Abstract: The present invention relates to towing apparatus (200) for towing a vehicle with a cable transport arrangement. The towing apparatus (200) comprises a first attachment arrangement (204) configured to provide for attachment to a towing part of the cable transport arrangement. The towing apparatus (200) comprises a second attachment arrangement (208) configured for releasable attachment to a vehicle. The second attachment arrangement (208) comprises a main body (210) and first and second arms (212,214). The first and second arms (212,214) are substantially immovably mounted on the main body (210) and spaced apart from each other with each of the first and second arms defining a vehicle engaging profile (222).

Abstract: A conveying apparatus (1) moves a transport unit (3) having at least one running section (4, 5). The running section (4, 5) can, in particular, be configured as a runner of a skid. The conveying apparatus (1) has a support (6, 8) which takes up the weight of the transport unit (3) on the running section (4, 5). The conveying apparatus (1) includes at least one drive roller (20) which interacts with the running section (4, 5) of the transport unit (3) for a rolling movement and subjects the transport unit (3) to a force (FK) for movement along the support (6, 8). The drive roller (20) is operatively connected to a force-generating device (44) for providing a press-on force (FP) pressing the drive roller (20) against the running section (4, 5) of the transport unit (3).

Abstract: Before replacing an old tie with a new tie in a railroad track, the associated tie plates are temporarily welded to the respective rail bases of the two rails with the aid of an old rail spike.

Abstract: A railroad vibratory system having a hopper, a shaker, a conveyor assembly and a handling device that fastens railroad material to secure a railroad track onto a railroad track system. The hopper releases the railroad material, through an aperture. The shaker oscillates the hopper so the railroad material releases, controlled and orderly, through the aperture. The conveyor assembly receives the railroad material through the aperture and transports the railroad material to the handling device.

Abstract: A machine for fastening rail plates to cross-ties, utilizing spikes or the like, and method therefore, is disclosed in the present invention. The preferred apparatus of the present invention teaches a system wherein there is provided a conveyor for conveying a plurality of laterally arranged, aligned ties, a loader for loading a single tie upon a template conveyer, and a positioner for positioning a tie at each station during the pre-plating process. The present invention further includes a template system for securing the cross-tie or tie in place, feeding and positioning the rail-plate in place, feeding, dispensing, and positioning the spikes in place, driving the spikes, and discharging the processed tie, the template system utilizing as a principle motive force the displacement of the template reciprocating drive piston for positioning the template, as well as dispensing the plates.

Abstract: A machine for fastening rail plates to cross-ties, utilizing spikes or the like, and method therefore, is disclosed in the present invention. The preferred apparatus of the present invention teaches a system wherein there is provided a conveyor for conveying a plurality of laterally arranged, juxtaposed ties in bulk, a loader or retriever for loading a single tie upon a template conveyer, and a positioner for positioning the single tie during the pre-plating process. The present invention further includes a template system for securing the cross-tie or tie in place, feeding and positioning the rail-plate in place, feeding, dispensing, and positioning the spikes in place, driving the spikes, and discharging the processed tie, the template system utilizing as a principle motive force the displacement of the template reciprocating drive piston for positioning the template, as well as dispensing the plates.

Abstract: A bulk loader conveys rigid, stick-like articles in bulk. The bulk loader has a bin for holding a plurality of the articles and a trough connected to a bin having an entrance portion for receiving the articles from the bin and a discharge portion for discharging the articles. An auger, with an inlet end and an outlet end, is rotatably positioned in the trough so that the inlet end is positioned near the entrance portion and the outlet end is positioned near the discharge portion. Upon rotation of the auger, the auger conveys the articles from the entrance portion to the discharge portion. The trough is constructed and arranged to prevent conveyed articles from becoming jammed between said auger and said trough.

Abstract: A system for detecting targets and for positioning at least one work module over a particular target to perform a task thereon. The system includes a movable machine having a main frame, a drive mechanism for propelling the machine across a base surface, a sensor associated with the machine for detecting locations of at least one target positioned on said base surface, and an encoder assembly associated with the machine for obtaining motion data. The motion data includes at least one of the displacement and velocity of the machine across the base surface. Also included is a control unit for receiving the target locations from the sensor, for receiving the motion data from the encoder assembly, for determining a target distance for the drive mechanism to propel the machine such that the work module is generally aligned with a particular target in a target area, and for creating a destination signal indicating when the work module is operationally aligned with the target area.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a device for automatically inserting wooden railroad tie plugs without the need for multiple crew members of intense labor. The device comprises a feeding mechanism adapted to place a wooden tie plug to be inserted into a gun adjacent a spike hole over a railroad tie. A horizontal positioning ram and insertion tube cooperate to ensure the tie is properly positioned and an attendant vertically mounted ram forces the wooden tie plug into the spike hole, thereby rehabilitating the railroad tie and placing it in a condition for respiking.

Abstract: A process and vehicle for automatically screwing and unscrewing tie screws performed by the vehicle moving continuously along a track. This invention makes it possible to detect and determine the relative position of a tie screw with respect to a tie screw fastening head by optoelectronic devices and to set, if appropriate, the inclination of the tie screw fastening head. The tie screw fastening head is positioned above the tie screw and a tie screw fastening cycle is engaged for each tie screw. The tie screw fastening heads then hop from one work position to another, performing this process.

Abstract: An automatic rail fastener remover for use on threaded fasteners being used for securing railroad rails to rail ties, the fastener remover constructed and arranged to be mounted on a railway maintenance vehicle having a frame, and including a fastener removal tool configured to releasably engage one of the fasteners for removing the fastener from the tie, a drive assembly connected to the tool for rotating the tool, at least one latch hook selectively biased against the fastener head for assisting the tool in the removal of the fastener from the tie.

Abstract: A rail spike feeder, which may feed regular spikes, hairpin or lock spikes, and coach screws, uses a holder which receives spikes from a spike chute. The spikes do not assume any secure position from exiting the spike chute until after contact with the holder. The holder uses a four bar linkage arrangement such that the holder pivots about ends of first and second links at the same time the opposite ends of the links are swinging or pivoting about their mounts. This maintains a proper orientation for spikes moved into a spiking position whereat a spiker head, such as a spike hammer, may insert the spikes into tie plates and ties. A counterweighted finger assembly is used to maintain spike orientation as spikes are transferred from the spike chute to the holder.

Abstract: A spiker vehicle and associated method of spiking apply a line of laser light which is reflected from a tie plate and imaged by a CCD camera connected to a computer programmed for image recognition by simultaneously determining the locations of two spike holes in the tie plate and the edge(s) of the tie plate, which spike holes are offset in the rail direction. A first spiker is mounted to a carriage which is moved automatically until the first spiker is over one of the sensed holes. The laser and camera are mounted to the spiker for rail direction movement therewith. A second spiker may be mounted to the carriage for spiking spike holes on the opposite side of the rail from the first spiker.

Abstract: A modular railway maintenance system for performing at least one of a plurality of right-of-way maintenance tasks on a railroad track includes a base unit including a frame having a plurality of wheels for rotatably engaging the railroad track, a first side corresponding to a first rail of the railroad track, a second side corresponding to a second rail of the railroad track, and at least one of a plurality of task-oriented modules being releasably connectable to the base unit for selective operation of distinct tasks on either side of the base unit.

Abstract: A newspaper bundle handling system is shown and includes a bundle arranging and loading apparatus for arranging and loading successive layers of newspaper bundles on a wheeled cart. The present invention also includes a conveying mechanism for conveying empty carts to the loading apparatus and for subsequently conveying loaded carts away from the loading apparatus.

Abstract: A machine for driving spikes into the ties of a railroad track includes a spike driving assembly movably disposed relative to a frame for gripping spikes and driving gripped spikes into the ties, the spike driving assembly having a spike pushing function and a spike percussive function. In the pushing function the spike driving assembly pushes the spike a specified distance into the tie by the application of constant pressure, and in the percussive function the driving assembly percussively completes the driving of the spike into the tie. An operator may selectively alternate between the pushing and percussive functions.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding a railroad spike in a substantially vertical position while the spike is being driven into a railroad tie. The spike holding apparatus includes a support member adapted to connect said apparatus to a railroad spiking machine, a pair of jaws which rotatably depend from said support member at an angle to the plane of the rail which angle is large enough to avoid interference with rail anchors but not so large as to preclude sufficient mechanical leverage from being imposed on the spike to be held and actuators to to rotate said jaws relative to said support member and to one another. The first jaw of said pair includes a cradle adapted to receive a spike and further adapted to avoid interference with the spike after it is driven. The second jaw of said pair includes contact surfaces adapted to force a spike into the cradle of the first jaw and hold it down until said spike is driven into the tie.

Abstract: In a rail spike driving machine having a frame, wheels and a spike driver gun slidable in parallel relationship to the rail, and control means for limiting that sliding action, an apparatus for releasably locking the position of said gun above a particular tie comprising a telescoping tube with an inner member and a hollow outer member, the inner member inserted at one end into the outer member and at the other end to the spike driver gun, the outer member receiving the inner member at one end and slidably secured to the frame at the other end to control the perpendicular action of the spike driver gun in relation to the rail, and a releasable brake assembly mounted on the outer member so as to exert a locking force on the inner member and prevent lateral movement of the spiker gun.

Abstract: A mobile track renewal installation for the continuous replacement of the rails and ties of a track comprises a leading and a trailing work vehicle arranged for continuous advancement on a track in an operating direction. The leading work vehicle bridges an intermediate renewal section where an existing track is replaced by a new track and carries a ballast excavating and planing apparatus for removing ballast from the ballast bed and planing the remaining ballast bed, and an apparatus for laying ties on the planed ballast immediately behind the ballast excavating and planing apparatus, in the operating direction. The trailing work vehicle carries apparatus for fastening rails to the laid ties and an operating unit for lifting the track and for tamping the ballast under the ties trailing the apparatus for fastening the rails to the laid ties, the operating unit being intermittently displaceable on the trailing vehicle in the operating direction.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for reinstalling loosened railroad spikes. The apparatus includes a wheel-mounted chassis adapted for rolling along railroad rails and having a crawler attached thereto having a lowered, operating position and a raised position. The crawler includes a carriage with a plurality of crawler wheels thereon interconnected by a plurality of link-belts. The belts engage loosened spikes as the apparatus rolls along the rails when said carriage is in the operating position. The link-belts have a plurality of spike head engaging indentations defined along an outer surface thereof. In the preferred embodiment, at least one of said link-belts further engages a crawler drive wheel portion of a drive wheel mounted on the chassis. The drive wheel may be rotated by a hydraulic motor. The carriage may be alternately raised and lowered by a hydraulic cylinder actuated by fluid pumped thereinto from a pump through a two-way hydraulic fluid valve.

Abstract: A conveyance system having an overhead guide rail above a surface and one or more vehicles which are guided by the rail and partially supported on the surface by a wheel structure. Preferably, the guide rail includes the stator of a linear induction motor which cooperates with a rotor element in a propulsion member for the vehicle. A handpole on the vehicle connects the propulsion member to a passenger-carrying platform on the wheel structure. The handpole is sufficiently vertical to be readily grasped by a passenger for support while riding and assistance in getting on and off the vehicle, and yet the pole is sufficiently inclined to partially support the vehicle and permit its movement in response to the propulsion member. The preferred system uses simple, lightweight vehicles which can be readily installed over a pre-existing surface such as a sidewalk or corridor and are arranged to move continuously therealong at a slow passenger-transfer speed and a faster speed between transfer points.