Abstract: There is provided a tool for stone-blowing comprising upper and lower mating parts (13, 14), the upper part being tubular and the lower part being mainly of channel section and having its lower end closed off by a transverse wall. The wall is shaped internally (19) to direct stones laterally and is shaped externally (22) to facilitate driving the tool into the ground adjacent a sleeper (33) so that the open front of the channel communicates with a void (34) beneath the sleeper. On the upper part is a hopper (11) for stones and below the hopper opening into the upper part is a compressed air inlet (26) and a port (24). In use, compressed air is directed at the rear wall and entrains air through the port (24) and the hopper (11) thereby propelling the stones down the tool and through the open front of the channel and into the void (34).

Abstract: There is provided a void/lift meter (10) comprising a shaft (14) extending from a base member (13) and a bracket (16) having a claw portion (22) and upper and lower portions (17),(18) disposed on said shaft for axial movement therealong. An arm (24) is slidably mounted in said bracket and is formed with a second claw portion (27) at one end which portion is biased towards said first claw portion (22) for clamping therebetween a rail. Between the upper and lower portions (17),(18) is a collar which is a friction fit on said shaft. The meter is used to measure the void under a railway sleeper and to ensure that the track is jacked up to the correct height to allow extra ballast to be introduced under the sleeper.