Abstract: Systems and methods for a first rail grinding machine and a second rail grinding machine can be used to enhance specialized rail grinding. A first rail grinding machine can detect, process, and communicate a portion of track rail needing specialized grinding to a second rail grinding machine that can process and display a detected portion of rail requiring specialized rail grinding and display the portion of rail as a virtual image to an operator. A displayable image allows an operator to perform specialty rail grinding without the need to be physically present at the location for specialized rail grinding.

Abstract: A gauge-face lubrication assembly and related methods of use in which a removable and replaceable applicator member is positioned proximate a gauge-face for lubrication of a rail member. Generally, the replaceable applicator member can be molded of a resilient polymeric material having shaped-memory properties. The replaceable applicator member includes one or more molded lubricant channels for delivering lubricant supplied by a lubrication system to the gauge-face. Each molded lubricant channel can include a molded seal for sealably engaging a lubrication bracket that retains the applicator member in position against the gauge-face. The removable applicator member can further include a liner for physically engaging the gauge-face and protecting removable applicator member. The applicator member can include a coupling portion that insertably interfaces with a bracket channel defined in the lubrication bracket, whereby the applicator member can be removed and replaced in the event of damage or wear.

Abstract: A gauge-face lubrication assembly and related methods of use in which a removable and replacable applicator member is positioned proximate a gauge-face for lubrication of a rail member. Generally, the replaceable applicator member can be molded of a resilient polymeric material having shaped-memory properties. The replaceable applicator member includes one or more molded lubricant channels for delivering lubricant supplied by a lubrication system to the gauge-face. Each molded lubricant channel can include a molded seal for sealably engaging a lubrication bracket that retains the applicator member in position against the gauge-face. The removable applicator member can further include a liner for physically engaging the gauge-face and protecting removable applicator member. The applicator member can include a coupling portion that insertably interfaces with a bracket channel defined in the lubrication bracket, whereby the applicator member can be removed and replaced in the event of damage or wear.

Abstract: A milling system for milling a track surface with at least one rotatable milling plate. A modular blade system for each milling plate allows individual blades to be removed and replaced when an individual blade becomes dull or broken. The blade system also allows the milling plates to be oriented in both Type 2 and Type 3 configurations depending upon track surroundings and the presence of encumbrance. The milling plates can be mounted to a positioning assembly for adjusting the relative distance between the milling plate and the track surface as well as the angle at which the milling plate engages the track surface. The milling system can include a depth guide so as to physically prevent the milling plate from cutting too deeply into the track surface.

Abstract: A railroad ballast removal system capable of removing ballast material from below a rail line. The railroad ballast removal system includes at least one rotary cutting wheel having a plurality of individually replaceable cutting attachments positioned about a perimeter of the rotary cutting wheel. Each rotary cutting wheel is attached to an articulated arm capable of adjusting the position of the rotary cutting wheel along varying axis. The articulated arm is mounted to a support structure capable of transporting the rotary cutting wheel to a portion of railway requiring maintenance of the ballast material. The railroad ballast removal system is able to operate at a spot location or in a continuous manner down a length of railroad track. The ability to manipulate the rotary cutting wheel along the various axis allows the rotary cutting wheel to be used for ballast removal in locations wherein adjacent railways limit cutting access.

Abstract: A long rail pick-up and delivery system providing increased efficiency and safety. The long rail pick-up and delivery system can include a power car, a rail train, a loading car, an unloading car, a transition car and two independent gantries. The dual gantry design allows for simultaneous and independent loading and unloading of long rail on both sides of the long rail pick-up and delivery system. The gantries are operably mounted on a elevated track whereby the gantries are capable to traversing the length of the rail train. The gantries can include booms having multiple degrees of freedom allowing a gripping head to grasp and pull long rail regardless of the resting attitude of the long rail. The long rail pick-up and delivery system can also include additional power cars, an integrated work station and additional gantries.

Abstract: A railroad ballast removal system capable of removing ballast material from below a rail line. The railroad ballast removal system includes at least one rotary cutting wheel having a plurality of individually replaceable cutting attachments positioned about a perimeter of the rotary cutting wheel. Each rotary cutting wheel is attached to an articulated arm capable of adjusting the position of the rotary cutting wheel along varying axis. The articulated arm is mounted to a support structure capable of transporting the rotary cutting wheel to a portion of railway requiring maintenance of the ballast material. The railroad ballast removal system is able to operate at a spot location or in a continuous manner down a length of railroad track. The ability to manipulate the rotary cutting wheel along the various axis allows the rotary cutting wheel to be used for ballast removal in locations wherein adjacent railways limit cutting access.

Abstract: A long rail pick-up and delivery system providing increased efficiency and safety. The long rail pick-up and delivery system can include a power car, a rail train, a loading car, an unloading car, a transition car and two independent gantries. The dual gantry design allows for simultaneous and independent loading and unloading of long rail on both sides of the long rail pick-up and delivery system. The gantries are operably mounted on a elevated track whereby the gantries are capable to traversing the length of the rail train. The gantries can include booms having multiple degrees of freedom allowing a gripping head to grasp and pull long rail regardless of the resting attitude of the long rail. The long rail pick-up and delivery system can also include additional power cars, an integrated work station and additional gantries.

Abstract: A system for the grinding of unencumbered and encumbered sections of rail includes a locomotive that pulls a first and a second grinding module. The first grinding module is movable between a first and a second position. In the first position, the first grinding module is presented at angle enabling grinding of unencumbered section of rail while in the second position, the first grinding module is presented at an able enabling grinding of the encumbered section of rail. The locomotive continues in non-stop forward motion while the first grinding module is moved back and forth between its first and second positions. The second grinding module is generally used only for grinding of encumbered rail sections and is used simultaneously with the first grinding module in its second position.

Abstract: A snow removal apparatus having a frame, a first snow removal device, and a second snow removal device. The first snow removal device is operably mounted to the frame for removing snow from a front end of the frame. The second snow removal device is operably mounted to the frame for removing snow from a region lateral to a front end of the frame. The first snow removal device and the second snow removal device enable snow to be removed from a width that is wider than a width of the frame.

Abstract: The on site maintenance system for metal railcar wheels enables the user to establish a portable, stationary guide rail system about a remotely located railcar and then through use of a traversing guide rail system and lathe assembly grind the many wheels of a railcar with minimal time. The traversing guide rail system rollingly traverses upon side guide rails of the stationary guide rail system and is clamped to existing rails in a desired position. Likewise, the lathe system rollingly traverses upon the cross-wise guide rails of the traversing guide rail system. The lathe system then additionally provides three axes movement for fine-tune positioning of the lathe bit to achieve a desired grind profile of the metal railcar wheel. The wheel being ground is driven by a drive powered by the railcar or may be driven by an external drive and motor connected to the exterior hub of the wheel.

Abstract: A rail grinding apparatus for use in grinding rails. The rail grinding apparatus includes a transport vehicle and a rail grinding unit. The transport vehicle is capable of moving along the rails or a conventional road. The rail grinding unit is capable of grinding at least one of the rails. The rail grinding unit is movable between a stored position on the transport vehicle and a deployed position on the rails.

Abstract: A grinding stone for grinding a railhead surface of a rail includes abrasive material. The abrasive material has a first side surface and an opposed second side surface. The first and second sides surfaces are joined by a circumferential surface. The circumferential surface is transversely disposed with respect to at least the first side surface. The abrasive material presents a bevelled grinding surface extending from a substantially circular locus of points on the second side surface to a substantially circumferential locus of points on the circumferential surface. A method of re-profiling the railhead surface of a rail includes the steps of:rotating at least one grinding stone;bringing the bevelled grinding surface of the grinding stone into contact with the railhead surface; andadvancing the grinding stone along the rail.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and measurement apparatus for measuring the profile of a railway wheel while the railway wheel is in rolling motion on a rail. The railway wheel has a gage side and a field side and a circumferentially defined running surface and flange. The measurement apparatus comprises a first sensor means that is disposed on the field side of the railway wheel and which is disposed at an included angle with respect to the rail that is less than orthogonal senses the profile of the running surface and flange of the railway wheel at a point on the circumference. A second sensor means is disposed on the gage side of the railway wheel and senses selected wheel parameters. A controller is operably communicatively coupled to the first and second sensor means.

Abstract: A railroad hopper ballast discharge door assembly includes pliant side panels along a discharge gate opening. The pliant side panels are strong enough to retain the ballast within the hopper when the door is closed, yet are flexible enough to yield when ballast flowing out of the hopper becomes wedged between the side panel and the door as the door closes. Strengthening ribs reinforce the pliant side panels and may be embedded within them. The discharge door assembly is readily adapted for automatic, motor-actuated operation.

Abstract: The disclosed shoulder ballast cleaning machine with integrated hopper car is particularly designed to provide for the temporary conveyance and storage of clean ballast. The shoulder ballast cleaning machine digs up the stone ballast of the railroad bed, separates dirt and debris from the ballast, and replaces the cleaned ballast on the railroad bed. The hopper car provides the storage capacity to have ballast on board for deployment on the track bed when the quantity of ballast then being cleaned is inadequate to satisfy the need and to store excess cleaned ballast when the quantity of cleaned ballast exceeds the amount needed to be replaced on the track bed. The hopper car is interposed between the power car and the auxiliary car. A unique conveyor system conveys the fouled ballast from the power car where the ballast is dug up, past the hopper car, to the auxiliary car where the ballast and waste are separated.

Abstract: An ultrasonic rail web centerline detector locates the web centerline (18) of a longitudinal rail (12) having a head (80), a base (82), and a web therebetween. The detector includes an ultrasound sensor (14) acoustically coupled to the head (80) of the rail (12) for transmitting ultrasound energy through the rail (12) and for generating electrical signals corresponding to received reflected ultrasound energy. A controller (16) responsive to the electrical signals generates control signals representative of a lateral and angular displacement of the ultrasound sensor (14) with respect to the web centerline (18) of the rail. The position of the ultrasound sensor is adjusted as a function of the control signals representative of the lateral and angular displacement. The ultrasound sensor includes a center transceiver (30) and side transceivers (32, 34) which are acoustically coupled to the head (80) of the rail (12).