Abstract: A ballast discharge car having at least one non-pivoting transverse conveyor disposed beneath a hopper for distributing the ballast between the rails, near the outside of the rails, and well beyond the outside of the rails in a stockpiling application. The speed, direction, and angle of each conveyor is adjustable so that the ballast can be selectively cast a wide range of distances from the outside of the rails.

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 machine for treating a ballast bed underneath a track comprises a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction and supported on the track by undercarriages for movement in an operating direction, a suction unit mounted on the machine frame, the suction unit comprising a vertically and laterally adjustable suction pipe having a suction opening for aspirating ballast from the ballast bed, a conveyor band arranged on the machine frame to convey the aspirated ballast away from the suction unit, and a ballast discharge device mounted on the machine frame rearwardly of the suction pipe in the operating direction, the ballast discharge device comprising a hopper. A conveyor arrangement extends in the longitudinal direction on the machine frame and has an input end arranged to receive the aspirated ballast from the conveyor band and an output end arranged to discharge the aspirated ballast into the hopper.

Abstract: A ballast metering method and apparatus is disclosed which utilizes a rail mounted metering hopper having a set of forward discharge outlets for directing ballast laterally and downwardly beneath the rails under the pressure of a volume of ballast retained in the hopper. This volume is maintained at a continuously maintained level by selective addition of ballast to the hopper. The discharged ballast forms a pair of spaced apart windrows beneath the rails which is graded to a predetermined height by a sub-track grader blade associated with the hopper. A center discharge opening at the rear of the hopper allows ballast to be directed between the graded windrows. A pair of lateral chutes permit discharge of ballast outwardly of the rails.

Abstract: Apparatus for excavating ballast from a railroad bed and for cleaning the excavated ballast for return thereof to the railroad bed. The apparatus includes a vehicle for supporting a pair of excavating assemblies on opposite sides of the support vehicle and thus on opposite sides of the railroad track and a discrete cleaning station for each of the separate excavating assemblies. Each cleaning station is disposed for receiving and cleaning the ballast excavated by the associated excavating assembly. Each excavating assembly includes, in spaced, serial relation, a forward excavating wheel, an undercutter, and a second or rear excavating wheel.

Abstract: An articulated ballast cleaning system utilizes a pair of ballast cleaners each dedicated to cleaning only a portion of the ballast bed of a railroad track, such that one cleans the peripheral ballast while the other cleans the center ballast. Spoil or waste ballast is conveyed forwardly along the apparatus for disposal, while cleaned ballast is conveyed rearwardly for replacement aft of an undercutter device. Fresh ballast may be conveyed forwardly along the apparatus to supplement the cleaned ballast.

Abstract: A mobile ballast cleaning apparatus comprises a first and a second work vehicle. A track lifting device and a vertically adjustable ballast excavating and conveying chain are mounted on the first work vehicle, and a ballast screening installation for separating waste from cleaned ballast and a waste conveyor means for removing the waste are mounted on the second work vehicle.

Abstract: A mobile cleaning ballast machine comprises an elongated machine frame; an endless ballast excavating and conveying chain adjustably mounted on the machine frame; and a ballast screening installation arranged to receive the excavated ballast conveyed by the endless chain. The excavated ballast is washed in an apparatus comprising an elongated conveyor receiving the excavated ballast conveyed by the endless chain and conveying the received ballast in a conveying path to the ballast screening installation, a water tank mounted on the machine frame below the elongated conveyor, the elongated conveyor extending above the water tank and the screening installation, a series of nozzles directed towards the conveying path and receiving water from the tank, and a drainage sieve for returning the water from the elongated conveyor to the water tank.

Abstract: A mobile ballast cleaning machine comprising an endless ballast conveying chain movable in a conveying direction, the chain having arranged sequentially in the conveying direction a transverse chain section for excavating the ballast, an upwardly extending elongated chain section for conveying the excavated ballast, the upwardly extending elongated chain section being supported in a guide of channel-shaped cross section and having a bottom defining a plurality of ports for pre-screening the conveyed ballast to separate waste therefrom falling through the ports in the bottom, and a descending elongated chain section leading to the transverse chain section. A vibratory screen is arranged to receive the pre-screened ballast from the upwardly extending elongated chain section to separate residual waste therefrom, a cleaned ballast component remaining on the screening means and the residual waste falling therethrough. A conveyor conveys the waste away.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ballast cleaning and leveling machines which ensure in succession the extraction of the old ballast, the screening of said ballast for separating the good re-usable ballast from the earth, the fine and the coarse parts, and the redepositing of the good ballast.The improvement consists in adding between the excavator and the screening assembly a coarse crushing device acting on the old ballast removed by the excavator.The improved machine breaks apart the pebbles of the agglomerated blocks of the ballast so as to separate the re-usable ballast from the earth, fine and coarse parts to be rejected.

Abstract: The chain tensioning device for an endless ballast conveyor chain comprises a first, transverse chain guide for a stringer arranged to extend transversely of the track and therebelow and two longitudinally extending, pivotal chain guides rising from the transverse chain guide for two stringers arranged laterally of the machine frame and extending from respective ends of the first stringer, guide rollers being mounted at the ends for guiding the stringers in a polygonal path. One of the chain guides comprises an upper and a lower part movable in relation to each other in the direction of chain elongation. A power drive moves the two chain guide parts to adjust the effective length of the chain guide and thus selectively shortens or lengthens the effective circumference of the endless chain.

Abstract: The complete renewal of a railway road track, i.e. clearing and screening the ballast, and substituting new ties and rails for the old ones, comprises a continuous sequence of operations forming repeating cycles consisting in removing the old track, clearing and screening the ballast, laying a new track with a single passage of a train comprising, in addition to the apparatus necessary for performing the operations, and to the cars necessary for transporting the rails, ties and hardware accessories, at least one track-laying and removing lift of trucks equipped with gantries and frame trucks.