Abstract: An impact hammer support 10 to be used in conjunction with an impact hammer 11 to aid in inserting a spike or fastener 12 into a wooden sleeper or cross tie 13. The support has a guide bushing 15 to slidably receive the driving tool 14. Attached to the bushing 15 is a bracket 19 which is pivotally supported by a foot pedal 23 to be engaged by the user. The impact hammer support 10 has the object of aiding in alignment of the impact hammer 11 with the spike or fastener 12.

Abstract: An insert for a resilient rail fastening system, including a shank terminating at its lower end with an abutment to engage a lower surface of a base plate supporting a rail, the shank having at its upper end downwardly facing clip engaging surfaces which engage a resilient clip so as to cause compression thereof so that the rail engaged by the clip is biased into engagement with the base plate.

Abstract: Welding methods and articles are disclosed for securing railroad rails to supporting surfaces including a retaining stud, an arc shield for use in welding the retaining stud, a rail clip for securing the rail and tools for installing and removing the clip. The retaining stud is a T-shaped stud with a rectangular stem and head, the under surface of which forms an arcuate reaction surface. The stud is welded by the arc stud welding technique in which the method of controlled time and current controls the ultimate weld height and angulation of the stud. The welding is in conjunction with an arc shield, the face of which is complementary to the surface being welded and which includes a weld fillet cavity configured to provide constant weld fillet volume. The rail clip is generally U-shaped with a straight backed heel. In a preferred embodiment, the upper and lower limbs overlie one another and are bifurcated and straddle and cooperate with the stem of the stud.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cleat (sometimes referred to as a "rail fastening clip") utilized for the purpose of positioning and retaining a rail to a sleeper (sometimes referred to as a "tie"). In this invention a rail cleat comprises a spring plate having a configuration such that when retained at an intermediate locality, a rail-bearing end bears against the upper surface of the foot of the rail while a tail bears against a sleeper or a bearing pad thereon, an upstanding loop standing upwardly from a sleeper, and a locking pin passing through the loop and bearing against the intermediate locality of the cleat so as to urge the cleat downwardly against the foot of the rail.