Abstract: A rail fastening system is provided. The rail fastening system includes a fastener including a baseplate and at least one of clamp. The at least one clamp mounts with the baseplate and extends under a rail of a railroad to abut against a flange of the rail opposite a flange adjacent to the baseplate. Certain embodiments of the fastener include adjustment teeth to finely adjust the positioning of the clamps relative to the baseplate. Certain other embodiments of the fastener include slotted clamps that receive a baseplate.

Abstract: A railroad tie hardware removing apparatus and methods are provided. The apparatus includes one or more tool mechanisms each carrying one or more tools. The tools are positionable relative to a mounting structure or tower of a concrete railroad tie to remove the tower therefrom. Once the towers are removed, the tie can be pulled from underneath rails supported by the tie.

Abstract: A high rail excavator is provided. The high rail excavator includes at least one high rail mechanism to elevate the high rail excavator relative to the rails of a railroad track. The high rail mechanism is disposed within an envelope of the tracks, thereby increasing the maneuverability and safety of the high rail excavator. The high rail mechanism includes a power control arrangement that integrates with a power supply of the excavator so that an additional power supply dedicated to the high rail mechanism is not required.

Abstract: A rail fastening system is provided. The rail fastening system includes a fastener including a baseplate and at least one of clamp. The at least one clamp mounts with the baseplate and extends under a rail of a railroad to abut against a flange of the rail opposite a flange adjacent to the baseplate. Certain embodiments of the fastener include adjustment teeth to finely adjust the positioning of the clamps relative to the baseplate. Certain other embodiments of the fastener include slotted clamps that receive a baseplate.

Abstract: A high rail excavator is provided. The high rail excavator includes at least one high rail mechanism to elevate the high rail excavator relative to the rails of a railroad track. The high rail mechanism is disposed within an envelope of the tracks, thereby increasing the maneuverability and safety of the high rail excavator. The high rail mechanism includes a power control arrangement that integrates with a power supply of the excavator so that an additional power supply dedicated to the high rail mechanism is not required.

Abstract: A railroad tie hardware removing apparatus and methods are provided. The apparatus includes one or more tool mechanisms each carrying one or more tools. The tools are positionable relative to a mounting structure or tower of a concrete railroad tie to remove the tower therefrom. Once the towers are removed, the tie can be pulled from underneath rails supported by the tie.

Abstract: A composite item is fabricated in system that includes a layer of preform, supply of resin, mandrel, and bagging film. The layer of preform corresponds to the composite item. The supply of resin is sufficient to infuse the preform. The mandrel includes a preform receiving zone to receive the layer of preform and a resin receiving zone to receive the supply of resin. The resin receiving zone is adjacent to the preform receiving zone. The bagging film is operable to generate an envelope surrounding the preform receiving zone and the resin receiving zone.

Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing fiber-reinforced resin parts are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced resin part includes positioning a plurality of fibers on a mold surface of a female tool, and covering the fibers with a sealing layer. The method further includes pressing a portion of the covered fibers against an interior transition region (e.g., an internal radius) of the mold surface. While the portion of covered fibers is pressed against the interior transition region, air is removed from between the sealing layer and the mold surface to draw at least a partial vacuum between the sealing layer and the mold surface.

Abstract: By evacuating the resin feed tank to a pressure below atmospheric pressure, employing cyclic compaction, and controlling the net compaction pressure, we are better able to control a resin infusion process, particularly a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process, and produce aerospace-grade fiber-reinforced resin composite having fiber volume fractions and tool-side surface finishes comparable to or exceeding those made using an autoclave.