Abstract: A rail maintenance of way machine for a route is provided that includes a single chassis supporting a plurality of working modules. The modules include at least a broom module that can manipulate ballast and loose material that are disposed on a location of the route adjacent to the chassis a spike supply module that can provide a fastener; a tie spiker module that can receive the fastener from the spike supply module and to drive the supplied fastener through an aperture defined by a tie plate and into a replacement tie; and an anchor module that can remove an installed anchor from an installed tie and to install an anchor onto the replacement tie.

Abstract: A plate retainer apparatus is provided for use on a railroad track with a tie exchanger having a main frame, the apparatus configured for gripping and retaining rail tie plates to a rail during a rail tie exchange process. The plate retainer apparatus includes a plate retainer workhead constructed and arranged for movement independent of that of the main frame. Included on the workhead is a pair of workhead modules, each module associated with a rail of the track and configured for retaining a single tie plate associated with a target tie at a time. Each workhead module is movable relative to the main frame independently of each other.

Abstract: A multi-function rail maintenance system is provided for performing a sequence of rail maintenance operations on a targeted portion of a railroad track, including at least two function specific modules, each module being movable along the track and having a designated number of function-specific workheads; each module including a coupling assembly for connecting the modules together and for maintaining a specific separation distance; at least one operator cab on at least one module; and a control system on at least one module associated with the at least one operator cab, and connected to each module for controlling and coordinating operation of the workheads, and for maintaining the specific separation distance.

Abstract: A plate retainer apparatus is provided for use on a railroad track with a tie exchanger having a main frame, the apparatus configured for gripping and retaining rail tie plates to a rail during a rail tie exchange process. The plate retainer apparatus includes a plate retainer workhead constructed and arranged for movement independent of that of the main frame. Included on the workhead is a pair of workhead modules, each module associated with a rail of the track and configured for retaining a single tie plate associated with a target tie at a time. Each workhead module is movable relative to the main frame independently of each other.