Abstract: Apparatus for removing elastic rail fasteners of the kind that are applied transversely of the rail. The apparatus removes two fasteners simultaneously from a rail seat. The apparatus comprises a carrier frame (10) having a pair of opposed abutment plates (14 and 15) which move arcuately parallel to the rail (12). Associated with each plate (14 or 15) is an extraction lever (26a and 26b) which moves arcuately transverse to the rail. The abutment plates align the apparatus with the fastener (40), compress the arms (44) of the fastener (40) and the extraction levers (26a and 26b) pull the fasteners (40) from the rail seat.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying elastic rail fasteners to a rail seat in which the fasteners are applied in a direction at right angles to the rail. A carriage supports a pivoted frame which can be rotated to align with a rail tie. Each end of the frame carries a pair of dependent arms and each pair is moved hydraulically. Abutment faces on the ends of the dependent arms contact the rail fasteners and the simultaneous contraction of each pair results in the fitting of four rail fasteners in one application. Rail tie position sensors are provided adjacent the abutment faces for correctly aligning the frame with the rail tie.

Abstract: A rail to tie fastening including an elastic clip (12) a clip holder (15) and a locking element (6). The locking element (6) being interposed between the foot of the rail (11) and the clip holder (15) and, between the foot of the rail (11) and the clip (12) and is forced by the clip (12) against the foot (11). The locking element (6) is so shaped that any movement of the locking element (6) parallel to the rail (11), induced by longitudinal movement of the rail (11), results in the locking element (6) wedging between the clip holder (15) and the foot of the rail (11) so increasing lateral pressure on the rail to prevent further longitudinal rail movement.

Abstract: A rail fastening system for securing rails to rail ties in which an elastic fastener is used. The fastener has one portion which lies on the rail flange and a second portion which seats within a support secured to the rail tie. The fastener comprises a base portion which seats within the support and two tapered arms which are curved over the base so that the free ends of the tapered arms lie on the rail flange. The support is located adjacent the rail flange and a locking element fits between the rail flange and the support and is shaped to interfit with the support in a wedge-like relationship such that longitudinal rail movement acting on the locking element is translated into a lateral force to prevent longitudinal rail movement.