joints whereby sections of the slab can be replaced if damage occurs.

Abstract: A flangeway filler and sealing composition suitable for use in a flangeway or expansion joint in a railroad crossing of a roadway surface prepared by the steps of (i) placing cryogenically granulated elastomeric particles in a suitable container; (ii) adding a polyurethane resin to said cryogenically granulated elastomeric particles; (iii) mixing the cryogenically granulated elastomeric particles and the polyurethane resin. The cryogenically granulated elastomeric particles have an average particle size of less than about 3 mm, and the ratio of the cryogenically granulated elastomeric particles to the polyurethane resin is greater than 6 to 1 by weight.

Abstract: A process for sealing railroad structures in which the ballast is cleared from the track, the ties are placed on blocks 3, prefabricated concrete elements 6 then being placed under each block, concrete is then poured into the spaces 7 between the prefabricated elements and finally after hardening the tracks are again lowered onto the railroad structure. This relatively simple process sequence includes the use of a synthetic concrete, preferably a synthetic microconcrete, which ensures that due to an extremely intimate connection between the prefabricated elements and the concrete in the spaces between these elements a monolithic layer is obtained.

Abstract: A railroad track including rails and transversely extending ties. The end portions of the ties are placed on a rigid substructure. For reducing the sound emission, loading members are placed on the ties between the rails. These loading members have an essentially T-shaped cross-section, wherein the horizontally projecting portions are placed on adjacent ties. Sound-insulating elastic inserts may be provided between the ties and the loading members. Consequently, no fittings for fastening the loading members are required. In addition, the space existing between the ties is utilized in an optimum manner by filling it with sound-insulating material.

Abstract: A road bed for railway rails comprises a ballast underlayment mat in the form of a body of elastomeric material. The mat has, at its bottom, prominent projecting parts of the elastomeric material and is covered by stone ballast. At least one fiber fleece layer on the top of the mat limits penetration of the stone ballast into the elastomeric material.

Abstract: Ballastless railroad lines are laid on prefabricated reinforced concrete slabs, which can eliminate the need for periodic maintenance of the ballast of traditional railroad lines, such maintenance being expensive and often difficult to carry out. Prefabricated, possibly prestressed, slabs are thereby positoned upon a steel reinforced concrete block having the functions of a foundation and connector for the prefabricated slabs with the interposition of a concrete-asphalt mortar layer between the slabs and block. The slabs are secured to the foundation block either by means of two half-cylinders, forming parts of the slab structure, or by shoulders formed by upturned sides of the foundation block (tub).

Abstract: A mat comprising an elastic material which serves as an underlay for a ballast bed of crushed stone, metallic particles, or the like is provided with a plurality of projections on its underside and with an upper layer of a material different from the elastic material. This upper layer on the upper side of the mat advantageously comprises a strong fabric. Particularly the upper layer may comprise a multilayered fabric with inlay layers of elastic material positioned between the individual layers of the multilayer fabric as well as a coverying layer of a softer material on the upper surface of the upper layer of the mat. The fabric of the upper layer of the mat advantageously comprises a water and rot resistant plastic material, such as a polyamide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a railway track structure of which the rails are fastened to sleepers. Under each sleeper there are provided one or more bags filled with ballast material in the form of pebbles, broken stone and/or sand. The invention also comprises a method of building such a railway track structure.

Abstract: A railroad bed has an elastomeric mat which supports the ballast and on which the sleepers and rails are mounted. The mat has an upper surface formed by a metal or plastic sheet which prevents penetration of the ballast into the elastomeric body.

Abstract: A support system for a railroad track is described specifically adapted for the improvement of railroad subgrade performance. A plurality of vertically disposed piles are positioned below the ties and the rails of the track so that loads imposed on the cross ties will be distributed into the subgrade by the piles. The piles are preferably comprised of cementitious material. Each of the piles is comprised of a cylindrical stem portion having a funnel-shaped head portion at the upper end thereof. In one form of the invention, the cross ties rest upon the upper end of the head portion of the piles. In another form of the invention, a ballast material is positioned between the cross ties and the upper ends of the piles.

Abstract: A method for restructuring a railway roadbed by injecting therein an amount of structural slurry effective to form a substantially continuous structured layer which provides increased load carrying capacity to said roadbed, which substantially blocks the intrusion of water into the subgrade soil through the ballast section of said roadbed, and which limits the upward intrusion of subgrade soil into the ballast section.

Abstract: A crossing construction for a railway including a plurality of spaced-apart cross-ties that support two parallel rails positioned thereon. The crossing includes a center pad of resilient rubber-like material positioned between the rails. A side pad of resilient rubber-like material is positioned on each side of the railway. Shims are used to position the uppermost surfaces of the center and side pads flush with the tops of the rails. On each side edge of the crossing there is provided a cap of resilient rubber-like material that includes a first leg that extends horizontally under a portion of each side pad and a second leg that extends vertically downwardly and covers the ends of the shims and a portion of the ends of the cross-ties the cap may include an extension pad and an L-shaped reinforcing member.

Abstract: A fabric insertion system for placing fabric in the rock ballast roadbed of an existing railroad track at a predetermined depth beneath the ties of the track includes a car for supporting a roll of fabric which is to be inserted into the ballast. A fabric insertion sled is secured to the car in position beneath the car in the ballast at a predetermined depth beneath the ties. The sled receives fabric from the car and the fabric is diverted within the sled such that it emerges therefrom at the depth of the sled. Fabric is continuously inserted into the ballast as the car and sled are moved along the track.

Abstract: A containment reservoir for a liquid, such as petroleum oil, comprising, a walled ground containment space or pit, opening upwardly, with the space containing a liquid impervious flexible liner generally following the contour of the space, and with the liner comprising a layer of pervious fabric material having on at least one of its sides a layer of liquid impervious material, such as rubber, the liner being operable to prevent escape of liquid through the liner from the containment space; means are provided coacting with the liner covered containment space for removing liquid from the reservoir. A covering layer of pervious fabric material filters anything, including liquid, passing into the reservoir. A method of forming the reservoir from predetermined width strips of liner stock, and a method of retaining and salvaging oil spilled along a railroad track environment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system including method and apparatus for laying a separation fabric on the subgrade of a railroad bed. More particularly, the present invention provides a system for laying a separation fabric on the subgrade of an existing railway bed from which the ballast has been removed so that a continuous web of the material can be laid directly on the subgrade prior to reintroducing ballast back to the railway bed below the track and ties. When the ballast has been removed by apparatus such as an undercutter, the separation fabric is introduced without over stressing the track as by raising it high enough to accommodate a pay out roll of the fabric below the ties. The foregoing is accomplished by supporting a supply roll of fabric above the railway track generally parallel thereto, and directing the fabric web to a guide adjacent the bottom of the ties to a pay out roll or surface below the ties at an angle of approximately 45.degree.

Abstract: A method of re-levelling railway track of the kind having rails fastened to sleepers supported on a ballast bed is disclosed. The method comprises lifting the sleepers off the ballast bed and pneumatically placing ballast stones by an air stream in the gap formed between the underside of a lifted sleeper and the underlying ballast bed using a tool which is driven into the ballast bed adjacent a side face of the sleeper to a depth such that an outlet for the ballast stones propelled by the air stream is provided at the level of the gap. The tool used comprises a spade-like member having a channel along which the air stream and the ballast stones are fed into the gap, the member being disposed so that its channel extends generally downwardly with its mouth facing the sleeper side face and the length of the channel being greater than the depth of the channel.

Abstract: Railroad support fabric consisting essentially of three lamellae, two being of nonwoven polypropylene fibers, and the third being of nylon fibers, the nylon fiber lamella being sandwiched between the other lamellae, and railroad beds containing said support fabric.

Abstract: A containment and storage system for liquids, such as petroleum based liquids, for use for instance in a railroad track environment, comprising a walled containment reservoir formed in the ground and opening upwardly, with the containment reservoir including a flexible impervious liner to prevent escape of liquid through the liner from the containment space, and a receiving or storage reservoir disposed in spaced relation to the containment reservoir and means coacting between the reservoirs for transferring liquid caught in the containment reservoir, to the storage reservoir. In one embodiment, a mechanical pump is utilized for transferring to the storage reservoir liquid caught in the containment reservoir. In another embodiment, gravity flow is utilized for transferring such liquid. An improved arrangement is disclosed for handling liquid caught in the containment reservoir, and preventing leakage from the reservoir, at the exit point from the containment reservoir.

Abstract: According to this invention a guideway for railway vehicles and the like having beams or slabs extending between columns or footings comprises a continuous welded steel rail which is fixed directly to the columns or footings. The rail is prestressed in tension prior to fixing to the columns, the amount of prestressing being such that the rail remains in tension at all times that the guideway is usable. Thermally induced effects in the rail may lessen the tension in the rail with increasing temperature but do not fully relieve the tension when the guideway is usable. As the rail is in tension at all times that the guideway is operable no fasteners are used which would ordinarily transmit thermally induced forces to the beams or slabs. The rails are installed on the guideway according to the method of this invention in sections. Adjoining sections of rails are spaced apart a distance "X" and affixed to a column preferably other than at the end of the rail.

Abstract: A variable thickness fabric mat for use with railroad track right of way beneath the track structure. The mat has a central portion of predetermined thickness, and lateral shoulder portions of a reduced thickness as compared to said cental portion, with the central portion being of a predetermined width of adequate dimension to generally completely underlie the railroad track structure. The mat provides a method for transmission of force from a train on the railroad track structure to be spread over a greater area of the underlying earth bearing surface, and with the mat possessing the capability of passing water, and aiding in draining water from the soil beneath the mat, as well as from the top and sides of the track support.

Abstract: A stationary railroad rerailing apparatus for rerailing derailed cars while the train is moving, including V-shaped centering rails between the track rails, an inclined pad of a cushioning, penetrable material, such as asphalt-aggregate material, for raising the derailed car, rigid wedges outside the track rails for cooperating with the inclined pad to raise the derailed car wheels above the level of the track rails, and platform members outside the track rails for carrying the wheels of the derailed car above the level of the track rails until they are shifted by the centering rails over the track rails and into a rerailed position. The novel pad material allows the derailed car to be guided and replaced into proper position in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A method for restoring the vibration absorbtion of a railway track supported on a bed of ballast, a track structure obtained by applying such a method and sleepers for use with the method.

Abstract: A system for collecting liquid spillage at rail facilities comprises relatively small and lightweight collector pan modules supported by the ties of a railroad track and sealingly joined together so as to extend alongside and between the rails of the track. The pans are individually formed to rest on the ties and for drainage empty into drain conduits provided between the ties.

Abstract: A containment reservoir for a liquid, such as petroleum oil, comprising, a walled ground containment space or pit, opening upwardly, with the space containing a liquid impervious flexible liner generally following the contour of the space, and with the liner comprising a layer of pervious fabric material having on at least one of its sides a layer of liquid impervious material, such as rubber, the liner being operable to prevent escape of liquid through the liner from the containment space; means are provided coacting with the liner covered containment space for removing liquid from the reservoir. A covering layer of pervious fabric material filters anything, including liquid, passing into the reservoir. A method of forming the reservoir from predetermined width strips of liner stock, and a method of retaining and salvaging oil spilled along a railroad track environment is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a railroad track bed an injected layer is formed between the railroad ties and the roadbed so as to protect the latter. The injected layer is composed of an injection material injected through openings formed in the tie. The injection material has a viscosity below 30 poise at a temperature not higher than 200.degree. C. before hardening, and when hardened it has a compressive stress at 10% strain of 0.4 to 30kg/cm.sup.2 at a compressive strain rate at 40.degree. C. of 1.5% per minute.

Abstract: A variable thickness fabric mat for use in railroad track structures, and particularly at stress transition zones in the railroad track; the mat is preferably formed of non-woven, multi-layered fabric, with the layers connected together, as for instance by needle punching to form an integral member. The mats are applicable for use with poor load bearing soils, and form a generally stepped, resilient bed for conventional railroad track structure, to help support and progressively spread the stress from the wheeled traffic, over a wider area. The mats provide for effective passing of runoff water, and aid in drainage of water from the soil beneath the mats, to thus improve the track support. The invention also provides a method of forming a railroad track construction so as to spread the stress from wheeled traffic at stress transition zones, over wider areas.

Abstract: A concrete slab structure for supporting railway track is itself resiliently supported on a base structure by a spring system comprising tubes secured against longitudinal movement in holes extending through the slab from its top surface to its bottom surface, springs each arranged in a respective one of the tubes and an adjustable spring abutment at the upper end of each of the tubes for pre-loading the springs against the base structure.

Abstract: A method of and arrangement for correcting the height of a railway upper structure with a reinforced concrete plate thereon into which plate a reinforced concrete part as support for rail holding members is so inserted that the reinforced concrete part is positioned above a just finished or poured concrete section of the reinforced concrete plate in conformity with its end position and is subsequently lowered and jarred into the not yet hardened concrete of the reinforced concrete plate.

Abstract: A technique for rapid installation of corrosion resistant quench car railroad track wherein levelling blocks are embedded in a slag base, a layer of polyethylene is laid over the base and levelling blocks, and a thin layer of gravel is disposed on the polyethylene sheet. Mating precast concrete panels are placed end to end for supporting the ties and rails, with the adjacent edges of the panels overlying the levelling blocks. Ties and rails are installed on the upper surfaces of the panels, and drainage ramp and channel structures are provided on opposite sides of the panels. The panels have vertical holes therein through which an epoxy resin is injected into the underlying gravel layer, the epoxy being horizontally directed by the plastic sheet. The epoxy subsequently hardens, bonding the gravel particles together and forming a stable underlayment for the concrete panels.

Abstract: In a railroad track bed, an injection layer is formed between the railroad ties and the raodbed so as to protect the latter. The injected layer is composed of an injection material injected through openings formed in the tie. The injection material has a viscosity below 30 poise at a temperature not higher than 200.degree. C. before hardening, and when hardened it has a compressive stress at 10% strain of 0.4 to 30 kg/cm.sup.2 at a compressive strain rate at 40.degree. C. of 1.5% per minute.

Abstract: A method of treating subsurface layers of the earth to either control movement of the subsurface water or build strength of the subsurface layers, or both, characterized by injecting at a predetermined depth and at a plurality of predetermined, spaced apart locations a limefly ash slurry consisting essentially of water, particulate hydrated lime, particulate fly ash and a surfactant. Also disclosed are the preferred proportions, or concentrations, of the components of the slurry; and a finished product; such as, a railroad track subgrade and ballast supporting cross-ties and rails, the subgrade having been injected with masses of lime and fly ash slurry to leave residual masses of lime and fly ash disposed in fissures and any ballast pockets along the railroad track, the masses having a proportion of lime to fly ash in the range of one to 1:1 to 1:3.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a modular liquid collection system for use on the roadbed of a railroad, particularly at fueling stations. The modules are arranged end-to-end along the track, and are composed of precast components made of reinforced concrete or foamed plastic. In the most complete form, each module includes a central basin which rests on the ties between the rails, and a pair of side basins which rest on the ties at the outboard sides of the rails and which are formed with integral curbs. The basins have liquid-receiving surfaces which are pitched in both the transverse and longitudinal directions and have centrally located drain openings which overlie a transverse drain trough. The basins of the end modules of a series are equipped with removable end curbs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a railroad grade crossing comprising a vehicular supporting structure formed by a plurality of precast slabs fixedly located between and on opposite sides of a pair of running rails. A variety of slabs are provided for accommodation of multiple, switch and curved sections of track, with each slab being adjustably positioned relative to the elevation of the rails by temporary shims located proximate each of the marginal corners thereof and carried on the longitudinally spaced railroad ties. A supporting bracket is provided for fixedly connecting the slabs to the running rail. The structure is subsequently supported on a plurality of initially deformable pads located on the railroad ties and which are compressed and preformed to accommodate all inconsistencies and irregularities of the ties. In installations involving signal control sections of track, the supporting bracket is insulated from the running rails whereby to preclude any interference therewith.