Abstract: A machine for driving a pair of screw anchors at substantially the same time. An attachment supports a pair of independent drive assemblies. Each assembly consists of a rotary driver and tool driver that moves along respective driving arms to independently drive a pair of screw anchors into supporting ground at different angles. Each assembly may move with respect to the machine independently to drive anchors into the ground in overlapping time, or both may rotate at once to drive anchors into the ground sequentially.

Abstract: A rail threader workhead is disclosed for attachment to an end of a rail machine boom and configured for placing a railroad rail upon a section of railroad ties. The rail threader workhead includes a first apparatus for mounting to the end of the rail machine boom and operable to pivot in a vertical pitch direction, a second apparatus extending from the first apparatus and operable to pivot in a horizontal yaw direction, and a third apparatus extending from the second apparatus. The third apparatus includes a pair of roller assemblies configured to engage the railroad rail, the third apparatus configured to pivot in a cant or roll direction.

Abstract: A method is proposed for track position improvement by means of a track-movable track-tamping machine (6) with a three-point work measurement system having three measurement carriages (A, B, C) and a cord (9) stretched therebetween, a tamping unit (5), a lifting and straightening unit (8) for tracks and in particular an odometer. The position of the track after the correction work of the track-tamping machine (6) is recorded by means of a measurement system. In order to reduce the straightening error, it is proposed that a computer (R) calculates the difference between a predetermined desired track position (1) and an actual position recorded by the measurement system, i.e. a residual error (Kh), and in that the position of the rear cord end on the rear measurement carriage (C) of the track-tamping machine (6) of the three-point work measurement system is continuously corrected in such a way that the rear cord end on the measurement carriage (C) is guided on the desired track position (1).

Abstract: An articulated rail-transport car for transporting long sections of ribbon rail is described. The car includes a plurality of segments arranged end-to-end and coupled and supported at their adjacent ends by shared trucks. Dedicated trucks are provided near each terminal end of the car and couplers configured to couple to an adjacent rail car are provided at the respective terminal ends. Rail stands are disposed along the length of the car with a spacing that is independent of the locations of the shared and dedicated trucks and that provides a greater number of rail stands than trucks. The segments may be configured to enable interchangeability and to allow any number of the segments to be included in the car. A plurality of the cars can be coupled to enable transport of ribbon rails of any length.

Abstract: A rail threader workhead is disclosed for attachment to an end of a rail machine boom and configured for placing a railroad rail upon a section of railroad ties. The rail threader workhead includes a first apparatus for mounting to the end of the rail machine boom and operable to pivot in a vertical pitch direction, a second apparatus extending from the first apparatus and operable to pivot in a horizontal yaw direction, and a third apparatus extending from the second apparatus. The third apparatus includes a pair of roller assemblies configured to engage the railroad rail, the third apparatus configured to pivot in a cant or roll direction.

Abstract: A system for surveying a track includes two outer measuring devices and a central measuring device disposed therebetween, relative to the longitudinal direction of the track. Each measuring device has a specific position relative to the track in order to detect geometric track parameters. One outer measuring device includes a camera with a recording area in which a measuring object of the other outer measuring device and a measuring object of the central measuring device are disposed. The camera is connected to an evaluation device for pattern recognition. All of the position parameters of the track required for precise lining and levelling of the track are thus recorded by a single camera. A method of operating the system is also provided.

Abstract: A railcar ballast delivery gate with first and second parallel side walls spaced apart by a center truss plate that extends between and is perpendicular to each of the two side walls, a center angled bar that straddles the center truss plate, first and second primary elongated tubes extending between the first and second side walls on opposing sides of the side walls, and a divider assembly. The primary elongated tubes are rotatably connected to first and second tube arms, which in turn are fixedly couple to first and second secondary elongated tubes that are configured to move relative to the primary elongated tubes while remaining parallel to them. The tube arms are rotatably connected to door linkages that are situated underneath and fixedly attached to door panels resting on trusses that extend from a center truss plate.

Abstract: A motor grader includes a vehicular body, a blade, a front wheel located in front of the blade, two rear wheels located in the rear of the blade, a first sensor which detects a position of the vehicular body as first sensor information, a second sensor which detects an inclination of the vehicular body as second sensor information, a first swing member which rotatably supports both of the two rear wheels arranged in the front and rear relation and is swingably supported by the vehicular body, and a third sensor which detects an angle of swing of the first swing member with respect to the vehicular body as third sensor information. A method of controlling a motor grader includes obtaining the first to third sensor information and calculating positions of the rear wheels based on the obtained first to third sensor information.

Abstract: A work train lays a rail of a railway track. The work train has a heating device with a heating zone, gas burners, and a radiant body interposed between the gas burners and the heating zone. The radiant body has openings that open into the heating zone. The work train is moved in a laying direction, so that at each moment a portion of the rail to be fixed passes through the heating zone. Heat is supplied to the rail to be fixed through the heating zone by feeding the gas burner so that no flame emerges from the openings in the heating zone and that at least 75% of the heat supplied to the rail is transmitted by radiation from the radiant body. Then the rail is fixed after the heat has been applied to a tie of the railway track behind the heating zone in the laying direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates in particular to a mold (M) for aluminothermic welding of a metal rail (1), which comprises at least two substantially identical pieces or shells (4), configured to be temporarily assembled opposite one another and on either side of said rail (1) to enclose the head (10), web (11) and foot (12) of this rail (1), each piece or shell (4) having an upper opening (43), which opens onto an internal cavity (44) bounded by walls (45, 46, 48) configured to enclose the head (10), the web (11) and the foot (12) of said rail (1), characterized by the fact that said internal cavity (44) comprises a compressible sealing coating (5) only against the walls (451, 46, 48) configured to enclose said web (11), foot (12) and underside of the head (10), with the exception of the rest of the head (10) and the underside of the foot (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for unloading, transporting and installing a railway track, which does not require the rail-carrying train to be brought closer after each cycle of unloading continuous welded rail (CWR), the train remaining parked at the end of the track already laid until all the CWR has been completely unloaded. According to the invention, the method consists of: fastening two rails to a crane of an unloading wagon and moving same through windows along the wagon, facilitating the descent thereof to the track; transferring the rails to a machine for pulling and positioning which moves along, leaving the rails supported on transport elements that move along the track already laid; transferring the rails from the track already laid to a section of sleepers; and moving the rails to their final position, using sliding elements placed on the sleepers.

Abstract: A longitudinal beam of a track maintenance vehicle is connected at a beam exterior side—facing away from the opposite longitudinal beam—to a rail transport device provided for receiving rails. The rail transport device is displaceable by means of a displacement drive in the transverse direction of the machine relative to a machine frame within a displacement path s delimited by a transport—and a loading position.

Abstract: A system for securing a railway apparatus includes a support platform and a mechanism for securing the railway apparatus to the support platform, capable of switching from an unlocked state to a locked state. The securing mechanism has a guide rail, a trolley guided by the guide rail along a path which, when the support platform is in the loading position, is parallel to a reference plane, a device for immobilizing the trolley relative to the guide rail, an attachment member for attaching the railway apparatus secured to the trolley; and locking members for locking the guide rail relative to the support platform, which switch from an unlocked position to a locked position when the securing mechanism switches from the unlocked state to the locked state in the loading position of the platform, by urging the guide rail downwards relative to the support platform.

Abstract: A railroad renewal method includes, in particular: the removal of the old rail, the installation of the new rail and the primary adjustment of the temperature of the new rail to a set value at a point located upstream of and close to the attachment area on a crosstie. The thermodynamic behavior of the intermediate section of the new rail located between the primary temperature adjustment point and the attachment area is controlled by way of a device, provided with a control and management system, such that the temperature of the new rail is uniform, in the cross-section thereof, at a set value on the attachment point.

Abstract: Provided is a positioner for reinforcing steel bars of tunnel side wall. At least two groups of reinforcing steel bar positioning arm mechanisms are provided on the same side of an inverted trestle (4). The reinforcing steel bar positioning arm mechanism comprises a large arm (1), a medium arm (2) and a small arm (3). The large arm (1) is driven by a first telescopic cylinder (7) to rotate around a hinge point, such that the large arm (1) implements rotation in the horizontal direction. The medium arm (2) is composed of three second telescopic cylinders (8) in a Z-shaped arrangement in the vertical plane, such that the small arm (3) implements rotation or expansion in the vertical plane. Two arm rods of the small arm (3) are each provided with a third telescopic cylinder (9) to implement the expansion of the arm rod.

Abstract: A route inspection system includes one or more processors configured to identify a reference location in sensor data provided by one or more sensors onboard a vehicle system. The reference location is identified along a route being traveled by the vehicle system. The one or more processors also are configured to identify a location of interest in subsequent sensor data provided by the one or more sensors. The location of interest identified along the route being traveled by the vehicle system. The one or more processors also are configured to determine a degree of curvature in the route based on a difference between the reference location and the location of interest.

Abstract: Embodiments of an integrated rail efficiency and safety support system and method are shown comprising a server operable to receive a plurality of sets of collected information, each of the sets of collected information comprising a consist physical location and weather conditions and rail temperatures in an area of the respective consist and to process a predictive rail temperature algorithm for predicting a rail temperature and/or a trend in rail temperature for a selected section of track; and wherein the predictive rail temperature algorithm factors the information provided to it and provides a predicted rail temperature and/or trend in rail temperature for the selected section of track.

Abstract: A material handling machine for transferring discrete loads of excavated, uncrushed waste from an excavator or other excavation equipment to a dumping location beyond the reach of the excavator. The material handling machine may include a mobile bridge supported by two or more crawlers. The material handling machine may further include at least one skip that is selectively moved between a first end and a second end of the mobile bridge. The at least one skip may receive material from excavation equipment at the first end and deposit the received material proximate the second end. When the material handling machine includes two skips, one skip may be positioned above the other skip, or the skips may be positioned to be side-by-side.

Abstract: A cleaning vehicle (1) for cleaning ballast (2) of a track (4) with a rail vehicle (10) has a screening installation (15) provided for the ballast cleaning. A gantry crane (6) mobile on the rail vehicle (10) via crane rails (8) in a longitudinal direction (7) of the vehicle is provided for the transport of the ballast (2) stored in containers (11). Forming a discharge station (12) for discharging the soiled ballast (2), a receiving end (13) of a first conveyor belt (14) is provided, the latter having a discharge end (16) positioned above the screening installation (15). Forming a loading station (17) for discharging the cleaned ballast (2) into an empty container (11), a discharge end (18) of a second conveyor belt (19) is provided, the receiving end (20) of which is associated with an outlet opening (21) of the screening installation (15).

Abstract: The invention relates to a railway work vehicle comprising a chassis supported by a drive mechanism and work devices supported by the chassis. According to the invention, the transportation of material within the work vehicle below and/or above and/or next to the working devices can be improved by using at least one conveyor track on which conveyor bodies for objects or objects forming conveyor bodies, in the form of a parceled goods, can be driven along the working vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing load transferring regions in a ballast body of a track superstructure by introducing curable liquid plastics or reactive plastic mixtures from a mixing unit by means of at least two distributor pipes with outlets into the load transferring regions and allowing the plastic or the reactive plastic mixture to cure in said load transferring regions. The two distributor pipes with outlets are positioned on the left or on the right from the outside of the rails into the region between the two rails such that the outlets are located adjacent to each other and are laterally spaced from the front face (3) of the tie (2) that has the load transferring region to be reinforced. The two outlets are opened in order to allow the plastic or the reactive plastic mixture to exit at a controlled rate.

Abstract: A system for inspecting railroad ties in a railroad track includes a light generator, an optical receiver and a processor. The light generator is oriented to project a beam of light across the railroad track while moving along the railroad track in a travel direction. The optical receiver is oriented to receive at least a portion of the beam of light reflected from the railroad track and configured to generate image data representative of a profile of at least a portion of the railroad track. The processor is configured to analyze the image data by applying one or more algorithms configured to find boundaries of a railroad tie and determine one or more condition metrics associated with the railroad tie.

Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pulling machine for unloading and laying railway tracks, which moves by means of caterpillar tracks running next to the sleepers arranged on the setting bed, with the rail on the provisional supports arranged on the sleepers. The machine comprises a cabin and two caterpillar tracks and includes, in its rear tractor part, a pulling slide that comprises a tube with fastening elements, said tube sliding horizontally, actuated by a hydraulic cylinder comprising a piston connected to the tube, via three dismountable metal supports provided with teflon elements for facilitating the sliding, said metal supports being connected to steel elements acted upon by articulated arms generating the vertical movement by means of the action of another hydraulic cylinder, always maintaining the pulling direction. The machine pulls the rails without needing an auxiliary track, maintaining the position of the track-laying train.

Abstract: A railroad tie removal machine for removing a railroad tie from beneath a pair of rails. The machine includes a movable frame, wherein when the frame is in a stationary location, a workspace is defined with respect to the stationary frame. A tie shear workhead and a kicker workhead are both mounted to the frame. The tie shear workhead includes two sets of shears configured and arranged to divide the tie into a center portion and two outer portions. The kicker workhead includes at least one kicker configured and arranged to outwardly kick corresponding outer portions of the cut tie from under the associated rail.

Abstract: A railroad tie maintenance vehicle is configured to seal spike holes in a railroad tie formed by the removal of railroad spikes. The vehicle includes a chassis with an integrated operator work station. The vehicle may move along railroad tracks with a plurality of wheels that support the chassis and that are configured to engage at least one railroad track. A motive power source, supported on the chassis, may be controlled by an operator within the operator work station to propel the vehicle along the railroad tracks. At least one storage vessel on the chassis contains a chemical solution used to fill the spike holes. At least two injection devices on the chassis are remotely controlled by the single operator, possibly by the operation of a single controller such as a joystick, to move into alignment with respective spike holes and to fill the spike holes with the chemical solution.

Abstract: A railway nipper machine is provided that includes a nipper frame having a pair of nipper hooks for performing a nipping operation, and a position feedback device having a central control module configured for controlling the nipping operation based on a depth signal and a time signal. Further included in the nipper machine is a depth sensor connected to the position feedback device for generating the depth signal relative to a nipper actuator connected to the nipper frame, wherein the depth sensor transmits the depth signal to the position feedback device. A timer is provided for generating the time signal, and the nipper machine is actuated by the nipper actuator in response to a determination value generated by the position feedback device based on the depth signal and the time signal.

Abstract: A head assembly is provided for use with adzer machine. The head assembly may have a lift frame, and a cutting head rotationally connected to the lift frame. The head assembly may also have a skid, and a single-acting hydraulic cylinder connecting the skid to the lift frame. The head assembly may further have a spring connecting the skid to the lift frame.

Abstract: The invention discloses an on-line laser processing vehicle for a rail, including a chassis, a vehicle body, a steer-control chamber and a container; the steer-control chamber includes a console, a CCD monitoring system and a drive-switching operating system; a dual driving system and switching mechanism, which with a process-operation driving system, a conventional operation driving system and a switching mechanism, is disposed in the container; the process-operation driving system operates to provide driving power for the laser processing vehicle during laser processing, and precisely controls moving speed and distance of the laser processing vehicle; the switching mechanism operates to implement switching between the conventional operation driving system and the process-operation driving system.

Abstract: A cribbing work head including a work head frame having a longitudinal extent and a lateral extent. At least two inverted U-shaped work arms are mounted parallel to one another on the work head frame and spaced longitudinally from each other for lateral reciprocating movement on the frame, each of the work arms having a replaceable tool secured to each free end of the inverted U-shaped work arm. A separate fluid power double cylinder is secured to the work head frame and to each of the inverted U-shape work arms for independently laterally reciprocating the work arms. A main cylinder of each of said fluid power double cylinders is operable to laterally reciprocatingly move a respective work arm and a secondary cylinder of each of the fluid power double cylinders operable to move a respective work arm to one of two discrete lateral starting points.

Abstract: A rail guide for loading railroad rails onto a rail train. The rail guide includes a guide beam disposed to depend vertically downward over each shelf in a rack on a rack car. The guide beam extends substantially the length of the rack car and is coupled to a corresponding guide beam of an adjacent car via a bridge that is configured to accommodate relative movement between the cars. A shoe is provided that is coupled to a leading end of a rail to be loaded. The shoe includes a follower that engages the guide beam to guide a rail being loaded along a path defined by the guide beam. The guide beam can provide vertical and lateral support to the leading end of the rail during loading.

Abstract: A stabilizer is disclosed for use in stabilizing and maintaining the spacing between a pair of railway rails during rail tie replacement. The stabilizer comprises a rod having a length and a pair of ends. A pair of rail clamps is carried by the rod, and each clamp is configured to engage one of the rails and secure the rail relative to the rod. An expanding member is carried by the rod and configured to selectively expand along the length of the rod between its ends to engage a structure proximal to the rails, wherein, upon engagement of the rails by the rail clamps and the expanding member with the structure, the rails are maintained in substantially fixed relationship to each other and to the structure, but are free to be moved vertically relative to the structure.

Abstract: A method for delivering ballast to a section of railroad track includes measuring an existing ballast profile of a section of railroad track using a remote sensing system, and providing a signal indicative thereof to a first computer. Using the first computer, the existing ballast profile is compared with an ideal ballast profile to compute a track file representing a volume of additional ballast needed as a function of linear position along the section of railroad track, and data representing the track file is transmitted to a second computer of an automatic ballast dump train. Ballast is dumped along the section of railroad track according to the track file under control of the second computer.

Abstract: A railroad tie removal machine for removing a railroad tie from beneath a pair of rails. The machine includes a movable frame, wherein when the frame is in a stationary location, a workspace is defined with respect to the stationary frame. A tie shear workhead and a kicker workhead are both mounted to the frame. The tie shear workhead includes two sets of shears configured and arranged to divide the tie into a center portion and two outer portions. The kicker workhead includes at least one kicker configured and arranged to outwardly kick corresponding outer portions of the cut tie from under the associated rail.

Abstract: An anchor cribbing machine includes a pair of ballast cribbing assemblies and a pair of rail clamp assemblies. The ballast cribbing assemblies are hydraulically-driven to push ballast away from the opposing sides of a railroad tie so that an anchor may be applied to the rail at the tie location. The ballast cribbing assemblies include support beams that are movable longitudinally relative to the rails and rotatable between an operative and a stowed position. The rail clamp assemblies are configured to engage the rail to prevent the machine from being driven off the rails in operation.

Abstract: A dimensionally stable combination of wood and inorganic material is provided as railway sleepers or ties. The wood is preferably a softwood impregnated with an alkali-metal or alkaline earth-metal silicate solution, which has been rendered water insoluble after impregnation. Preferably sodium silicate (water glass) is used as the solution. Any cracks, gaps, shakes, splits, or the like, remaining after impregnation are filled so as to deny entry of water, ice, snow, and debris into such cracks, etc. Predrilled holes in the ties receive deeply threaded railway spikes, capped by a hexagonal cap to hold the rails. Preferably, the spikes and caps are coated with a similar solution to provide both corrosion protection and strong bonding of the components.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a finished-part track for an inclined conveyor system having a conveying platform and a counterweight in opencast mining, comprising the following steps: providing a foundation; placing at least one base element, which comprises base members and cross members, onto the foundation; fastening the base element to the foundation; placing track elements onto the base element, while adjustable spacer elements, at least one respective shear cleat, and a support are arranged between the base element and track element; and orienting the track elements relative to one another, with respect to the respective base elements, by means of the spacer elements.

Abstract: A rail loading and unloading machine includes a plurality of cars for pick-up, processing, and loading of ribbon rail segments on a rail transport train. A pick-up car provides a rail lifting and manipulating apparatus for pick-up of rail from alongside the machine. A guide box aids guiding of the rail toward a primary drive unit. A crossover car includes components to steer the rail to a right or left side of the machine for processing and loading. A processing car includes a cutting station, drill station, crane, and secondary drive unit. The drill station is retractably stowed below a walkway to provide workspace for an operator to install joining plates on segments of rail. The secondary drive unit is disposed opposite the cutting and drill stations from the primary drive unit such that separate sections of rail on opposite sides of a cut or joint can be driven independently.

Abstract: A guide box for a rail loading and unloading machine. The guide box guides a rail from a ground location toward a drive unit and can be provided with actuators to enable steering of the rail. The guide box includes a base roller that underlies a rail path through the guide box. An arm extends upwardly along each side of the rail path and carries a guide roller. The arms are pivotable toward one another to abut the guide rollers over the rail path and thereby capture the rail between the guide rollers and the base roller or away from one another to enable insertion of a rail therebetween. The guide rollers are vertically pivotable to enable obstructions on the rail to pass through the guide box.

Abstract: A drill station for a rail loading and unloading machine. The drill station is provided between primary and secondary drive units to enable adjacent ends of a pair of sections of rail to be driven independently by a respective drive unit to position the ends on the drill station for drilling. The drill station is raised from a stowed position below a walkway to conduct a drilling operation and retracted to provide workspace for an operator to install joining plates on segments of rail.

Abstract: The invention relates to a railway work vehicle comprising a chassis supported by a drive mechanism and work devices supported by the chassis. According to the invention, the transportation of material within the work vehicle below and/or above and/or next to the working devices can be improved by using at least one conveyor track on which conveyor bodies for objects or objects forming conveyor bodies, in the form of a parcelled goods, can be driven along the working vehicle.

Abstract: A rail fastener orienter is provided for orienting rail fasteners to a desired orientation, the fasteners having a head, an opposite tip and a shank connecting the head to the tip, and being sequentially provided to the orienter in one of a head right, head left, head up and head down orientation. The orienter includes a frame having an upper end and an opposite lower end, and defining a track with an inlet adjacent the upper end, and an outlet adjacent the lower end, the track dimensioned for slidingly and rotatingly accommodating the shank. At least one stage holder is provided for accommodating the fastener in the track as the head is at least partially engaged by at least one bumper for repositioning to a desired one of the orientations, such that the fastener reaches the outlet in the desired orientation after axial rotation.

Abstract: A railroad tie hardware removing apparatus and methods are provided. The apparatus includes one or more tool mechanisms each carrying one or more tools. The tools are positionable relative to a mounting structure or tower of a concrete railroad tie to remove the tower therefrom. Once the towers are removed, the tie can be pulled from underneath rails supported by the tie.

Abstract: A stabilizer is disclosed for use in stabilizing and maintaining the spacing between a pair of railway rails during rail tie replacement. The stabilizer comprises a rod having a length and a pair of ends. A pair of rail clamps is carried by the rod, and each clamp is configured to engage one of the rails and secure the rail relative to the rod. An expanding member is carried by the rod and configured to selectively expand along the length of the rod between its ends to engage a structure proximal to the rails, wherein, upon engagement of the rails by the rail clamps and the expanding member with the structure, the rails are maintained in substantially fixed relationship to each other and to the structure, but are free to be moved vertically relative to the structure.

Abstract: A railroad alignment system for easily and efficiently lifting and aligning railroad tracks during installation. The railroad alignment system generally includes first vertical support and a second vertical support with a horizontal support extending therebetween. The vertical supports are vertically adjustable through use of a pair of adjustment members. A clamp assembly extends downwardly from the horizontal support at a position midway between the first vertical support and second vertical support. Through use of a pair of adjustment members, the clamp assembly may be closed to secure a track in place for alignment and lifting.

Abstract: An automatic device for the change of rail (1), particularly for overhead rails, supported in the air comprising a moveable frame (2) linearly displaceable along a support (3) including two roller assemblies (A, B) which may be located in parallel at each side of the rail (4a, 4b) in operating condition, being each of the roller assemblies (A, B) articulated to the support (3), wherein at least one of the roller assemblies is articulated with rotating capacity, so that it is capable to swivel in respect to an articulation point (6), the support (3) being articulated with rotating capacity on the moveable frame (2), for which reason it is capable to rotate in respect to said moveable frame permitting an unlimited number of changes of rail without reducing the operating speed in the change of rail.

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 system for guiding rails onto a rail train having rail cars with a plurality of vertically spaced rail support shelves includes upwardly opening guide channels extending from funnel members position at the end of the rail car to each shelf in alignment with the outermost rail receiving pockets of each shelf. A guide shoe with a horizontal roller recessed therein and projecting below the bottom of the shoe is mounted on the end of a rail threaded across the shelves and guide channels of the rail support car. An alternative guide shoe further includes vertically extending rollers projecting from the sides of the guide shoe.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the protection of a railroad rail, a direct fixation plate or another support unit, a rail to rail connection and a rail to plate connection contacting with concrete upon placing of concrete during construction. The method comprises a step of disposing a mask over a railroad track having a railroad rail, a rail connector and a rail tie to protect the railroad track while placing concrete, the mask configured to cover the rail connector and tie. The mask has a connecting portion, a central portion, an extending portion configured to mask an upper longitudinally extending portion of a railroad rail, and at least one perpendicular section disposed to cover a railroad tie, direct fixation plate or other support unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus 10 for the application or removal of one or more railway track fasteners 12. The apparatus comprises a support frame assembly 14, a drive assembly 16 mounted to the support frame assembly 14, and a workhead 18 operatively coupled to the drive assembly 16. The workhead 18 includes a tool 20 designed for applying or removing the fasteners 12 wherein the drive assembly 16 is powered to activate the workhead 18 and the associated tool 20 which contacts the fastener 12 in a hammering action.