Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for measuring the wear in the cross-sectional profile of a railroad rail. A carriage is adapted for travel along the length of the rail and includes means for moving transversely with respect to its direction of travel in response to wear in the railhead of the rail. Distance sensors fixedly mounted to the carriage sense the changes in distances from the carriage to the rail as the carriage moves in a direction transverse to the direction of travel. The sensors relate the changes in these distances to wear in the top and gauge sides of the railhead.

Abstract: A railroad track rail grinding car having both vertical and horizontal grinding stones, with the horizontal stones being individually positionable to contact selected areas of a rail head profile and with the vertical stones being mounted on a flexible beam that can be bent to adjust the grinding path of the vertical stones. Both vertical and horizontal stones are surrounded with shrouds from which a vacuum pulls dust and sparks.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a chassis adapted for travel along a railroad rail with the chassis having a plurality of bearing points located between the chassis and the rail for supporting the chassis on the rail and for allowing movement of the chassis over the rail. The bearing points are aligned along a reference line and are at least variably spaced on opposite sides of a sensing point mounted on the chassis. At least one bearing point on each side of the sensing point contacts the rail surface as the chassis moves over the rail. A sensing device is provided at the sensing point for continuously sensing the distance between the reference line and the surface of the rail as the chassis travels along the rail. The sensing device has an output which is a function of the sensed distance between the reference line and the rail surface.

Abstract: A track inspection car supported on railroad track by flanged wheels mounted on a truck, and having means for engaging a tractor-truck at one end and wheels with highway tires at the other. The wheels are relatively vertically displaceable by selectively inflating pneumatic springs for converting the car from on-track operation to an off-track trailer-truck configuration. A pair of ultrasonic sensor probes are mounted on the wheel truck coupled to a computer in the car. The car also includes an on-track driving motor, a driver station, a computer operators station, an observer's station, and a water supply for creating a fluid acoustical coupling between the sensors and the rails.

Abstract: A railroad track tamper control system of the type wherein the grade rail is jacked relative to a reference line, the level rail is cross leveled to the grade rail before tamping, and the tamper frame is relatively independent of the jacking; in which a cross level sensor is mounted on the main tamper frame to free it from jacking vibrations and vertical position sensors measure the jacked elevations of both the grade and level rails relative to the tamper frame. The system cross levels the level rail by comparing the elevation of the grade and level rails relative to the tamper frame and adjusting that comparison by any out-of-cross level of the frame sensed by the cross level sensor.