Abstract: An apparatus for removing ballast utilizes eccentrically mounted disk-like undercutters to remove ballast from a position adjacent the track shoulder inwardly to a position underneath the ends of the crossties. The undercutters project inwardly from their mounting position on the lower ends of vertically disposed columns which overhang each side of a supporting carriage. The vertically disposed columns attach to horizontal sliders mounted transversely relative to the carriage. Linear actuators act to position the undercutters for ballast removal.

Abstract: A mobile machine for distributing and shaping the ballast bed of a railroad track comprises a machine frame, and a ballast plow arrangement comprising a ballast planing plow including two vertically adjustable center plowshares arranged between the rails and a respective rail-bridging tunnel-shaped element associated with each rail and embracing the associated rail. A vertically adjustable, transversely extending ballast scraping and damming wall is arranged between the tunnel-shaped elements immediately behind the center plowshares in the operating direction, the wall having an upper edge, and a conveyor band is arranged immediately behind the ballast scraping and damming wall for removing any ballast flowing over the upper edge of the wall.

Abstract: A tractor side blade mount includes a control member, a blade holding bracket, a blade, a joint member for mounting the blade on the blade holding bracket, and a pair of hydraulically actuated arms for independently positioning the control member and the bracket. As a result of selected positioning of the control member and the bracket, the blade, which is mounted at one end of the bracket, may take up various angles, heights and lateral displacements with respect to the body of the tractor. The versatility in the movement of the blade results in an increased capability to grade earth, scrape dirt, or dig trenches alongside structures and in areas which would otherwise be out of reach of a conventionally equipped tractor.

Abstract: A track leveling and ballast tamping machine comprises a standard vehicle capable of being coupled to a train, two undercarriages supporting the frame for movement in an operating direction along a track and a drive for moving the frame along the track. A ballast tamping unit is connected to the frame between the undercarriages and a track lifting unit is connected to the frame between the undercarriages ahead of the ballast tamping unit in the operating direction, a track leveling reference system controlling the lifting of the track by the track lifting unit. A ballast receiving and storage container is mounted on the frame ahead of the ballast tamping and track lifting units in a forward portion thereof, the container having adjustable outlet ports for distributing ballast in respective ones of the cribs, and a ballast conveyor is arranged on the frame for conveying ballast to the ballast receiving and storage container in the forward portion of the frame, in the operating direction.

Abstract: A mobile installation for cleaning the ballast supporting a track and subsequently leveling the track and tamping ballast under the ties of the leveled track comprises a ballast cleaning machine movable in an operating direction along the track and a track leveling, lining and tamping machine following the ballast cleaning machine in the operating direction, the track leveling, lining and tamping machine.

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: A mobile ballast cleaning machine comprises a machine frame supporting a ballast excavating and conveying chain, a screening installation and a cleaned ballast redistributing apparatus arranged to receive the cleaned ballast from the screening installation and to redistribute the cleaned ballast at a ballast discharge site behind the ballast excavating site. A cleaned ballast compacting device is arranged at the ballast discharge site, the compacting device comprising a plate-shaped compacting beam extending below the track and transversely thereto to the ballast discharge site, the compacting beam having opposite ends projecting beyond the track, a carrier post supporting each compacting beam end on the machine frame, and a drive connected to each carrier post for continuously reciprocating the compacting beam in a plane extending substantially parallel to the track whereby the cleaned ballast is compacted at the discharge site in a direction opposite to the operating direction.

Abstract: A ditching method and apparatus wherein an excavator wheel provided with an annular array of peripheral scoops is rotated about a horizontal axis while the wheel is moved along the terrain alongside a railroad track. The axis of rotation of the wheel is positioned selectively to be disposed within the range of perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the track to substantially parallel thereto, whereby the scoops excavate a ditch correspondingly in the range of a narrow trench having a width equal to the transverse extent of the scoops to a wide ditch having a profile corresponding generally to the circumference of the wheel. The wheel is carried on the distal end of a boom having the opposite end mounted to a wheeled support. The wheels are carried on suitable trucks adjustably connected to the support to permit leveling of the support. In one form, the wheel is reversibly rotated and provided with double-ended scoops to permit excavation in either direction of rotation of the wheel.

Abstract: A trench digger for digging and maintaining drainage ditches along railway road beds. The trench digger includes a compact rotary drum cutting head mounted on a boom that can be swung about a boom base pivot axis to position the cutting head to either side of a railroad mounted support carriage. A first conveyor carries loosened composite from the cutting head to a first conveyor discharge point rearwardly of the boom base pivot axis. A second conveyor, pivotally mounted to the boom base at a second conveyor pivot axis oriented rearwardly of the boom base pivot axis, receives the loosened composite from the first conveyor and conveys the loosened composite to a second conveyor discharge point remote from the boom base.

Abstract: A track working machine comprising a frame mounted for mobility on the track, an operating unit mounted on the frame, the operating unit including tools for working on the track and a drive for moving the machine along the track in an operating direction, and an operator's stand including a seat for the operator and a control panel and actuating element for the drive associated with the seat for operation by the operator, the operator's stand with the seat and drive actuating element being pivotal about a vertical axis between two end positions in the operating direction and in a direction opposite to the operating direction, respectively, in relation to the frame and the operating unit, and being blocked in each one of the end positions.

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 apparatus for removing ballast utilizes a ditcher wheel to remove ballast from along the side of a railroad track. An undercutter is pivotally mounted to the frame of the ditcher wheel rearwardly thereof and is also pivotal about a vertical axis such that the undercutter may be placed beneath the track while supported by the ditcher wheel. A portion of the undercutter is aligned parallel to the track proximal and rearwardly of the ditcher wheel and serves to urge the ballast removed by the undercutter into the path of the ditcher wheel for removal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing ballast from beneath railroad tracks utilizes a horizontal undercutter disposed beneath the track to remove the ballast therefrom into a trench excavated by a cooperatively mounted trencher wheel. A horizontally disposed conveyor is located in the trench rearwardly of and adjacent the trench wheel to receive the ballast from the undercutter and to transport the ballast to the trencher wheel for removal thereby.

Abstract: A railroad scarifying device is adapted to automatically distinguish between ballast and ties. The device includes a mounting piece or drum on which a plurality of hammer arms are pivotably attached. The hammer arms are pulled outwardly by the centrifugal force of rotation of the drum and include hammer teeth to pound and fracture hardened ballast in between railroad ties. The hammer arms have a tie protector or tie protecting portion which strikes ties and causes the hammer arms to retract inwardly such that the teeth avoid damaging contact with the ties. The hammer arms include a stop slot which cooperates with a stop pin mounted on the drum so as to limit the range of pivoting of the hammer arms relative to the drum.

Abstract: A track work train for successively reconditioning ballast bed zones supporting respective assembled track section comprises a track building vehicle and a plurality of freight cars interconnected for common movement along the track. The track building vehicle includes an elongated frame and two undercarriages supporting the vehicle frame for movement on the track. A hoist is mounted on the vehicle frame for lifting an assembled track section off the ballast bed and the vehicle frame spans a ballast bed reconditioning zone resulting from the lifting of the assembled track section off the ballast bed. A vertically adjustably ballast bed excavator is mounted on the vehicle frame adjacent the hoist and a conveyor band is associated with the excavator. The hoist and the excavator with the associated conveyor band are displaceably mounted on a guide track on the vehicle frame for movement along the vehicle frame in the direction of the track.

Abstract: A mobile arrangement for continuously laying a sand layer between a subgrade and ballast of a track bed in a construction section of the track comprises a work vehicle supported on undercarriages mounting the vehicle for mobility on the track in an operating direction. The work vehicle comprises a ballast excavating chain including a chain part receiving the excavated ballast. A ballast conveyor conveys ballast to the track section in the operating direction has an output end discharging the conveyed ballast in the track section. A device for planing the sand layer leads the output end in the operating direction, and a sand conveyor conveys sand to the track section in the operating direction. The sand conveyor has an output end discharging the conveyed sand in the track section and laying the sand layer, the output end being positioned between the excavating chain part and the planing device, and the ballast and sand conveyors in their entirety trailing the chain part in the operating direction.

Abstract: A mobile ballast cleaning machine comprising a frame mounted on two undercarriages for mobility along a track supported on the ballast resting on a subgrade, a ballast excavating means mounted on the frame between the track to expose the subgrade, a ballast screening means arranged on the frame to receive the removed ballast from the ballast excavating means and to discharge cleaned ballast and waste, conveyor band means for carrying away the waste and for redistributing the cleaned ballast, the ballast redistributing conveyor band means having a discharge end and a zone being defined between the ballast excavating means and the discharge end for laying a succession of rigid foam plates on the exposed subgrade, and apparatus for handling the rigid foam plates, the apparatus including a plate receiving and transfer station, an elongated plate conveying path extending from the station to the zone and a plate turning and laying mechanism receiving successive ones of the rigid foam plates from the conveying path

Abstract: A tamping machine intended for tamping on the open track and below switches and cross overs. It is equipped with independent tamping units arranged on opposite sides of each line of rail and each connected to the chassis by a mechanism comprising: a transverse slideway actuated by a first piston-cylinder unit; a slide block mounted on the slideway and on which the tamping unit is articulated; an arm fastened to the tamping unit; and a connecting rod connecting said arm to the chassis. The slide block of the outer unit is fastened on the slideway while the slide block of the inner unit is movable on said slideway and driven by a second piston-cylinder unit. Thus, the transverse trajectory of the tamping tools is sufficiently flat to avoid a correction of their depth of penetration upon the tamping of long ties.

Abstract: This plough adapted to be mounted on a railroad tracklaying machine comprises in its plough area members capable of disaggregating and/or thrusting aside the old compact ballast. These members consist of ejectors acting like pistons and extending through apertures formed in the ploughshares; the ejectors movable across the normal direction of travel of the plough under the control are driven by an actuating mechanism imparting a reciprocating motion thereto, and may be replaced by blades disposed beneath, and substantially parallel to, the ploughshares, the actuating mechanism being adapted to impart to these blades a movement substantially of translation along a closed path.

Abstract: A compact bidirectionally operative tie exchanging apparatus includes an extensible telescoping beam assembly carried in a support cradle mounted on the underside of a railway maintenance car. The beam assembly includes an inner and an outer beam telescopically received within one another with hydraulically actuated tie clamping arms mounted on the opposite, remote ends of the beam assembly. A push/pull hydraulic cylinder has its ram and its cylinder connected, respectively, to the inner and outer beams. Hydraulically actuated locking pins mounted on the support cradle are selectively actuatable to lock either the inner beam or the outer beam to its respective support cradle.

Abstract: A compact bidirectionally operative tie exchanging apparatus includes an extensible telescoping beam assembly carried in a support cradle mounted on the underside of a railway maintenance car. In a first embodiment, the beam assembly includes an inner and an outer beam telescopically received within one another with hydraulically actuated tie clamping arms mounted on the opposite, remote ends of the beams assembly. A push/pull hydraulic cylinder has its ram and its cylinder connected, respectively, to the inner and outer beams. Hydraulically actuated locking pins mounted on the support cradle are selectively actuatable to lock either the inner beam or the outer beam to its respective support cradle.

Abstract: A plough to be applied to a machine for rehabilitating a railway track, for performing the operation consisting in displacing the ballast to be renewed. Lateral ejectors are applied to the lower portion of the plough and actuated alternatively for breaking the compact ballast and push the gravel so as to gradually accumulate same on the sides and afford and easy forward travel of the plough for making a relatively deep cutting into which the new ties can be laid without requiring a subsequent sinking thereof. The lateral ejectors are actuated two at a time, one to the right and the other to the left, for compensating side stress. A possible mechanism for actuating the lateral ejectors comprises rockers having unequal arms and actuated by a hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A method for the improvement and drainage of a railway track employs a train comprising a working frame-car to carry out the method whereby it is made possible to dismantle and reassemble the track together with its infrastructure. The old track spans are removed, ballast and earth are excavated from the track and replaced by a layer of sand and by new ballast which are distributed, levelled and compacted mechanically. All these operations are taking place in succession through and within the empty frame of said frame-car as the latter is stationary bridging the working site. Two travelling gantries are provided on the train and equipped both with a lifting device for a track span and a lifting and tipping device for buckets. The working car is also equipped with means for excavating, digging, levelling and compacting.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for performing work on a railway roadbed is disclosed. The apparatus includes a mobile support framework (16), a front truck (18) and a rear truck (20). Leg assemblies (22, 24) connect each truck to the framework (16). Rail hooks (46, 48) selectively connect the framework (16) with rails (14). Outriggers (42, 44) raise the framework and a section of rail connected to the framework by the hooks with respect to the ground. A roadbed working tool (34) can be suspended below the framework by a hook mechanism (36). A powered handling boom mechanism (38) is supported on the framework for moving the tool with respect to the framework after the tool has been released from the framework by the hooks. An adjusting mechanism (52) moves each of the trucks (18, 20) laterally with respect to the lengthwise dimension of the framework (16).

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing and spreading ballast between and exteriorly of railroad rails and cross ties. A hand pushed or motor driven ballast spreader has a ballast hopper supported by a frame mounted on wheels engageable with the railroad rails. The hopper has an open top and an open bottom with converging lower walls. Ballast may be deposited between the rails through a door mounted horizontally beneath the frame and through a slot in a fixed chute. Ballast may also be deposited exteriorly of the heads of the cross ties by passing through the fixed chute and through a pivotally movable chute which is pivotally mounted near each lateral end of the fixed chute. Resiliently mounted blades clear excess ballast from the ties between the rails and from the heads of the ties exteriorly of the rails.

Abstract: A self-propelled machine having a frame for receiving a truck which supplies ballast to a dispensing hopper at one end of the frame. A fluid system provides the locomotion and controls for the dispensing hopper. A turntable expedites conversion of the machine between road and rail use.

Abstract: In a track working machine for removing excess ballast from a ballast bed arranged to support a track defining a plane and for planing the ballast of the bed, which comprises a frame, undercarriages supporting the frame on the track for movement in a working direction, an improved ballast removing and planing device is mounted vertically adjustably on the frame and includes an endless ballast removing chain comprised of a multiplicity of chain members extending substantially parallel to the track plane, two chain reversing points about which the chain is trained for movement in a plane extending substantially vertically to the track plane, and a drive for moving the chain in the vertical plane and having an axis extending substantially parallel to the track plane, the chain having an upper and a lower stringer, the lower stringer facing away from the frame and projecting forwardly of the upper chain stringer in the working direction.

Abstract: A method for the improvement and drainage of a length of railway track employs a train to carry out the method whereby it is made possible to dismantle and reassemble the length of track together with its infrastructure. Ballast and earth are excavated from the track and replaced by a layer of sand which is distributed and compacted mechanically through an empty frame of a working truck of the train. Two travelling gantries are provided on the train and equipped both with a lifting device for a length of track and a lifting and tipping device for buckets. The working truck is also equipped with a strip for levelling a platform and a tamper. These two members are mounted on a common chassis supported by travelling on the two side parts of the empty frame of the working truck within the travelling supports for the gantries so that the levelling-tamping chassis may move freely by passing below the gantries.

Abstract: A track renewal train includes a vehicle bridging an intermediate right of way section between an old and a new track section, and this vehicle carries rail spreaders as well as equipment arranged in succession for removing the ties of the old track section, for lowering the level of, and planing, the ballast in the intermediate right of way section and for laying the ties of the new track section. The ballast lowering and placing equipment includes a ballast planing shield mounted on the vehicle and having a width at least equal to the length of the ties of the new track section, a ballast conveyor elevator associated with the ballast planing shield, the elevator extending over the width of the shield and having an input end adjacent the front end of the shield and an output end at the trailing end of the shield, and a ballast dumping conveyor arranged to receive ballast from the output end of the elevator.

Abstract: A self-propelled track working machine comprises a frame, track working equipment carried by the frame and subjecting the frame to a load and an undercarriage arrangement with two main undercarriages supporting the frame for mobility on the track and an auxiliary undercarriage associated with each main undercarriage and arranged adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A ballast plow arrangement comprises two plows arranged on a frame of a track working machine for independent vertical adjustment. Each plow is constituted by an integral plow plate bridging a respective track rail and extending transversely to the central axis of the machine frame into the range thereof, the plow plates having adjacent ends in the range of the central axis and defining an acute angle with each other to form a plow arrangement extending over substantially the entire width of the track. A ballast regulating guide plate is mounted on each plow plate end for selective adjustment between a rest position and an operating position wherein the ballast regulating guide plate projects beyond the central axis.

Abstract: A mobile ballast cleaning machine comprises a ballast redistribution monitoring and control arrangement for controlling the amount of redistributed ballast, which includes an adjustment circuit responsive to output signals produced by monitoring devices for the speed of the forward drive of the machine, the speed of the ballast excavating and conveying chain drive, and the amount of cleaned ballast conveyed by the ballast redistributing conveyor.

Abstract: There is described a railroad ballast plow comprising a four element plow member of substantially X-shaped configuration mounted on subframes on a track travelling vehicle so that it can be moved vertically into and out of engagement with the ballast. The elements are disposed such that the intersection point of the X is central of the track and the elements are positioned in pairs on the sub-frames so as to provide a leading and a trailing plow element on each side of the machine. Each plow element has, at an end adjacent the intersection point of the X, a ballast passing gate hinged adjacent and along an upper edge of its respective plow member for rotation between open and closed position. Each ballast passing gate is individually operated by a remote controlled hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement located between a gate and its respective sub-frame.

Abstract: A self-propelled ballast cleaning machine comprises a machine frame comprised of two frame parts having abutting ends. A pivotal connection is arranged between the abutting frame part ends to enable pivotal movement of the frame parts in vertical and horizontal directions, and hydraulic drives interconnect the abutting frame part ends to effectuate the pivotal movement in at least one direction. Three track-bound undercarriages respectively support the machine frame at the abutting frame part ends and the ends of the frame parts remote from the abutting ends.

Abstract: A mobile ballast cleaning machine comprises a frame running on two undercarriages a rear one of which is supported on a track section resting on cleaned ballast. A ballast excavating and conveying chain is mounted on the frame in front of this track section and a ballast screening mechanism on the frame receives the excavated ballast from the chain, cleans it and discharges the cleaned ballast to a storage receptacle arranged on the frame between the undercarriages. The storage receptacle has sufficient capacity to hold a volume of the cleaned ballast corresponding to that of the excavated ballast and a rising ballast conveyor is mounted in the storage receptacle for distributing the cleaned ballast therein. The cleaned ballast is discharged from the storage receptacle for redistribution by a ballast conveyor system and devices for regulating the flow of the cleaned ballast and for guiding the same between the discharge from the receptacle and the ballast conveyor system.

Abstract: A mobile machine arrangement for surfacing a track comprises a ballast excavating chain, a ballast cleaning screen, and conveying devices arranged rearwardly thereof for returning the cleaned ballast into respective ones of the cribs. Thrust tamping tools immersible in the cribs are arranged rearwardly of the ballast returning devices, and a track correction unit is arranged between the ballast excavating chain and the thrust tamping tools for moving the track into a desired position.

Abstract: An improved reciprocatory self-loading dual-ended earth excavation vehicle pivotally connected to two or more unmanned self-leveling and self-maneuvering telescopic conveyor vehicles, the latter in turn are pivotally connected to a multi-function dual-ended distribution vehicle capable of conveying, spreading, wetting, impacting and grading the earth fill. The above-mentioned articulated vehicles provide the means to excavate, convey and discharge a virtually continuous flow of earth while traveling in a forward or rearward direction. The excavation and telescopic conveyor vehicles are readily adaptable to surface mining of various minerals including coal and oil shale by simply exchanging the above-mentioned distribution vehicle for a pivotally connected boom conveyer vehicle which provides the means for discharging the ore at a mill site or for the loading of long haul ore carriers.

Abstract: A pair of spaced apart arms disposed on the side of a railway maintenance machine, the arms extending outwardly and carrying vertically positioned sleeves at their outer ends. Bars are slidably held in the sleeves for mounting of a fabric roll on their upper ends. Extension members extend horizontally from the lower ends of the bars. Idler and tension rollers are rotatably mounted across the arms, and an applicator tube extends diagonally under the machine frame, and beneath track raised by the machine, such that fabric can be continuously unrolled and passed under the tension roller, over the idler roller, over the applicator tube and on the track bed.

Abstract: A track working machine for distributing and shaping the ballast of a railroad bed comprises a ballast plow arrangement vertically adjustably mounted on a machine frame and including a generally V-shaped plow including a pair of plow blades and a ballast guide plate associated with each plow blade, the ballast guide plate bing adjustable in relation to the associated plow blade and a respective plow blade being associated with each track rail and bridging over the associated track rail. One drive vertically adjusts the ballast plow arrangement in relation to the frame and an additional drive mechanism vertically adjusts the ballast guide plates in relation to the plow blades.

Abstract: A track renewal train includes a semi-trailer work car which carries track renewal equipment and includes two selectively usable undercarriages for supporting the rear end of the work car. One of the undercarriages is an off-track track-laying bogie supporting the work car on the trackless section where track renewal is effected and the other undercarriage is a vertically movable on-track bogie. A selectively usable on-track bogie supports the forward end of the work car when it is linked thereto, the forward work car end being linked to the last car of the train during track renewal operations.

Abstract: A machine for cleaning debris from railway roadbeds, particularly from between rails of a single track and the space between tracks in railroad yards, comprises an articulated tractor and scraper-loader, each preferably having only two wheels. The scraper-loader has a scraper blade which extends transversely to the track when the machine is in use and a notch which loosely fits over a rail. The blade has wings extending oppositely from the notch. One of the wings has a length which is substantially equal to, but no greater than, the distance between the rails of a track, and the other has a length equal to at least one-half of that distance. The blade has a shoe which overlies the notch and which rides on the surface of a rail to establish the depth of the blade relative to the rails. The shoe is adjustably mounted on the blade so that such depth can be varied in order to clean between the rails of tracks which have rails of different heigths above their ties.

Abstract: A mobile ballast plow comprises a plow arrangement vertically adjustably mounted on a frame and including a V-shaped central plow consisting of two plow blades rigidly interconnected at an apex of the central plow, a side plow associated with each one of the track rails, each of the side plows having a single ballast guide blade adjustably between the track rails and having an effective operating length extending to the apex of the central plow, and a tunnel-shaped element extending over and covering each track rail.

Abstract: A ballast excavation chain arrangement includes a polygonal chain guide and an endless ballast excavation link chain supported therein. The lower portions of two longitudinally extending guide sections are connected to respective ends of a transversely extending guide section and the latter guide section and a portion of the link chain is mounted for extension transversely of, and below, the track for excavating ballast. Hydraulic drives are provided for laterally adjusting at least the lower portions of the longitudinally extending guide sections for selectively extending the chain guide to the right and to the left of the track.

Abstract: A component unit for excavating, compacting and loading material on a horizontal or sloping surface. A carrier beam pivotal in the horizontal and vertical plane carries via a plurality of elastic members an excavating blade and further an amplitude limiter between said beam and said blade. The amplitude limiter comprises a sliding body carried by said blade and provided with a top sliding surface and a side sliding surface having an angle of preferably 135.degree. to the top sliding surface. The carrier beam carries partly a top block above and adjustable in relation to the top sliding surface partly a stop member portion along and on a small distance from the side sliding surface.

Abstract: A mobile track renewal train comprises a bridge-like elongated carrier frame supported on an old and a new track section on respective on-track undercarriages and bridging an intermediate trackless ballast bed section. A chain guide including a transversely extending guide section is mounted on the carrier frame and encloses a space, the chain guide rising from the transverse guide section adjacent the ballast bed on an upper portion, and an endless excavating chain is supported for movement in the chain guide to excavate ballast from the bed. The carrier frame also supports a tie laying device for laying new ties in a position extending transversely to the carrier frame and a conveyor for transporting the new ties in succession to the tie laying device, the tie laying device being positioned in the enclosed space and the conveyor having a path extending through the space towards the tie laying device.

Abstract: A ripping apparatus includes a housing having a bearing assembly therein which is connected to a support member of a vehicle, a ripper mechanism having a shaft member pivotally mounted in the bearing assembly, a lever arm connected to the shaft member, a material ripping element connected to the bottom of the shaft member, and a fluid operated linear actuator connected to the support member and to the lever arm for rotating the ripping element between a retracted position and a transversely disposed working position. The ripping apparatus is particularly adapted to shatter a compacted railroad bed underneath the rail and supporting ties.

Abstract: New railroad crossties are placed on the rails of a railroad track and pushed along the track by a rail mounted vehicle. When the new crosstie is positioned over a crosstie in the railroad bed that it to be replaced, the ballast at one end of the old crosstie is removed, the rails are urged upwardly to relieve the force on the old crosstie, the new crosstie is then grasped and moved along its length laterally across the track until its trailing end clears the exposed end of the old crosstie, then the new crosstie is lowered and pushed against the exposed end of the old crosstie until the new crosstie pushes the old crosstie out from beneath the rails. A work head assembly is mounted at one end of the vehicle and includes a shovel and clamp assembly, and the work head assembly is movable laterally with respect to the rails of the railroad track to clear the soil away from the ends of the old crossties and to grasp and insert the new crossties beneath the rails.

Abstract: A ballast conditioning machine which removes ballast from railroad tracks by means of a digging chain conveyor driven transversely through the ballast below the normal rail level travels on the rails on wheels and alternatively travels on caterpillar tracks over track sections from which switches or crossings were removed to give the conveyor full access to the ballast.

Abstract: Railroad bed scarifying apparatus employing a digging or scooping action along the direction of the rails is provided. A movable frame mounted on a vehicle which travels along the rails has three digging plates pivotally mounted thereon. A first digging plate extends between the rails, while the other two digging plates each extend outwardly from an associated one of the rails to the end of the ties. Each of the digging plates has a digging ridge located on the end thereof, the digging ridge being located at an obtuse angle with respect to the front surface of the digging plate. By appropriate control of suitable driving arrangements, the digging ridges and digging plates form a trench of the appropriate dimensions to receive a tie and place the removed ballast on an adjacent tie for return after insertion of the new tie.

Abstract: A track laying car has a rear undercarriage for moving the car in a working direction on the track rails and track-laying bogie for selective engagement with the ballast bed for moving the car on the ballast bed in the absence of a track for the rear undercarriage. An endless scraper conveyor chain is vertically adjustably mounted on the car and includes a transverse stringer arranged for engagement with the ballast bed for planing the ballast bed and conveying excess ballast from the planed bed, the stringer being arranged in front of the bogie. A tie conveyor is mounted on the car to convey ties in a direction opposite to the working direction to the planed ballast bed behind the bogie and to lay the conveyed ties sequentially on the planed ballast bed, and a ballast conveyor moves in a path arranged to enable the ballast conveyor to receive the excess ballast and to convey it in a direction opposite to the working direction to the rear end of the car where the ties have been laid on the planed ballast bed.