Abstract: A track position correction machine includes a multi-part machine frame and a satellite frame associated with the machine frame. A first drive displaces the satellite frame relative to the machine frame. A first packing unit and a track lifting unit are disposed on the satellite frame. A stabilization unit is associated with the machine frame. A second packing unit is disposed between the satellite frame and the stabilization unit. A second drive displaces the second packing unit relative to the machine frame.

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: A vibrating device having a flywheel rotatably disposed within a housing assembly. The housing assembly includes one or more openings therethrough structured to allow an effective amount of air to pass between the housing assembly enclosed space and the atmosphere. By exchanging an effective amount of air between the enclosed space and the atmosphere, the temperature within the housing assembly remains below the breakdown point of a lubricant used to reduce friction created when the flywheel is in use.

Abstract: A non-contact, air-activated lifting and tamping device which incorporates a means of producing a Bernouilli airflow at the device nozzle, creating an adjacent low air pressure region for inducing lift; and which includes provision for high velocity air jets for tamping operation. The device is compact, never clogs or ices and is easily adjustable for a wide range of applications.

Abstract: A track tamping machine has a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction and tamping units mounted to the machine frame. A first or upper transverse guide extends in a transverse direction perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction. Two sliding blocks are mounted for displacement in the transverse direction independently of one another on the upper transverse guide. A second or lower transverse guide is positioned vertically below the upper transverse guide and parallel thereto. The lower transverse guide is mounted in the sliding blocks for displacement relative thereto in the transverse direction. Two inner unit frames are connected to a respective one of the sliding blocks and support a tamping unit in each case. Two outer unit frames are positioned in each case farther from a vertical machine center line—with regard to the transverse direction—than an adjacent one of the inner unit frames and support a respective tamping unit.

Abstract: A tamping device and method of compacting ballast beneath the intersection of a railroad track's tie and rail utilize a pair of tamping units, each of which terminates in a tool blade. When a pair of tamping unit's first and second tool blades are in ballast on either side of the track's tie along one side of the rail, the first and second tool blades are moved in respective counter rotational first and second orbital paths such that forces generated in the ballast by the blades cooperate to compact the ballast beneath the intersection of the tie and the rail.

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: 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: 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: An aerial cableway system has an endless, closed load-bearing and conveying cable which, in the terminal stations, is guided over drive or deflection wheels. Transportation devices, such as cabins and chairs, can be fixed to the load-bearing and conveying cable via a suspension bar in each case. A bearing at the lower end of the suspension bar mounts the transportation device such that it can rotate about an at least approximately vertical axis. The bearing is attached to the suspension bar via a damping device.

Abstract: A tamping machine for tamping ballast underneath ties of a railroad track includes a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction and supported for mobility on the track by two undercarriages. A subframe is arranged between the undercarriages and is mobile on the track by means of a further, separate undercarriage. A frame support is provided for connecting the subframe to the machine frame in a manner allowing displacement of the subframe in the longitudinal direction. The frame support is mounted on the machine frame and displaceable relative thereto perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction. A transverse drive is connected to the frame support and linked to the machine frame. A vertically adjustable tamping unit and a track lifting unit are arranged on the subframe between the further undercarriage and the frame support.

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 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 mobile tamping machine for tamping ballast under a main track comprises a machine frame supported on undercarriages running on the main track for moving the machine frame in an operating direction, the main track defining a track plane, a ballast tamping unit mounted on the machine frame between the undercarriages, a main track lifting and lining unit vertically and transversely adjustably mounted on the machine frame immediately ahead of the ballast tamping unit in the operating direction, a drive for vertically and transversely adjusting the main track lifting and lining unit, an auxiliary lifting unit mounted on the machine frame for lifting a branch track branching off the main track at a track switch, and a common measuring system for controlling lifting of the track switch, the common measuring system including an emitter of a light beam forming a reference line extending parallel to the track plane, the light beam emitter being positioned at a fixed distance from the main track, and a receiver of the

Abstract: A machine for tamping ballast underneath a railroad track includes a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction and supported on the track by undercarriages for mobility in an operating direction. A tamping unit and a track lifting and lining unit cooperate with one another and are mounted on the machine frame. A suction apparatus is provided for aspirating ballast and includes a suction line connected to a ballast suction nozzle which is associated with the tamping unit. Drives are provided for adjusting the ballast suction nozzle vertically and transversely to the longitudinal direction. A ballast plow is mounted on the machine frame, and a discharge chute is provided for ejecting ballast onto the track. In this manner, short sections of track exhibiting inferior ballast conditions can be ballasted and tamped.

Abstract: The ballast tamper comprises two tool holders articulated to a chassis and equipped with tools set in vibration and fitting one on each side of a single or double cross tie of the track. The tops of the tool holders are connected by a hydraulic gripper ram. The supply of hydraulic fluid to the ram, for at least one of its directions of travel, is provided by an external hydraulic assembly which comprises means for metering an amount of fluid let into the ram or discharged therefrom so as to cause the rod of this ram to selectively describe a limited gripper opening stroke, in the case of a single cross tie, or a full stroke, in the case of a double cross tie. A particularly quiet “hydraulic stop” effect is thus achieved.

Abstract: A ballast tamping tool assembly comprises two tamping tool carriers arranged successively in a longitudinal direction, a pair of tamping picks mounted on each tamping tool carrier, one of the tamping picks of each pair being arranged at a respective end of the assembly in the longitudinal direction for immersion in a respective one of the cribs, another one of the tamping picks of each pair being one of twin tamping picks, the twin tamping picks being arranged for immersion in cribs adjacent the respective cribs for tamping ballast underneath two adjacent ties, and a third tamping tool carrier arranged between the two successively arranged tamping tool carriers, further twin tamping picks mounted on the third tamping tool carrier, the further twin tamping picks being arranged for immersion in a center crib.

Abstract: A track maintenance vehicle having a workhead that is pivotally mounted to the superstructure at its upper end. The workhead includes a blowing tube mounted at its lower end and a vertical cylinder that is selectively extendable and retractable to control the height of the blowing tube. The vehicle includes a control system that controls the height of the blowing tube as well as the left/right and fore/aft positions of the workhead. The track maintenance vehicle further includes an automated height control system that automatically extends and retracts the vertical cylinder to position the blowing tube at a uniform height despite its lateral disposition.

Abstract: A mobile tamping machine for tamping ballast under a railroad track includes a machine frame supported on undercarriages running on a main track for moving the machine in an operating direction. A tamping unit is mounted on the machine frame between the undercarriages, and a track lifting and lining unit for leveling and lining the main track is vertically and transversely adjustably mounted on the machine frame immediately ahead of the tamping unit in the operating direction, with drives being provided for vertically and transversely adjusting the track lifting and lining unit. An auxiliary lifting unit is mounted on the machine frame for lifting a branch track branching off the main track at a track switch. A common measuring system associated with the track lifting and lining unit and the auxiliary lifting unit is provided for controlling the lifting of the track switch.

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 mobile tamping machine for tamping ballast under a main track comprises a machine frame supported on undercarriages running on the main track for moving the machine frame in an operating direction, the main track defining a track plane, a ballast tamping unit mounted on the machine frame between the undercarriages, a main track lifting and lining unit vertically and transversely adjustably mounted on the machine frame immediately ahead of the ballast tamping unit in the operating direction, a drive for vertically and transversely adjusting the main track lifting and lining unit, an auxiliary lifting unit mounted on the machine frame for lifting a branch track branching off the main track at a track switch, and a common measuring system for controlling lifting of the track switch, the common measuring system including an emitter of a light beam forming a reference line extending parallel to the track plane, the light beam emitter being positioned at a fixed distance from the main track, and a receiver of the

Abstract: A method of correcting the position of a railroad track composed of laterally adjacent track sections connected by branch tracks comprises the steps of measuring the position of each individual track section relative to an absolute reference system common to both track sections and registering high points, thereby forming actual position curves, while parallel thereto actual versines of the track position are detected by means of a further, machine-specific reference system. A target position curve is then generated which is common to the measured track sections and composed of the registered high points of the individual measured track sections and design sections, located between said high points, which smoothen the trace of the actual position curves. Track correction values are determined by obtaining the difference between the actual position curve of a respective track section and the common target position curve.

Abstract: A railway maintenance vehicle exchanges worn crossties for new ones. Worn ties are collected and placed on an increased capacity storage car which permits ties to be placed atop the storage cars in a lateral orientation. New ties are simultaneously unloaded from the storage cars for distribution along the track. Tie transport and loading vehicles such as a gantry crane travel on rails atop the storage cars to move worn and new ties between a tie pick up car and a tie distribution car which has a tie ejector for laterally propelling ties fed to it on a queuing conveyor. The tie ejector has an endless drive chain with two striker plates attached at opposite ends and opposite sides such that they cannot interfere. The outward and downward trajectory of ejected ties is adjustable by a movable deflector shield.

Abstract: A method for correcting the track geometry of a track, includes measuring an initial track position of the track following lifting of the track and tamping under the track, and so computing a final desired track position as to eliminate long-wave alignment errors of the track geometry. Subsequently, corrective values are determined commensurate with a difference between the final desired track position and the initial track position, and the track is stabilized by lowering the track in a controlled manner into the final desired position and controlling in response to the corrective values the static load and/or transverse vibration acting on the track, thereby eliminating during track stabilization in particular long-wave geometrical track errors.

Abstract: A tie ejector distributes new ties to be installed along a railway track, from a tie distribution car of a rail carried tie exchange vehicle. New ties are moved from a gondola cars to a conveyor at the rear of the tie distribution car leading to the tie ejector. The tie ejector has an endless drive chain on rotatable sprockets on a frame. Two striker plates are attached to the drive chain at opposite ends and opposite sides so that they cannot interfere. One is always on the rear when the other is on the front ejecting a tie by propelling it laterally relative to the conveyor. The trajectory of the tie is adjustable using a movable deflection shield attached to the frame, specifically to adjust the downward deflection angle. The tie ejector can be manually actuated by an operator while the tie distribution car is advanced, to drop ties next to the track at a predetermined and repeatable position relative to passing empty tie cribs.

Abstract: An assembly for tamping ballast supporting a track having two rails fastened to ties comprises a vertically adjustable tamping tool carrier and a pair of tamping tools mounted on the carrier for reciprocation towards and away from one another in the longitudinal direction of the track, each of the tamping tools being pivotal about a swivel axis extending in the direction of elongation of the ties and including at least one tamping pick arranged at the lower end of the tamping tool and intended for immersion in the ballast upon vertical adjustment of the tamping tool carrier, the tamping pick being mounted on the tamping tool for pivoting about a pivot axis extending perpendicularly to the swivel axis.

Abstract: The machine is constituted by a self-propelled truck which comprises a first hammering unit and a second compacting unit. The first unit comprises mutually opposite sets of inclined vibrating hydraulic tools which can be arranged so as to straddle each tie and are adapted to limit the migration of crushed rock from the tamping regions of the ballast, which lie below each tie, to the intermediate ballast regions which lie between two consecutive ties. The second unit is constituted by vibrating plates, which are also actuated hydraulically and are adapted to compact the crushed rock located in the layer above the laying plane of the ties in the intermediate ballast regions and on the heads of the ties. The first and second units are supported by a portal-shaped chassis of the car , are mutually spaced by an extent which is a multiple of the various spacing pitches of the ties of the track, and are arranged so that during working travel of the car the first unit precedes the second unit.

Abstract: A tamping assembly uses a split tool mechanical vibrator having corresponding front and back vibrator units powered by a single motor. A tamping tool provides easy connection to a tamping tool holder in such a way that two tamping tools may be mounted to one tool holder using a single bolt and wherein the tool holder has a channel in which a projection of the tamping tool is secured by a taper lock.

Abstract: A ballast tamping machine comprises a machine frame supported on a track by undercarriages for moving in an operating direction, a track lifting and lining unit mounted on the machine frame and operable to correct the track position, a reference system controlling lifting and lining of the track by the track lifting and lining unit, and two adjoining tamping heads arranged sequentially on the machine frame in the longitudinal direction at a respective track rail. Each tamping head comprises ballast tamping tools reciprocable towards each other in the longitudinal direction at the gage side and the field side of the rail, drives for vertically adjusting the ballast tamping tools of each tamping head independently of the vertical adjustment of the ballast tamping tools of the other tamping head for immersing tamping picks on the ballast tamping tools in the ballast underneath the track.

Abstract: A tamping assembly uses a split tool mechanical vibrator having corresponding front and back vibrator units powered by a single motor. A tamping tool provides easy connection to a tamping tool holder in such a way that two tamping tools may be mounted to one tool holder using a single bolt and wherein the tool holder has a channel in which a projection of the tamping tool is secured by a taper lock.

Abstract: A tamping assembly for use in a tamping machine for compacting ballast under a group of neighboring ties of a track, includes tool carriers in spaced-apart relationship in direction of the track and vertically adjustable independently from one another, with one tool carrier including three tamping tools spaced from each other in direction of the track, and with a second tool carrier including two tamping tools spaced from each other in direction of the track wherein each of the tamping tools of the first and second tool carriers is formed with a tamping pick for immersion into the ballast.

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.

Abstract: A track is tamped and stabilized at a desired level by lifting the track to a temporary level, intermittently tamping the track and then advancing along the track in an operating direction in continuously repeated tamping cycles, and in continuously repeated stabilizing cycles parallel to and following the tamping cycles in the operating direction, intermittently stabilizing the tamped track at the desired level by imparting to the track horizontal vibrations extending in a direction perpendicular to the track, and applying to the vibrating track a vertical load at a value automatically controlled to rise to a maximum value required to lower the track to the desired level and then reduced to a value to relieve the load.

Abstract: A mobile track tamping machine for simultaneously tamping ballast under a plurality of track ties comprises a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction and supported by undercarriages on the track for movement in an operating direction. Two tamping tool assemblies are sequentially arranged in the longitudinal direction, each tamping tool assembly being capable of simultaneously tamping ballast under at least two track ties and comprising two tamping tools adjacent each other in the longitudinal direction and reciprocable from an initial position to a tamping position, the two tamping tools defining the distance between the track ties in the initial position. A reciprocating drive is connected to the two tamping tools, and the tamping tools of the two tamping tool assemblies adjacent each other in the longitudinal direction are spaced a distance corresponding to the distance between the track ties.

Abstract: A method of tamping a plurality of ties fastened to rails of a track comprises repeated cycles of a first tamping operation comprising the steps of lifting the track to a desired level and simultaneously tamping ballast under two groups of adjacent ties, each group consisting of at least two ties and the two groups being separated by at most two ties between the groups, and a second tamping operation independent of, and following, the first tamping operation, the second tamping operation comprising the step of tamping ballast under the ties between the two groups.

Abstract: A method of continuously measuring the resistance of a track to transverse displacement comprises the steps of continuously advancing a dynamic stabilizer along the track, applying a power to the dynamic stabilizer to impart oscillations to the track extending transversely to the track in a horizontal plane, and recording a datum corresponding to the applied power as a correlated measurement value of the transverse track displacement resistance (QVW).

Abstract: A tamping vehicle uses a split tool mechanical vibrator having corresponding front and back vibrator units powered by a single motor. Sprockets and a synchronous sprocket belt drive front and back units to vibrate 180 degrees out of phase. A lubricant carrying belt carries oil to the top of a housing for lubricating and cooling various moving parts. Squeeze cylinders are used to move tamping tools to squeeze in positions by rotating the tamping tools about the same axes as rotation of vibration inducing shafts. Independently liftable gauge and field side tamping assemblies allow use at railroad switches and other locations where narrow width tamping is needed. A tamping tool provides easy connection to a tamping tool holder in such a way that two tamping tools may be mounted to one tool holder.

Abstract: A tamping tool assembly comprises two pairs of tamping tools succeeding each other in the direction of elongation of a railroad track, two of the tamping tools of the pairs being adjacent each other and the other two tamping tools of the pairs being remote from each other.

Abstract: A ballast tamping machine comprises an elongated machine frame, and a tool carrier frame supporting a ballast tamping head, a track lifting and lining unit and an auxiliary rail lifting device comprising a rail clamping element and drive for vertically and transversely adjusting the device for engagement of a rail of a branch track adjacent the track by the rail clamping element. A displacement drive connects the tool carrier frame to the machine frame for longitudinally displacing the tool carrier frame relative to the machine frame, and at least one undercarriage supports each frame on the track.

Abstract: A mobile arrangement for rehabilitating a ballast bed by installing a protective layer between a subgrade and layer of ballast at a construction site of the track includes an excavation unit for continuously removing old ballast from the ballast bed to expose the subgrade and a rock crusher unit which receives at least a portion of withdrawn old ballast for comminution thereof. Comminuted old ballast is then laid over the exposed subgrade for forming at least part of the protective layer.

Abstract: A mobile track tamping and ballasting machine movable along a railroad track in a first operating direction and a reverse direction, which comprises a first machine frame, a second machine frame, an articulated coupling connecting the machine frames, undercarriages supporting the machine frame on the railroad track for movement therealong, the first machine frame supporting a vertically adjustable ballast tamping unit and a track lifting and lining unit preceding the ballast tamping unit in the first operating direction, and the second machine frame supporting a plow for ballasting the track and a ballast broom preceding the ballasting plow in the first operating direction.

Abstract: A mobile machine for rehabilitating a ballast bed comprises an elongated machine frame supported by spaced apart undercarriages on the track for mobility in an operating direction. Mounted on the machine frame between the undercarriages are a vertically adjustable device for excavating ballast, a ballast discharge device arranged rearwardly of the ballast excavating device in the operating direction, the ballast discharge device having a discharge end, and a track lifting device and a vertically adjustable ballast tamping head arranged rearwardly of the discharge end of the ballast discharge device. The track lifting device comprises flanged rollers supporting the track lifting device on the track, and the ballast tamping head comprises reciprocable tamping tools for tamping the discharged ballast.

Abstract: A mobile track tamping machine arrangement comprises a first machine and a second machine, each machine comprising a self-propelled elongated machine frame supported on undercarriages running on the track, the first machine preceding the second machine in the operating direction and the machine frame of the first machine being longer than that of the second machine. Vertically adjustable track tamping tool units are mounted on each machine frame, the tamping tool units mounted on the longer machine frame being transversely adjustable sideways beyond the longer machine frame, and a detachable coupling connects facing ends of the machine frames.

Abstract: A switch tamping machine comprises a machine frame, a track lifting and lining unit operated by lifting and lining drives linking the track lifting and lining unit to the machine frame, and at least one ballast tamping unit mounted on the machine frame for displacement transversely to the direction of elongation of the machine frame. The tamping unit comprises a carrier frame, a tamping tool carrier vertically adjustably mounted on the carrier frame for vertical displacement along a vertical guide, and a pair of vibratory tamping tools mounted on the tamping tool carrier for reciprocation in the direction of elongation. An auxiliary lifting device is vertically adjustably mounted on the carrier frame of the transversely displaceable tamping unit for lifting a switch rail transversely spaced from the machine frame, the auxiliary lifting device comprising a vertically adjustable rail engaging tool, and a lifting drive links the auxiliary lifting device to the carrier frame.

Abstract: A mobile machine for leveling, lining and tamping a track, has an elongated machine frame supported on undercarriages for continuous movement along the track in an operating direction during a leveling, lining and tamping operation. The machine frame comprises three machine frame parts arranged successively adjacent each other in a direction of elongation of the machine frame and pivotally linked to each other, one of the machine frame parts being an auxiliary trussing linking the two adjacent machine frame parts to each other during the operation. A carrier frame is supported on at least one undercarriage for intermittent movement along the track relative to the continuously moving machine frame, the one machine frame part bridging over the carrier frame, and a track tamping unit and a track lifting and lining unit are mounted on the carrier frame.

Abstract: An ballast tamping assembly comprises four independently displaceable ballast tamping units arrayed in a line extending transversely to the machine frame elongation. Each ballast tamping unit comprises a carrier frame, a tamping tool carrier vertically adjustably mounted on the carrier frame, and a pair of vibratory tamping tools mounted on the tamping tool carrier for reciprocation in the track direction.

Abstract: A mobile ballast cleaning machine comprises a machine frame, undercarriages supporting the machine frame for mobility on the track, an excavating chain mounted on the machine frame and arranged to excavate the ballast to expose the subgrade, a ballast screening installation arranged to receive the excavated ballast from the excavating chain and to clean the received ballast, a conveyor arrangement for conveying the cleaned ballast for distribution on the exposed subgrade, a power-actuated, vertically and transversely adjustable track lifting device mounted on the machine frame, and a vibrator connected to the track lifting device, the vibrator being arranged to generate horizontal oscillations extending transversely to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A method for continuously consolidating ballast under a track comprising rails and sleepers which are arranged transversely to the rails by a machine having tamping picks, comprises causing the tamping picks to pick up the ballast in front of the sleeper ends and push the ballast under the sleeper ends by a cycle of shovel movements comprising a consolidating movement in a direction which is parallel to the sleepers, an upward movement occurring immediately in front of the sleeper end faces, and a return movement counter to the consolidating movement, and continuously causing the tamping picks to repeat the cycle of shovel movements. Desirably, a continuous forward movement is superimposed on the cycle of shovel movements.

Abstract: A mobile arrangement for rehabilitating a ballast bed by installing a protective layer between a subgrade and layer of ballast at a construction site of the track includes an excavation unit for continuously removing old ballast from the ballast bed to expose the subgrade and a rock crusher unit which receives at least a portion of withdrawn old ballast for comminution thereof. Comminuted old ballast is then laid over the exposed subgrade for forming at least part of the protective layer.