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: A mobile track maintenance machine comprising a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction and supported on a track by undercarriages, track working tools mounted on the machine frame, a sound-proofing wall arranged on the machine frame and having an upper end, a lower end and side ends spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction and connecting the upper and lower ends, and drive means for adjusting the sound-proofing wall relative to the machine frame.

Abstract: An arrangement of an excavating chain for conveying ballast of a track bed comprises a guide comprising a transverse guide section articulately connected to longitudinal guide sections defining a guide channel having an end glide track along which the excavating chain is guided. The end glide track of the transverse guide section is curved around the joints connecting the ends of the transverse guide section to the adjoining longitudinal guide sections, the end glide track enclosing an acute dihedral angle ? with an imaginary plane of elongation of the end glide track of a respective one of the longitudinal guide sections whereby the excavating chain is deflected from the transverse to the longitudinal guide sections solely by contact with the end glide track.

Abstract: A method for the contactless scanning of a track bed profile extending perpendicularly to a longitudinal extension of the track, comprises the steps of simultaneously effectuating the scanning and a measurement of any deviation from a desired track level at a location of the scanning, recording the scanned track bed profile, and calculating an amount of ballast required for raising the track to the desired track level and for uniformly distributing the ballast in the track bed in dependence on the measured track level deviation and the recorded scanned track bed profile.

Abstract: A tamping tool unit for tamping ballast under a respective one of a succession of ties of a railroad track comprises a frame extending in a longitudinal direction, a pair of tamping tool levers mounted on the frame for pivoting about pivot axes in a plane extending in the longitudinal direction, a reciprocating drive connected to each tamping tool lever for pivoting the tamping tool lever, and a tamping pick at a lower end of each tamping tool lever. A guide on at least one of the tamping tool levers is provided for displacing the tamping pick in a direction extending perpendicularly to the pivot axis of the at least one tamping tool lever, and a fixing device is provided for fixing the tamping pick on the lower tamping tool lever end.

Abstract: A control system for monitoring a work train for performing track maintenance operations has a computer connected to receive information from a multitude of work vehicles constituting the work train. A respective vehicle identifying device is associated with each work vehicle, the vehicle identifying device being connected communicate with the computer (e.g., via a control line) and configured for storing vehicle characteristics defining the respective work vehicle. The computer connected to the control line includes a display for visually indicating, in the case of a malfunction report concerning a particular work vehicle, the respective vehicle characteristics in connection with the position of the respective vehicle within the work train.

Abstract: A machine for installing a catenary cable of an electrical catenary of a track includes a machine frame, supported for mobility on the track by undercarriages, and a storage drum containing the rolled-up catenary cable which is pulled off the storage drum during installation with a pull-off force, the storage drum being mounted on an auxiliary frame. A vertically adjustable deflection roller is provided for guiding the catenary cable during installation. A friction winch serves for creating a pull-off resistance counteracting the pull-off force when the catenary cable is pulled off the storage drum during installation, thus producing an installation tension. The friction winch is arranged between the storage drum and the deflection roller and is mounted on a winch frame which is connected to the auxiliary frame. A force sensor for measuring the installation tension is positioned between the winch frame and the auxiliary frame in order to keep the desired installation tension stable.

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 tamping tine has a flat inclined tine surface that encloses an acute angle with a front surface of a tine plate at the lower end of a shank. The inclined tine surface is delimited, with regard to a longitudinal direction of the tamping tine, by a bottom edge of the tine plate and by a shank section line defined by an intersection of the inclined tine surface with the entire rear portion of the shank. A reference line on the inclined tine surface is distanced farther from an upper end point—positioned at the maximum distance from the bottom edge of the tine plate—of the inclined tine surface than from a shank end line. This ensures an easier penetration by the tamping tine into the ballast and it provides for an improved attachment of hardened metal plates for providing abrasion resistance.

Abstract: A machine is configured for tamping a track composed of rails that are fastened to ties resting on ballast. The rails extend in a longitudinal direction and have a field side and a gauge side, respectively, and the ballast forms tie supports located on the field side and the gauge side. The machine has a centerline extending in the longitudinal direction and comprises tamping units mounted opposite one another transversely of the longitudinal direction, each tamping unit having four tamping tine pairs composed of tamping tines and squeeze drives. The tamping tine pairs are arranged one following the other in the longitudinal direction and positioned, alternating in the longitudinal direction, at a shorter distance from the centerline for tamping tie supports located on the gauge side of the rails, and at a longer distance from the centerline for tamping tie supports located at the field side of the rails.

Abstract: An arrangement of an excavating chain for conveying ballast of a track bed comprises a guide comprising a transverse guide section articulately connected to longitudinal guide sections defining a guide channel having an end glide track along which the excavating chain is guided. The longitudinal guide sections are connected to the ends of the transverse guide section joints arranged below the second plane extending centrally through the end glide track and the excavating chain is deflected solely from the transverse to the longitudinal guide sections by frictional contact with the end glide track adjacent the joints.

Abstract: An arrangement of an excavating chain for conveying ballast of a track bed comprises a guide comprising a transverse guide section articulately connected to longitudinal guide sections defining a guide channel having an end glide track along which the excavating chain is guided. The longitdunal guide sections are connected to the ends of the transverse guide section joints arranged below the second plane extending centrally through the end glide track and the excavating chain is deflected solely from the transverse to the longitudinal guide sections by frictional contact with the end glide track adjacent the joints.

Abstract: An arrangement of an excavating chain for conveying ballast of a track bed comprises a guide comprising a transverse guide section articulately connected to longitudinal guide sections defining a guide channel having an end glide track along which the excavating chain is guided. The end glide track of the transverse guide section is curved around the joints connecting the ends of the transverse guide section to the adjoining longitudinal guide sections, the end glide track enclosing an acute dihedral angle ? with an imaginary plane of elongation of the end glide track of a respective one of the longitudinal guide sections whereby the excavating chain is deflected from the transverse to the longitudinal guide sections solely by contact with the end glide track.

Abstract: A control system for monitoring a work train for performing track maintenance operations has a computer connected to receive information from a multitude of work vehicles constituting the work train. A respective vehicle identifying device is associated with each work vehicle, the vehicle identifying device being connected communicate with the computer (e.g., via a control line) and configured for storing vehicle characteristics defining the respective work vehicle. The computer connected to the control line includes a display for visually indicating, in the case of a malfunction report concerning a particular work vehicle, the respective vehicle characteristics in connection with the position of the respective vehicle within the work train.

Abstract: Adaptation to varying distances between successive ties is facilitated with a ballast tamping unit for tamping ballast under successive ties of a railroad track, which comprises a frame extending in a longitudinal direction, and tamping tool arms mounted on the frame for pivoting about an axis extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, the tamping tool arms having at least one recess at a lower end thereof for receiving and affixing a tamping pick arranged to be immersed in the ballast between two adjacent ties, and at least one of the tamping tool arms having two such recesses arranged successively in the longitudinal direction for selectively receiving and affixing the tamping pick. A reciprocating drive is connected to an upper end of each tamping tool arm for pivoting the tamping tool arm about the axis in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A tamping machine for tamping ballast underneath track ties includes a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction and supported on the track by two undercarriages. Arranged between the undercarriages is a sub-frame which is supported on the track by a further undercarriage with a unit motive drive and connected to the machine frame by a frame support for displacement relative thereto in the longitudinal direction. A tamping unit and a track lifting unit are arranged on the sub-frame between the further undercarriage and the frame support. Operation of the unit motive drive to displace the sub-frame is assisted by an acceleration drive which is rigidly connected to the machine frame and has a piston end with a bracing plunger provided for temporary application to the sub-frame. A maximum stroke of the acceleration drive is shorter than a maximum displacement path of the sub-frame relative to the machine frame.

Abstract: In a machine for removing an old track and laying a new track, which comprises a device for receiving old ties, a first conveyor device arranged adjacent thereto for conveying the old ties away from the device for receiving the old ties, and a second conveyor device for conveying new ties to a device for laying new ties, a transfer device having a power-driven, vertically adjustable transfer element for selectively transferring old ties from the first to the second conveyor device is arranged.

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 tamping tool unit for tamping ballast under a respective one of a succession of ties of a railroad track comprises a frame extending in a longitudinal direction, a pair of tamping tool levers mounted on the frame for pivoting about pivot axes in a plane extending in the longitudinal direction, a reciprocating drive connected to each tamping tool lever for pivoting the tamping tool lever, and a tamping pick at a lower end of each tamping tool lever. A guide on at least one of the tamping tool levers is provided for displacing the tamping pick in a direction extending perpendicularly to the pivot axis of the at least one tamping tool lever, and a fixing device is provided for fixing the tamping pick on the lower tamping tool lever end.