Abstract: The apparatus possesses work locating fixtures or clamping devices for clamping edge areas of hollow cylindrical blanks as well as a facility for pressing together the mutually confronting edges of axial slits of the blanks. One of the jaws of each work locating fixture or clamping device is connected to a source of welding current. To prevent substantial elastic deformations of the apparatus caused by the very high clamping forces of the work locating fixtures or clamping devices as well as compression forces before, during and after welding and to render possible a feeding and removing of the blanks or wheel rim hoops, transverse to the axis of the blanks, each work locating fixture or clamping device possesses two movable clamp or pincer-type partial jaw members which cooperate with an associated fixed clamping jaw.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a continuous railroad track including a mobile welding plant which is comprised of, for example, a string of flat cars for transporting a number of already formed continuous rails, another flat car or the like carrying means such as a winch and other related apparatus for delivering the individual continuous rails to the mobile welding plant, and another flat car or the like transporting a puller or pusher apparatus for controlling the movement of the continuous track which is formed, in and from the mobile welding plant.

Abstract: Welding apparatus for welding railroad rails of a construction such that it is movable plus or minus approximately two feet to compensate for the position of the continuous rail, i.e., the already welded together rail sections, as the latter is removed from the welding apparatus. Accordingly, the entire length of the continuous rail need not be moved to properly position it with respect to the welding apparatus to form or make a subsequent weld.The welding apparatus also is provided with a vertical clamping and aligning system and a horizontal clamping and aligning system, each of which contain pairs of hydraulic cylinders, one of which is larger than the other, with the larger cylinder in each case being operable to a set position with respect to the rail line of the apparatus, to position the rail. The smaller cylinder than operates to effectively clamp the rail against an arm operated by the larger cylinder. Both of the pairs of cylinders are fed from the same source of hydraulic power.

Abstract: Welding apparatus for welding railroad rails is movable plus or minus approximately two feet to compensate for the position of the continuous rail, i.e., the already welded together rail sections, as the latter is removed from the welding apparatus.The welding apparatus also is provided with a vertical clamping and aligning system and a horizontal clamping and aligning system, each of which contain pairs of hydraulic cylinders, one of which is larger than the other, with the larger cylinder in each case being operable to a set position with respect to the rail line of the apparatus, to position the rail. The smaller cylinder then operates to effectively clamp the rail against an arm operated by the larger cylinder. The cylinders are connected in a parallelogram-type arrangement, with the entire arrangement being adjustable by means of still another hydraulic cylinder, for a final alignment adjustment.