Abstract: In a method of tracing a track geometry immediately ahead of a ballast pick-up device of a cleaning machine in a working direction, a first and a second measuring chord are guided on the track by a respective front and rear end point. A versine measured by a first versine sensor of the first measuring chord is stored, in connection with a distance measurement, for registering the rear end point of the first measuring chord as a desired position with respect to a local track point. After the rear end point of the second measuring chord has reached the local track point, the rear end point is displaced until a measurement value corresponding to the stored versine is reached by a second versine sensor, and thus the desired position has been attained.

Abstract: In a freight train comprising at least two like storage cars for bulk material, the storage cars comprising loading containers extending in a longitudinal direction, and the storage cars being supported on undercarriages for movement on a track, each storage car comprises a bottom conveyor band extending in the longitudinal direction for conveying the bulk material in a conveying direction from a rear end to a front end of the loading container, and a transfer conveyor band at the front end of the loading container, the transfer conveyor band being arranged to receive the conveyed bulk material from the bottom conveyor band and projecting from the front end to a preceding one of the two storage cars to transfer the conveyed bulk material to the loading container of the preceding storage car where the transferred bulk material forms a bulk material pile.

Abstract: A track rehabilitation machine comprises an elongated machine frame supported on the track by undercarriages for movement in an operating direction, the machine frame having two ends.

Abstract: A machine for continuously removing old ties of a railroad track supported on a ballast bed includes a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction along the track. Undercarriages support the machine frame for mobility in an operating direction. An apparatus for picking up old ties from the ballast bed is mounted on the machine frame, and a conveyor device for transporting away the picked-up old ties in the longitudinal direction is associated with said apparatus. A tie displacement device having a pushing member is positioned ahead of—with regard to the operating direction—the apparatus for picking up old ties. Drives are, provided for adjusting the pushing member vertically and transversely to the longitudinal direction in order to push an old tie laterally out of the track and onto a ballast bed shoulder.

Abstract: A track bed rehabilitating machine comprises a machine frame supported on a track by undercarriages for movement along the track in an operating direction. The machine frame comprises a first machine frame part, a second machine frame part and a third machine frame part. A first coupling links the second machine frame part to the first machine frame part, a second coupling links the third machine frame part to the second machine frame part, and one of the undercarriages is arranged adjacent the first coupling. Two crawler tractors are spaced from each other in a direction extending transversely to the machine frame and connected to the second machine frame part, and drives connect the crawler tractors to the second machine frame part for vertically adjusting the crawler tractors.

Abstract: A track maintenance machine comprises a machine frame, a track scanning unit adjustable connected to the machine frame and having flanged rollers for moving the track scanning unit along the track, a satellite receiver connected to the machine frame, the satellite receiver having an antenna with an antenna center, a measuring device for monitoring the position of the antenna center relative to the track scanning unit with respect to the following parameters: transverse track tilting (&bgr;), transverse track displacement (d) perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the machine frame, and vertical distance (a), and a computer for a computed repositioning of the antenna center relative to a reference point of the track scanning unit.

Abstract: A ballast cleaning machine comprises a machine frame supported on the track by undercarriages, one of the undercarriages at an end of the machine frame being displaceable in the longitudinal direction. Two vertically and laterally adjustable endless ballast excavating chains are sequentially arranged in the longitudinal direction for excavating ballast from a ballast bed and mounted on the machine frame between the undercarriages, and drives vertically and laterally adjust, and revolve, each endless ballast excavating chain. A respective operator's cab is mounted on the machine frame in view of each endless ballast excavating chain, a control for the drives being arranged in each operator's cab. At least two track lifting devices are mounted on the machine frame, and a screening installation for cleaning ballast is mounted on a car linked to the machine frame.

Abstract: A ballast cleaning machine comprises a first machine frame and a second, trailing machine frame linked thereto. Ends of the machine frames are supported on the track by undercarriages for movement of the machine in an operating direction. A vertically and laterally adjustable endless excavating chain as well as a track lifting device is mounted on each machine frame. An upper layer of the ballast bed is excavated by the first excavating chain, the track is lowered to the remaining ballast bed layer, and the remaining ballast bed layer is immediately thereafter excavated by the second excavating chain. The excavated ballast is cleaned in a common screening installation, and the cleaned ballast is distributed at a trailing end of the second machine frame to the ballast bed.

Abstract: A ballast cleaning machine comprises a machine frame supported on the track by undercarriages for movement in an operating direction. Two vertically and laterally adjustable endless ballast excavating chains are sequentially arranged in a longitudinal direction for excavating ballast from the ballast bed, and a track lifting device mounted on the machine frame.

Abstract: A clearing chain is mounted on a mobile track maintenance machine for excavating ballast material from a track bed. The chain is composed of shovel-type clearing members for gathering the ballast and intermediate chain elements positioned between the adjacent clearing members and connected thereto by means of chain joints, thus forming an endless chain. Each intermediate chain element comprises two chain joints spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction of the clearing chain. The chain joints are designed for receiving a hinge pin articulatedly mounted in the joint and releasably fastened to the clearing member.

Abstract: In a method of renewing ties of a railroad track extending in a longitudinal direction and including a succession of ties supported on a ballast bed, damaged old ties are comminuted either before removal from the track or after removal of the track and subsequently ejected into a storage wagon by a first conveyor device extending longitudinally in the direction of the track. The comminuted ties are then transported via a second conveyor device, extending in the longitudinal direction, to a number of further like storage wagons arranged behind one another, for selectively filling the further storage wagons, whereas new tie replace the removed damaged ties.

Abstract: A mobile machine for clearing ballast from a ballast bed section wherefrom a tie has been removed comprises a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction, undercarriages supporting the machine frame for mobility on a track supported on the ballast bed, and a ballast clearing device vertically adjustably mounted on the machine frame for clearing ballast from the ballast bed section. The ballast clearing device comprises an inner ballast clearing element arranged on the gage side of at least one rail and pivotal by a pivoting drive in a plane extending transversely to the longitudinal direction about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction, and an outer ballast clearing element vertically adjustable by a vertical adjustment drive independent of the inner ballast clearing element and arranged on the field side of the rail.

Abstract: In a first operating stage during which ballast is delivered to a track section delimited by two undercarriages while it is lifted, the length of the track section is extended, and the track section is shortened in a second operating stage during which the ballast is tamped until a desired track level has been obtained.

Abstract: A loading car for bulk materials includes a vehicle undercarriage frame defining a longitudinal axis and including first and second car frames connected to one another by a coupler. Rail undercarriages are provided for supporting the vehicle undercarriage frame for mobility on a railroad track. A carrying frame is mounted on the first and the second car frame by means of swivel rings, with a storage box built on the carrying frame. A bottom conveyor belt having a discharge end is disposed in the storage box, and a transfer conveyor belt extending at an angle to a horizontal plane is associated with the discharge end of the bottom conveyor belt. Disposed between the storage box and the first and second car frames are support members, each of which including two hydraulic cylinders positioned opposite one another transversely to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A bulk loader car (1) comprises a storage box (2) exhibiting a ground conveyor belt (4) and a support frame (3). The storage box (2) is supported on a vehicle undercarriage frame (9), wherein in each case rail undercarriages (12) are disposed on end sides of the vehicle undercarriage frame (9). A transfer conveyor belt (8) is coordinated to a discharge end (6) of the ground conveyor belt (4) disposed at an angle to the horizontal. The vehicle undercarriage frame (9) is composed out of a first and a second car frame (10, 11) connected to each other by a coupler (15). The storage box (2) is supported in each case by a swivel ring (19, 20) on the two car frames (10, 11). One of the swivel rings (19) is supported longitudinally shiftable relative to the car frame (10).

Abstract: A machine for withdrawing bulk material from a track, in particular ballast aterial, includes a bulk material clearing device vertically adjustably secured to a machine frame and including a rotatable, endless scraper chain positioned between the rails of the track immediately above the track. A first conveyor extends in longitudinal direction of the machine frame and has a receiving end which receives bulk material from the clearing device. Immediately trailing the clearing device in the operating direction is a vertically adjustable sweeping device which includes a sweeping broom rotatable about a pivot axis extending horizontal and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the machine frame. A second conveyor immediately trails the sweeping device in the longitudinal direction of the machine frame and includes a receiving end for receiving bulk material from the sweeping broom.

Abstract: A crane carrying vehicle for transporting track ties comprises an elongated machine frame supported on undercarriages for movement on rails in an operating direction, the machine frame comprising a storage section for temporarily storing track ties and having two side walls extending in this direction, the side walls being spaced from each other in a transverse direction extending perpendicularly to the operating direction by a distance corresponding at least to the length of the track ties. A track tie supporting platform in the storage section may be tilted between a horizontally extending loading position and an unloading position extending at an angle to the loading position, and the vehicle carries a power-adjustable pivotal crane outrigger with a gripping device for gripping track ties.

Abstract: A machine for aspirating ballast from a bed supporting a track comprises a machine frame and undercarriages supporting the machine frame on the track for mobility therealong. A vacuum generator and a ballast storage receptacle are mounted on the machine frame. A suction tube is connected to the vacuum generator, the suction tube terminating in a tubular end section having a longitudinal axis and defining a suction opening at one end thereof for aspirating the ballast, the tubular end section being rotatable about the longitudinal axis. A displacement mechanism attaches the suction tube to the machine frame for vertically and transversely displacing the tubular suction tube end section, the displacement mechanism comprising drives for vertically and transversely displacing the tubular suction tube end section, and a drive is provided for rotating the tubular suction tube end section in a direction of rotation.

Abstract: An excavating and conveying chain assembly for transporting ballast of a track includes a plurality of chain links hingedly connected to each other for traveling along a transport path. Connected to each chain link is a scraper blade which has a link-distal end formed with a plurality of projecting scraper fingers. Each scraper finger is of two-part configuration, with a first part being formed by an engagement member secured to the scraper blade and jutting out therefrom in a finger-like manner, and with a second part being formed by a protective cap that is pushed onto the engagement member and detachably secured thereto by a fastener.

Abstract: A machine for treating a ballast bed underneath a track comprises a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction and supported on the track by undercarriages for movement in an operating direction, a suction unit mounted on the machine frame, the suction unit comprising a vertically and laterally adjustable suction pipe having a suction opening for aspirating ballast from the ballast bed, a conveyor band arranged on the machine frame to convey the aspirated ballast away from the suction unit, and a ballast discharge device mounted on the machine frame rearwardly of the suction pipe in the operating direction, the ballast discharge device comprising a hopper. A conveyor arrangement extends in the longitudinal direction on the machine frame and has an input end arranged to receive the aspirated ballast from the conveyor band and an output end arranged to discharge the aspirated ballast into the hopper.