Abstract: The invention relates to a method for tamping sleepers of a track by means of a tamping assembly comprising at least two tamping units which have tamping tools lying opposite one another in each case and supported on a lowerable tool carrier, wherein the tamping tools—actuated with a vibration—are lowered into a ballast bed during a tamping operation and squeezed towards one another via squeezing drives. In this, for tamping an obliquely-lying sleeper, the tamping tools or tamping tool pairs in a raised position are moved via a control by means of the squeezing drives in the squeezing direction with different adjustment paths in such a manner that the free ends of the tamping tools or tamping tool pairs rotate approximately about a common vertical rotation axis in order to adapt themselves to the oblique position of the sleeper. With this method according to the invention, the necessity of a separate mechanical rotation device is eliminated.

Abstract: A tamping assembly for a track-tamping machine tamping tools designed as rocker arm pairs. Each tamping tool has a pick arm mounted on a support so as to be pivotally adjustable about a pivot axis and with a hydraulic drive engaging one end and a pick on the other end. The pick arm is of single web design and is mounted on the pivot axis between two axis supports assigned to the support. A pick holder is between the pick arm and the pick. The pick holder is mounted on the pick arm to be pivotally adjustable about an adjustment axis by a pivot drive. The adjustment axis is perpendicular to the pivot axis, and the point of attack of the hydraulic drive on the pick arm, the longitudinal axis of the pick arm, and the adjustment axis lie in a common plane between the axis supports.

Abstract: A tamping assembly (1) for a track tamping machine is proposed comprising tamping tool pairs (3), which are arranged on a girder (7) guided vertically adjustable in a tamping assembly frame and are formed as swing arms, and the lower tamping pick ends (10) of which intended for plunging into a ballast bed (4) are drivable using an oscillation drive and are hydraulically closable toward one another, wherein a hydraulic cylinder (11) and possibly a distance sensor (7) for determining the hydraulic cylinder position are associated with each of the tamping tools (3) of a tamping tool pair, and the hydraulic cylinders (11) form both the linear closing drive and also the oscillation drive of the tamping tools (3), and wherein electrohydraulic valves (25) are provided for actuation of the hydraulic cylinders (11), which comprise a mechanical hydraulic cylinder actuation valve part (12) and an associated valve electronic unit (13).

Abstract: The invention relates to a tamping assembly for tamping sleepers of a track, comprising a tamping unit having oppositely positioned tamping tools which are mounted on a lowerable tool carrier and connected in each case to a squeezing drive for generating a squeezing motion, wherein an eccentric drive having an eccentric shaft is provided for generating a vibratory motion. In this, it is provided that each squeezing drive is supported on a console having a ring-shaped housing section which is mounted on an eccentric section, associated with the squeezing drive, of the eccentric shaft.

Abstract: A tamping unit for tamping sleepers of a track includes a lowerable tool carrier and oppositely positioned tamping tools. Each tamping tool is connected via a pivot arm to a squeezing drive for producing a squeezing motion and to an electric vibration drive for producing a vibratory motion. The electric vibration drive includes an eccentric shaft which, together with a rotor of an electric motor, is mounted merely in an eccenter housing. A stator of the electric motor with a motor housing is flange-mounted to the eccenter housing. As a result of the omission of a separate motor mounting, the motor housing has a particularly small overall depth.

Abstract: A method performs compaction of a track ballast bed by use of a tamping unit having two oppositely positioned tamping tools which, actuated with a vibration, are lowered into the track ballast bed during a tamping operation and moved towards one another with a squeezing motion. In this, it is provided that at least one variable vibration parameter is specified in dependence on a duration of penetration into the track ballast bed, until a required penetration depth of the tamping tools has been reached.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling a track maintenance machine, particularly a switch tamping- or universal tamping machine, which moves along a track and has working units, particularly a tamping unit and a lifting unit, which are adjustable relative to a machine frame, wherein position data of track objects, particularly sleepers, rails and optionally obstacles, are recorded by means of a sensor device in front of the working units in a working direction, and wherein operating positions of the working units are determined for a working operation at a track location. In this, prior to actuation of the working units, the determined operating positions of the working units are displayed by means of a display device, wherein, prior to carrying out the working operation, the operating positions of the working units can be changed by means of control elements.

Abstract: A rail tie plate retaining workhead is provided for use in conjunction with a rail tie replacement machine moving along a railroad track having a pair of rails. The workhead includes a workhead frame configured for movement along the track relative to the rail tie replacement machine, and a pair of plate retaining frames, each frame associated with a respective one of the rails, and being connected to the workhead frame. Each plate retaining frame has at least one rail guide wheel connected to the retaining frame using a fluid powered cylinder, the wheels vertically reciprocating between an extended position, in which the workhead is raised to a travel position, and a retracted position, in which the workhead is lowered to a working position in operational relationship with at least one targeted rail tie plate.

Abstract: In order to locate points or lines of interest (A, B, C, D, A?, B?, C?, D?, 162, 163, 164) of a railway track (22), by means of a railway locating system (12), progressing on the railway track (22), a linear camera (26) pointing at the railway track (22) repeatedly acquires instantaneous linear optical data along an instantaneous measurement line (50), and an orientation device (52) of the railway locating system (12) repeatedly acquires orientation data of the railway locating system (12) with respect to a reference line (22A) of the railway track (22).

Abstract: In order to position a set of one or more tools supported by a railway intervention vehicle progressing on a railway track, data is received characterising a curvilinear abscissa of a spatial indexation marker, a positioning of the spatial indexation marker with respect to a reference line of the railway track, and coordinates of points or lines of interest in a two-dimensional reference system. Transposition matrix cameras acquire transposition bitmap images in a spatial reference system of the transposition system. An odometer acquires progression data of the transposition system. Then the spatial indexation marker is identified as a function of the progression data and curvilinear abscissa data, to determine data characteristic of the spatial indexation marker and the reference line in the spatial reference system of the transposition chassis, and to calculate transposed coordinates of the points or lines of interest.

Abstract: A method for maintenance of a permanent way, roadway or travel path for rail vehicles includes determining the actual condition of the permanent way by using a measuring system to record measurement data. Objects along the permanent way are detected from the measurement data by using an evaluation device. A detected object is assigned to an object class, and at least one object class identification linked with positional data is stored in a database for a detected object. The actual condition of the permanent way is thus stored in an object-based manner, and a comparison with a target condition or with historic actual conditions is used for the planning and execution of maintenance measures. A maintenance system for executing the method is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tamping unit (1) for tamping sleepers (2) of a track (3), having a tool carrier (6) mounted on an assembly frame (12) for vertical adjustment by means of a drive (10), having pairs of two oppositely positioned tamping tools (5) which are squeezable towards one another about a respective pivot axis (4) as well as designed to be set in vibrations by a vibration drive (8). In this, it is provided that a vibration drive (11) is associated with the drive (10), the vibration drive setting the tamping tools in a vibration which is effective vertically.

Abstract: A tamping machine includes at least one first tamping unit with first tamping tools and a first hydraulic motor provided with a first drive shaft driving the first tamping tools so as to generate tamping movements, and a second tamping unit adjacent the first tamping unit with second tamping tools and a second hydraulic motor provided with a second drive shaft driving the second tamping tools so as to generate tamping movements. The first hydraulic motor and the second hydraulic motor are supplied with power by a common synchronized hydraulic power supply system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tamping unit (1) for tamping sleepers (3) of a track (4), comprising oppositely positioned tamping tools (14, 17) which are connected in each case to a squeezing cylinder (9, 15) for generating a squeezing motion, wherein an eccentric drive (11) is provided for generating a vibratory motion. In this, it is provided that a first squeezing cylinder (9) is connected mechanically to the eccentric drive (11), and that a first pressure chamber (18) of the first squeezing cylinder (9) is connected hydraulically via a connecting line (22, 27) to a second pressure chamber (20) of a second squeezing cylinder (15) in order to transmit a pressure change, generated in the first pressure chamber (18) by means of the eccentric drive (11), to the second pressure chamber (20).

Abstract: Ballast (3) located underneath of sleepers of a track is compacted by immersion and squeezing of compacting tools (7) set in vibrations. The vibrations introduced into the ballast (3) during the compacting process are registered as a measure of the ballast compaction. Thus, it is possible to obtain a homogenously compacted track even in the event of different ballast characteristics.

Abstract: A track maintenance machine, constructed to be mobile on a track, for consolidation of a ballast bed underneath a track, includes a machine frame supported on an undercarriage and a consolidating device, connected to the machine frame, which includes at least one consolidating element constructed to be lowered. The consolidating element is constructed as a consolidating plate which, in a working position, is larger in a longitudinal direction of the track than a distance between two sleepers of the track, and the consolidating plate is disposed to be rotatable in order to turn the consolidating plate into a passing position for lowering or raising between two sleepers. A method for consolidation of the ballast bed underneath a track by using a track maintenance machine is also provided.

Abstract: A workhead assembly for use in rail applications may comprise a frame and two pairs of workheads, wherein each pair of workheads is disposed on opposing sides of the frame and carries tamping tools. The workhead assembly may further include two vertically-oriented actuators being disposed on opposing sides of the frame. Two pairs of linkage arms are coupled between the vertically-oriented actuator and a pair of tamping arms. Each pair of linkage arms are disposed on opposing sides of the frame. Actuation of the linkage arms imparts movement to the tamping tools.

Abstract: A tamping unit for tamping a track has tamping tines which are designed for immersion into a ballast bed and which can be set in vibrations by a vibration drive. The vibration drive includes a housing in which a shaft including an eccentric is arranged for rotation about a shaft axis. A transmission element for transmitting a vibratory motion is mounted on the eccentric. The eccentric is connected to the shaft in a rotation-locked and radially displaceable manner, wherein the position of the eccentric relative to the shaft is adjustable in radial direction by an adjustment device. Thus, while retaining the advantages of an eccentric drive, it is possible to adjust vibration parameters during operation.

Abstract: Provided in a tamping unit for tamping a track are squeezing drives (14) for a squeezing motion of tamping tines. In a hydraulic cylinder (19)—having a squeezing piston (17) with a piston rod (18)—of the squeezing drive (14), a first pressure chamber (20) for producing the squeezing motion (8) is provided. Additionally arranged is a second pressure chamber (21) for producing an opening motion directed opposite to the squeezing motion, and a third pressure chamber (22) provided for producing vibrations.

Abstract: During the tamping of a switch, a switch section delimited by two adjacent sleepers is photographed in a front machine section for producing a reference photo, and the photo is stored. The stored reference photo is automatically made available on a monitor, positioned in a work cabin, for observation by an operator as soon as the tamping tools are situated above the section of the switch shown by the reference photo.

Abstract: Two squeezing drives, each connected via a joint to a tamping tine of a tamping unit, are connected to one another—unchangeably with regard to their position relative one another—to form a drive unit. The latter has a sliding bearing, situated between the two joints, which is freely movable in vertical direction in a bearing guide connected to the tine carrier.

Abstract: A method for renewal of a track includes picking up a plurality of old track panels using a crane jib projecting over the track from a train end of a work train and depositing the old track panels on the work train, thus creating a renewal gap delimited by a gap beginning and a gap end. New ballast is introduced with the aid of the crane jib into the gap end of the renewal gap. Subsequently, a new track panel pre-deposited on the work train is placed by the crane jib on the graded ballast of the gap end. A work train for renewal of a track is also provided.

Abstract: A tamping unit includes tamping tines and a squeezing drive for squeezing the tamping tines. A vibration exciter has an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder. The inner cylinder is disposed coaxially to a cylinder axis and is mounted for displacement in an axial direction along sliding or gliding surfaces in the outer cylinder. A ring-shaped recess is provided between the two sliding or gliding surfaces which are spaced from one another in the axial direction. A spacer ring, which subdivides the ring-shaped recess into two fluid channels, is connected selectively to the inner or outer cylinder. The fluid channels are spaced from one another relative to the axial direction. The two fluid channels can be hydraulically actuated alternatingly by feed lines for vibration excitation.

Abstract: A tamper cart system for transporting a mechanical tamper includes a mechanical tamper. The mechanical tamper has a handle, a body and a compression plate. A cart is provided and the cart is rolled along a support surface. The mechanical tamper is selectively positioned on the cart. Thus, the mechanical tamper is transportable by an individual. A handle is movably coupled to the cart.

Abstract: A tamping machine for compacting the ballast bed of a track comprises at least two tamping units for each side of the tamping machine, which units can be displaced transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the tamping machine by means of a transversal displacement device. At least two guides, in particular motion bars or sliding tubes are associated with both tamping units of each side of the tamping machine, said guides being offset in relation to one another with respect to their height and in the longitudinal direction of the tamping machine. Each outer tamping unit and its associated guides can be displaced transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tamping machine using an adjusting drive and the inner tamping unit can be displaced on the same guides, independently of the outer tamping unit, transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tamping machine using an adjusting drive.

Abstract: In a tamping unit for tamping sleepers of a track, both squeezing drives of a tamping tine pair are articulatedly connected to a common connecting carrier. A vibration exciter fastened to the tine carrier is connected to the connecting carrier, likewise fastened to the tine carrier, for transmission of tamping tine vibrations from the connecting carrier to the squeezing drives and the tamping tines.

Abstract: A workhead assembly for use in rail applications may comprise a frame and two pairs of workheads, wherein each pair of workheads is disposed on opposing sides of the frame and carries tamping tools. The workhead assembly may further include two vertically-oriented actuators being disposed on opposing sides of the frame. Two pairs of linkage arms are coupled between the vertically-oriented actuator and a pair of tamping arms. Each pair of linkage arms are disposed on opposing sides of the frame. Actuation of the linkage arms imparts movement to the tamping tools.

Abstract: A rail vehicle includes a rail vehicle frame, a pocket, a first beam, a second beam, an endplate, an actuator and a workhead carrier. The pocket is coupled to a frame portion of the rail vehicle frame. The first beam is disposed in a cavity defined by the pocket. The second beam is disposed proximal to the first beam. The end plate couples the first beam and the second beam. The actuator extends the first and second beams such that the end plate is displaced transversely with respect to the rail vehicle frame. The work head carrier is operable to translate along the first and second beams and couple the second beam to the frame portion.

Abstract: A tamping assembly for a track tamping machine comprises a carrier guided in a height-adjustable manner with respect to a tamping assembly frame along guides, on which carrier pairs of tamping tools formed as oscillating levers are pivotably mounted, the tamping tools of which can be oppositely driven by an oscillation drive and can be hydraulically adjusted relative to one another, said tamping tools being intended for introduction into a ballast bed. To reduce the number of required drives, several of the tamping tools are combined into tamping units with a compartment between them engaging around a rail and are mechanically connected to each other, and each oscillating lever is associated with a tamping unit and an adjusting drive, wherein the guides, especially the guide rods, act directly on the respective carrier and run in fixed guides of the tamping assembly frame.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a communication interface programmed to communicate with a plurality of platooning vehicles, including a rear vehicle, and receive sensor signals transmitted from the rear vehicle. The vehicle system further includes a processor programmed to command the rear vehicle to turn around and programmed to output control signals to the plurality of platooning vehicles. The control signals control at least one of the plurality platooning vehicles to travel in a reverse direction according to the sensor signals received from the rear vehicle.

Abstract: A tamping machine, particularly for regenerating railway ballasts, includes: a supporting frame, a vibrating tamping hammer pivoted to the frame, and a hydraulic actuator engaged with a thrusting portion of the tamping hammer. The actuator includes first and second axially aligned sections engaged with each other, one of which is engaged with the thrusting portion of the tamping hammer and the other section is engaged with an abutment portion. The first section is extendable while the second section is supplied by distributing means having an alternate cyclical operation for enabling the tamping hammer to vibrate. The second section is a jacket extending between a first and second longitudinal ends, and a piston slidingly movable inside the jacket. The jacket is closed at the first and second longitudinal ends; the piston exhibits an overall axial size defined by respective thrusting opposite faces of the piston itself, which is entirely contained inside the jacket.

Abstract: Ballast replacer-compactors and related methods are provided. A representative ballast replacer-compactor includes: a frame; a crib compactor mounted to the frame and operative to compact crib ballast; and a compactor bar mounted to the frame and operative to urge crib ballast downwardly and beneath a tie. A representative method for servicing rail system ties includes: engaging crib ballast positioned adjacent to a target tie; and forcing the crib ballast downwardly and beneath the target tie.

Abstract: A tamping assembly for a track tamping machine has a pair of tamping tools arranged on a carrier (2) so it is vertically adjustable in a tamping assembly frame and is designed as a rocker arm, the lower tamping pick ends (5) of which, which plunge into a ballast bed (4), are drivable in opposite directions using an oscillation drive (6) and can be fed hydraulically toward one another. To increase the stability of the tamping assembly, a hydraulic cylinder (11) and a distance sensor (12) for determining the hydraulic cylinder position are associated with each of the tamping tools (3) of a tamping tool pair, wherein the hydraulic cylinders (11) form the feed drive and also the oscillation drive (6) of the tamping tools (3) and the hydraulic cylinders (11) are activated in dependence on the distance sensor signal.

Abstract: A rail maintenance vehicle includes a frame, a workhead, an actuator, a pilot valve, and a throttling valve. The frame includes wheels that travel along rails. The actuator extends and retracts the workhead with respect to the frame. The pilot valve receives a fluid and controls the flow of the fluid to at least one output. The throttling valve adjusts a pressure of the fluid at an output relative to a pressure of the fluid at an input. The pilot valve and the throttle valve are coupled such that the fluid travels through the pilot valve and the throttling valve to cause the workhead to be extended or retracted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for the rail-bound transportation of objects, e.g. for delivering or collecting material to and/or from railway working vehicles, comprising several interconnected railway carriages (1), which respectively comprise at least one conveyor track (6, 7) on which the objects can be driven in a longitudinal manner in relation to the railway carriages (1) and which are designed such that the conveyor tracks (6, 7) join together the interconnected railway carriages (1). According to the invention, said system comprises conveyor bodies (8) for the objects, said bodies being designed to move from one railway carriage (1) to another railway carriage (1) along the conveyor tracks (6, 7) which are connected one to the other. The invention also relates to suitable railway carriages therefor.

Abstract: A rail vehicle includes a frame, a clamping assembly and a towing arm coupled to the frame and selectively coupled to the clamping assembly. The towing arm is movable from a first, unengaged position to a second, engaged position. The clamping assembly includes a plurality of roller clamps that are adapted to rotate about respective central axes of the roller clamps.

Abstract: For tamping two adjacent sleepers (9) of a track (3), the joint lowering of two adjoining tamping units (2) takes place with a time delay. As a result, the immersion in particular of immediately adjacent inner tamping tines (20) plunging into a common sleeper crib (18) is facilitated.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for generating vertical force. The device includes a housing, at least one bearing sleeve mounted in the housing, and at least one mass sleeve mounted within the bearing sleeve. The mass sleeve includes first and second masses with the first mass being larger than the second mass and the first and second masses being positioned substantially 180 degrees relative to one another. Related methods are described.

Abstract: The invention refers to a machine and a method used to level, align and stabilise the track and compact the ballast bed, producing controlled lifting, so that the load used in the settlement of the rail in its theoretical position falls within the established range, working in an uninterrupted manner. The machine is constituted by two bogies with traction capacity, and front, back and centre control cabins and a rear and frontal measuring tensioner trolleys. The machine has an additional lifting unit whose relative movement with the rest of the machine in controlled by total longitudinal cylinder. The alignment cylinders generate a transversal movement to cause track alignment. Behind this unit according to the direction of work a stabilising unit is situated which consists of two stabilising trolleys. The ground-penetrating radar is situated at the machine front.

Abstract: In an aspect, a track maintenance vehicle includes a body, a work head, and a controller. The work head performs track maintenance and is coupled to the body. The controller is configured to operate the vehicle in an autonomous mode. In another aspect, an anchor adjustor includes first and second jaws and an actuator. The jaws pivot about a single axis. The actuator causes the jaws to rotate about the axis. In another aspect, an anchor adjustor assembly includes a first pair of jaws, a second pair of jaws and an actuator. The first and second pairs of jaws open and close about a rail in a track. The actuator causes the closed first pair of jaws to translate towards the closed second pair of jaws along a longitudinal direction of the rail.

Abstract: A rail tamper apparatus is provided, including a chassis configured for being hitched to a semi-tractor trailer for road travel, and also configured for travel on rails of a railroad track, at least one ballast tamping unit mounted to the chassis, a turntable unit mounted to the chassis, and a pivoting axle assembly mounted to the chassis that is retractable relative to the chassis in a road travel position for highway travel, and is extendable from the chassis into a track travel position for operation on the rails, and including a rail wheel drive motor being extendable with the axle assembly.

Abstract: A tamper apparatus configured for being transportable upon a road is provided. A chassis is configured for supporting the tamper apparatus. A retractable turntable unit is connected to the chassis. The turntable unit has a generally quadrilateral configuration with side walls, and is rotatably attached at substantially a center of mass of the tamper apparatus. A tamping unit is connected to the chassis and configured for performing packing of a ballast under railroad ties for correcting cross and longitudinal levels of a pair of rails of a railroad track. A buggy lift assembly is removably attached to the chassis and configured for providing track alignment of the rails. At least one set of retractable rail wheels is connected to the chassis such that the chassis is towable by an automobile.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a rail vehicle having a reciprocation system comprised of independently movable work heads for carrying out rail maintenance operations. Related methods of operation of the rail vehicle and associated reciprocation system are also described.

Abstract: A rail vehicle includes a frame, a pair of wheels, a joint locator, a clamping assembly, and a processor. The wheels travel along a rail. The joint locator detects a joint bar on the rail. The clamping assembly is coupled to the frame and includes a pair of rail clamps disposed laterally outward of the pair of wheels. The processor is configured to automatically actuate the clamping assembly when the clamping assembly reaches the joint bar.

Abstract: A tamping machine for tamping a track is equipped with a track lifting unit, positioned immediately in front of a tamping unit, and an auxiliary lifting device (19) designed for lifting a branch rail (20) of a switch branching off the main track. The auxiliary lifting device (19) is fastened to a beam (21) extending perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the machine and has a lifting tool (27) designed to be applied to a rail head (26). Two disk-shaped thrust rollers (32), spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction of the machine and rotatable in a common plane of rotation (33), for application to a first side face (34) of the rail head (26) are connected to the auxiliary lifting device (19). A flanged roller (36) is provided for application to a second side face (35) of the rail head (26) and for resting the auxiliary lifting device (19) on the latter. The auxiliary lifting device (19) is pivotable relative to the beam (21) about an axis (42) by means of a drive (41).

Abstract: A drone vehicle for performing maintenance on a railway system is provided. A drone vehicle control system is structured to utilize tie position data to position a drone vehicle workhead over at least a portion of a respective tie. The drone vehicle control system is further structured to actuate the drone vehicle workhead. The drone vehicle may be controlled by a drone vehicle control system linked, preferably by wireless communications, to a lead vehicle and a lead vehicle control system. The lead vehicle control system and the drone vehicle control system are structured to communicate with each other, with the lead vehicle control system providing the tie position data to the drone vehicle control system.

Abstract: An exemplary apparatus and method for applying a force to rails of a track is disclosed. The apparatus has a device with at least one first weight and at least one second weight rotatably mounted about a horizontal shaft which has an axis which is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rails. A power source is provided to drive the rotation of the at least one first weight and the at least one second weight at different revolutions per second. The rotation of the at least one first weight and the at least one second weight creates a vertical force which has a larger downward component as compared to an upward component of the vertical force.

Abstract: A tamping machine designed especially for tamping switch sections comprises two inner and two outer tamping units (13, 24). Each outer tamping unit (24) is designed to be pivotable about a pivot axis (26), extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine, relative to a guide block (25) connected for displacement to transverse guides (12) and to a transverse displacement drive (14), and is connected to a pivot drive (27). Thus, tamping tools (18) of the outer tamping unit (24) can be positioned at a maximum distance from a machine center (23) for extensive tamping of a branch rail.

Abstract: A dual tamper vehicle is provided. The dual tamper vehicle has a single articulated frame assembly having two sets of tampers. The articulated frame assembly is, essentially, a bifurcated vehicle having a forward, first vehicle and a trailing, second vehicle joined by a primary coupling having three axes of rotation. The primary coupling having three axes of rotation allows the two vehicles to roll, pitch, and yaw relative to each other thereby allowing the single, long rail bifurcated vehicle to travel over a railroad.

Abstract: An exemplary apparatus and method for applying a force to rails of a track is disclosed. The apparatus has a device with at least one first weight and at least one second weight rotatably mounted about a horizontal shaft which has an axis which is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rails. A power source is provided to drive the rotation of the at least one first weight and the at least one second weight at different revolutions per second. The rotation of the at least one first weight and the at least one second weight creates a vertical force which has a larger downward component as compared to an upward component of the vertical force.