Abstract: The new rails to be laid are heated continuously in order to be neutralized. For this purpose, they are raised and exposed to a source of heat in the form of two heating tunnels which are mounted on a vehicle running in a continuous manner on the old rails. Each heating tunnel is traversed by a stretch of new rail. Simultaneously, the old rails are detached from the sleepers, and, after the passage of the vehicle, are deposited along the track or are cleared away. The heating vehicle is followed by an assembly vehicle by means of which the new rails, brought to and maintained at the temperature of neutralization, are laid continuously on the sleepers and are fastened thereto. In front of the heating vehicle, there is provided, on the old track, a welding vehicle for welding the new rails.

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 ballast conveyor unit extending in the longitudinal direction and having an input end receiving the cleaned ballast from the ballast screening installation and a discharge end, a chute arranged at the excavating chain for receiving the cleaned ballast from the discharge end of the ballast conveyor unit, the chute having at least one outlet opening, a conveyor band associated with each outlet opening for receiving the cleaned ballast from the outlet opening and having a discharge end for discharging the cleaned ballast on the exposed subgrade, a variable speed drive for operating each conveyor band to impart thereto a desired conveying s

Abstract: A dust suppression system is particularly designed for the control of dust generated by a self-propelled, on-site, shoulder ballast cleaning machine. The shoulder ballast cleaning machine scoops up the stone ballast of a railroad track bed, separates the ballast from dirt and debris, and replaces the ballast along the shoulder of the track bed. The dust suppression system includes a main pressure line extending along the length of the shoulder ballast cleaning machine, and a plurality of branch lines connecting the main line to spray assemblies positioned on the shoulder ballast cleaning machine at areas of primary dust generation. The various assemblies provide a liquid spray pattern to moisten the air borne dust and debris, neutralizing the static electricity charge of the dust and debris, and/or increasing the particulate weight, and causing the dust and debris to rapidly settle.

Abstract: A track working machine for the controlled lowering of a track comprises a machine frame, at least one undercarriage supporting the machine frame on the track for mobility in an operating direction, a track stabilization unit for compacting the ballast whereby the track is lowered, the track stabilization unit being vertically adjustably mounted on the machine frame and including rail-engaging roller tools subjected to substantially horizontal vibrations extending transversely to the machine frame and the track, and a broom vertically adjustably mounted on the machine frame ahead of the track stabilization unit in the operating direction, the broom being rotatable about an axis extending transversely to the machine frame and the track.

Abstract: A continuously advancing track maintenance machine for compacting ballast comprises a self-propelled machine frame supported on the track for continuous advancement, a power-driven and vertically adjustable track stabilization assembly mounted on the machine frame and comprising rail engaging roller tools, a drive for spreading the roller tools into engagement with the gage sides of the rails, and vibrating means for imparting oscillations to the roller tools in a direction extending substantially in a horizontal plane transversely to the longitudinal machine frame extension whereby the roller tools engaging the rails transmit the oscillations to the track, a device for measuring the amplitudes of the horizontal oscillations, and a reference system for monitoring the track level between an actual level of the track and a desired level thereof.

Abstract: An anchor spreader having a frame which mounts a head assembly for vertical movement between a raised travel position and a lowered operative position, with the head assembly having spreader members which can be positioned adjacent a tie and inwardly a pair of rail-mounted anchors. The spreader members can be moved apart to shift the rail-mounted anchors along the rail away from the tie to spread the anchors. A positive clamp mechanism securely holds the head assembly in position longitudinally of the rail whereby the head assembly can remain in fixed position regardless of the reaction to forces exerted in spreading one or more anchors.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing a carriage linked to a frame of a track working machine on a track comprises a rail sensing element mounted on the carriage for sensing a respective track rail, the rail sensing element being positioned in the radial plane of the flanged wheel when the carriage is placed on the track and emitting a control signal in this position. A hydraulic drive for displacing the carriage transversely with respect to the track links the carriage to the track working machine frame. In response to the control signal, the operation of the hydraulic drive and the transverse displacement of the carriage is interrupted.

Abstract: Apparatus for excavating ballast from a railroad bed adjacent to the cross ties of a railroad track and for cleaning the excavated ballast for return thereof to the railroad bed. The apparatus includes a vehicle for supporting a pair of excavating assemblies on opposite sides of the support vehicle and thus on opposite sides of the railroad track and a discrete cleaning station for each of the separate excavating assemblies. Each cleaning station is disposed for receiving and cleaning the ballast excavated by the associated excavating assembly.

Abstract: A ballast tamping machine comprises a tamping head comprising pairs of vibratory tamping tools immersible in the ballast and reciprocable in the operating direction and opposite thereto for tamping ballast under the ties, a track lifting and lining unit preceding the tamping head in the operating direction, and a device for substantially uniformly distributing ballast. The device has an outlet associated with each tamping tool for discharging ballast at the associated tamping tool.

Abstract: A rotary dump wagon for handling ballast having a carriage with a first conveyor mounted thereon for conveying ballast the length of the carriage and a plurality of hollow drums supported by the carriage and engaging the first conveyor for rotational movement thereabout. Each drum has a plurality of elongated flights mounted to the inner surface thereof for lifting ballast to the first conveyor and at least one downwardly extendible plow blade suspended therein which selectively contacts the upper surface of the first conveyor thereby diverting ballast traveling thereon to the lower portion of the drum. A second conveyor is pivotally mounted to the carriage subjacent the discharge end of the first conveyor for horizontal movement about a vertical axis and extends upwardly and forwardly beyond the forward end of the carriage and above the first conveyor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a railway-track renewal train into a train for laying new railway track. The railway-track renewal train includes a first truck bearing on a bogie rolling on a renewed track, a second truck bearing on spaced first and second bogies of which the first bogie rolls on an old track and the second bogie moves on old ties or sleepers, and various means for removing the old rails and sleepers and for laying new rails and sleepers. The bogie of the first truck is mounted onto a vehicle designed to remain on site and having a motor for moving the vehicle on the ballast or platform. The vehicle is moved in the direction of movement of the renewal train or in the opposite direction dependent on whether an old railway track is removed or new track is laid.

Abstract: A mobile machine arrangement for excavating ballast from a ballast bed, for cleaning the excavated ballast and for redistributing the cleaned ballast to the ballast bed, comprises a first, elongated machine frame and a second machine frame supported for mobility on a track. Mounted on the first machine frame are a track lifting device, a ballast excavating chain including a transverse course insertable in a central ballast bed portion under the track for excavating ballast from the central ballast bed portion, and a first ballast cleaning screen arranged to receive the excavated ballast from the excavating chain.

Abstract: A machine for detaching tie anchors from the rails of a railroad track comprises a self-propelled machine frame mounted on undercarriages for movement along the track in an operating direction, and two workheads mounted on the machine frame and positioned opposite each other in a direction extending transversely to the machine frame. Each workhead is associated with a respective rail for detaching the tie anchors therefrom and comprises a hammer arranged to press against a field-side tie anchor end, and drives for adjusting the hammer vertically and in a direction extending longitudinally with respect to the machine frame for pressing the hammer against the field-side tie end.

Abstract: Apparatus for excavating ballast from a railroad bed and for cleaning the excavated ballast for return thereof to the railroad bed. The apparatus includes a vehicle for supporting a pair of excavating assemblies on opposite sides of the support vehicle and thus on opposite sides of the railroad track and a discrete cleaning station for each of the separate excavating assemblies. Each cleaning station is disposed for receiving and cleaning the ballast excavated by the associated excavating assembly. Each excavating assembly includes, in spaced, serial relation, a forward excavating wheel, an undercutter, and a second or rear excavating wheel.

Abstract: A unitary one-quarter mile long railroad rail which is free of weld seams. The rail is produced via a process including continuous rolling and asymmetric cooling.

Abstract: The specification discloses an improved railroad track curve liner for more accurately locating track transition points to more accurately calculate an improved track configuration as a funcion of the existing track configuration. The curve liner is mounted on a track tamper. During a first pass over the track, the curve liner acquires track ordinate information. After calculating the ideal track configuration, the tamper laterally shifts the track to the ideal configuration in a second pass over the track. The improved track configuration is calculated in recognition that the ordinate graph is not linear in all areas--particularly at tract transition points.

Abstract: Rehabilitation machine (10) for railway road beds, which comprises a framework (11) rested on a front bogie (12) and rear bogie (13), cabs (14-15) to drive the machine during its travels, an excavation chain (20) cooperating with a hopper (21) in the transfer of excavated material onto an elevator (22), and a leading end (24) and trailing end (124) relative to the direction of advance (19) of the machine (10), and also comprises at one end a first front conveyor (27) to deliver a mixture of aggregate materials (26) and a second front conveyor (33) to deliver metalling (32) towards the machine (10) and also discharge conveyors (23) to discharge excavated material from the machine (10).

Abstract: Railway track is laid by supporting the rails in spacers above a pair of parallel flexible tubes, which are then filled with aggregate under pressure to contact the feet of the rails and to curl around the feet so that when set the rail is continuously supported and no sleepers or ballast are required.

Abstract: System to feed and discharge materials continuously for the rehabilitation f railway road beds and the like in cooperation with operational machines (21) coupled to a plurality of waggons (10) storing such materials, in which system each storage waggon (10) comprises:hopper (11) to contain materials, with lower movable shutters (12) to open and close the hoppers (11),a lower conveyor (13) cooperating with the hoppers (11) and extending substantially along the whole length of the waggon (10) in a horizontal plane,a upper conveyor (14) extending substantially along the whole length of the waggon (10) in a horizontal plane, andan almost vertical conveyor (16) cooperating with the lower conveyor (13) in the transfer of materials.

Abstract: The railcar includes: an operating unit provided with equipment for removing the old tracks and with supporting elements for advancing on the old sleepers stripped of their tracks, and, in sequence: first elements for gripping the old sleepers, capable of executing controlled cyclic oscillatory and vertical movements to grip the old sleepers, for removing them from their original seat and depositing them on a removal conveyor; a rotary operating element, capable of executing controlled cyclic oscillatory and vertical movements for the prearrangement of each seat stripped of its related old sleeper; at least one strike element, susceptible to longitudinal motion with respect to the frame of the operating unit and subject to fluid actuated control elements for the compaction of the new laying plane in each prepared seat; second grip elements, capable of executing controlled cyclic oscillatory and vertical movements for controllably resting them on the laying plane of each regenerated and compacted seat; and str

Abstract: A mobile track working machine comprises a machine frame and an apparatus for lifting and laterally moving the track in a switch section, which apparatus comprises a vertically and laterally movable tool carrier frame, power-actuated drives linking the tool carrier frame to the machine frame for vertically and laterally moving the tool carrier frame with respect to the machine frame, a pair of flanged wheels supporting the tool carrier frame for mobility on the track, a respective one of the flanged wheels being associated with each track rail and serving as track lining element, and a respective rail gripping device mounted on the tool carrier frame for engagement with the field side of the associated rail and including a first rail gripping hook transversely and vertically adjustable for engagement with the associated rail and a rail gripping member of a different type for subtending the rail head at the field side of the associated rail.

Abstract: An attachment for railroad track maintenance equipment utilizes a parallelogram linkage to position a vibrating skid on the surface of the interstitial ballast intermediate railroad crossties to loosen such ballast for subsequent removal by an undercutter device which is a part of the track maintenance equipment.

Abstract: An anchor spreader having a frame which mounts a head assembly for vertical movement between a raised travel position and a lowered operative position and with the head assembly having spreader members which can be positioned immediately above a tie and inwardly of portions of rail-mounted anchors extending above the tie. The spreader members can be moved apart to shift the rail-mounted anchors along the rail away from the tie to achieve the anchor spreading. Positive clamp structure securely holds the head assembly in position longitudinally of the rail whereby the head assembly can remain in fixed position regardless of the reaction to forces exerted in spreading one or more rail mounted anchors.

Abstract: A mobile machine arrangement for exchanging old track ties for new track ties comprises first and second machine units, a drive for propelling each machine unit independently along the track in an operating direction, an operator's cab for each machine unit, each machine unit comprising a bridge-like machine frame, a tie loading car coupled to the machine frame and undercarriages supporting the machine frame and the tie loading car on the track, a respective tie exchange device for laterally pulling old ties out of the track mounted on the machine frame of the leading machine unit and for laterally inserting new ties into the track mounted on the machine frame of the trailing machine unit, each tie exchange device comprising power-driven vertically and longitudinally adjustable tie gripping devices, a control for the tie exchange device mounted on each machine unit, and a tie transport arrangement mounted on the machine frame and tie loading car of each machine unit.

Abstract: A railway train set intended to be used for the renewal of railroads, which comprises an operative assembly with two mutually coupled vehicles, the first of which is provided with two axles or bogies and the second is articulated at one of its own ends to a point of the first vehicle, situated in a position cantilevered with respect to its axles, and is provided at its opposite end with a single axle or bogie; the first vehicle includes a device situated between the two axles for removing the old rails, a device for allowing the second axle to advance on the old sleepers deprived of the rails, and a device for handling the old and the new equipment; the second vehicle includes a device for the removal of the old sleepers, a device for levelling or displacing or scarifying the ballast and a device for laying the new sleepers, as well as structure for allowing the second vehicle to advance on the new sleepers not yet provided with the new rails; and in the region of the articulation between the two vehicles the

Abstract: In the formation of finished slide surfaces for slide rails on a track for an electromagnetically levitated vehicle, the track is constructed as a girder-like beam with the slide rails located on cantilevered parts of the upper surface of the beam. The beam can be formed of prestressed concrete. Initially the slide rails are provided with a height oversize. The height oversize part of the slide rails is removed and the slide surface of the rails are finished to the desired degree. The height oversize part is removed by cutting and grinding devices mounted on a machine frame movable over the upper surface of the track. The machine frame is adjustable in the vertical direction from a datum plane formed by the lower surfaces of support stators secured to the undersides of the cantilevered parts of the track. The machine frame rides on the upper surface of the beam and is in contact with the lower surfaces of the support stators.

Abstract: There is provided a tool for stone-blowing comprising upper and lower mating parts (13, 14), the upper part being tubular and the lower part being mainly of channel section and having its lower end closed off by a transverse wall. The wall is shaped internally (19) to direct stones laterally and is shaped externally (22) to facilitate driving the tool into the ground adjacent a sleeper (33) so that the open front of the channel communicates with a void (34) beneath the sleeper. On the upper part is a hopper (11) for stones and below the hopper opening into the upper part is a compressed air inlet (26) and a port (24). In use, compressed air is directed at the rear wall and entrains air through the port (24) and the hopper (11) thereby propelling the stones down the tool and through the open front of the channel and into the void (34).

Abstract: A tile making machine in which tiles are formed on pallets conveyed in succession through the machine has laterally spaced, longitudinally extending tracks for supporting the pallets. The pallets can be supported at different heights by the provision of a fixed track to provide a relatively low track level and another track removably supported by the fixed track to provide a higher track level. The higher track level enables pallets for tiles of flatter profile to be conveyed without requiring the pallet to have an excessive depth.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus arranged to store and transport bulk material comprises a box car having a frame and a box for storing and transporting the bulk material. A conveyor band arrangement for conveying the bulk material stored in the box in a conveying direction has a portion extending over the length of the box in the lower portion thereof and passes through a slot-shaped outlet opening in a front wall of the box in the conveying direction, and a device having adjustable chutes for selectively discharing the conveyed bulk material to the right and to the left of each rail is arranged outside the box and receives the conveyed bulk material therefrom.

Abstract: An alignment system and method are described for aligning and supporting facing ends of two rails so that they can be secured together (e.g., by welding or bonding). The alignment system includes a pair of lift plates to support the ends of the rails. The lift plates are able to adjust the relative vertical positions of the ends of the rails to be joined and are also able to adjust the angular position or attitude of the rail ends. A pair of adjustable gauge members are separately attached at one end to the lift plate and at the opposite end to a rail member parallel to the rails to be joined. The gauge members are adjustable as to length so that the lateral position of the rails to be joined can be determined and controlled. After the ends of the two rails are properly aligned they can be joined together (e.g., by welding or bonding).

Abstract: A mobile ballast cleaning apparatus comprises a first and a second work vehicle. A track lifting device and a vertically adjustable ballast excavating and conveying chain are mounted on the first work vehicle, and a ballast screening installation for separating waste from cleaned ballast and a waste conveyor means for removing the waste are mounted on the second work vehicle.

Abstract: A method for sequentially exchanging selected consecutive groups of old ties for groups of new ties while retaining groups of old ties between the selected old ties in a railroad track consisting of two rails fastened to the ties supported on ballast, which method comprises advancing at least one elongated bridge-like work vehicle along the track, sequentially operating a succession of different individual devices mounted on the advancing work vehicle to remove rail fastening elements whereby the selected ties are detached from the rails, to remove tie plates positioned between the detached ties and the rails, to withdraw the detached ties laterally from the track, to scarify the ballast where the detached ties have been withdrawn whereby shaped recesses are formed in the ballast under the rails, to insert new ties in the shaped recesses, to place new tie plates between the new ties and the rails, to tamp ballast under the new ties, and to fasten the rails to the new ties.

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 method and apparatus for reconditioning ballast along a railroad track utilizes lateral excavators to excavate the ballast adjacent the track ahead of an undercutter which excavates beneath the track. The ballast from adjacent the track is discharged below the track without processing, while the ballast taken from beneath the track is processed by a cleaning screen to recover reuseable ballast which is discharged outwardly of the center of the track.

Abstract: A track working machine comprising a frame mounted for mobility on the track, an operating unit mounted on the frame, the operating unit including tools for working on the track and a drive for moving the machine along the track in an operating direction, and an operator's stand including a seat for the operator and a control panel and actuating element for the drive associated with the seat for operation by the operator, the operator's stand with the seat and drive actuating element being pivotal about a vertical axis between two end positions in the operating direction and in a direction opposite to the operating direction, respectively, in relation to the frame and the operating unit, and being blocked in each one of the end positions.

Abstract: The invention is designed to automatically lay or maintain railroad tracks. The machine is positioned on prior laid rails, with fixing elements, such as track bolts, clips, spring washers and nuts in order to lock the rails to plates already integral with supporting ties. Guides direct each type of the elements along at least one specific routing path that commences at a charging area, passes across a vibrator designed to place the elements in predetermined positions, and terminates at a rotary table designed to accept each type of the elements. Assembly stations expel pre-assembled sets of the elements toward magazines which are able to house, in alignment, a plurality of the pre-assembled sets. The positioning machine is a railroad car which is movable on rails carrying a plurality of the magazines. The pre-assembled sets are sent to laying equipment designed to fix them to the plates. The laying equipment is connected to supports that cause the equipment to inch even when the car is constantly moving.

Abstract: A track-laying auxiliary thrust unit is connectable to a steerable wheeled or skid-mounted vehicle to add thrust and reduce the per unit area force on the ground. Various couplings are disclosed for interconnecting the thrust unit with the vehicle. The thrust unit derives its primary power from the vehicle which it is assisting through hydraulic hoses, a mechanical connection or an electrical interconnection. Thrust units in accordance with the invention are particularly useful in agricultural contexts for towing large and heavy agricultural implements with a tractor of modest capability.

Abstract: A railway train set intended for the renewal of railway tracks, comprising an operative assembly provided with apparatus for removing the old rails, and with apparatus for allowing at least one of the axles to advance on the railway track already deprived of the rails, this latter apparatus comprising an auxiliary bogie which is liftable and lowerable. Rail sections are provided which are disposed, during the working periods, below the auxiliary bogie and below the axle in question of the operative assembly, respectively, for being travelled on while resting on the underlying sleepers. There is structure for displacing forward in a longitudinal direction the first and second rail sections during the periods in which they are not subjected to the load of the weight of the vehicle.

Abstract: An arrangement for excavating bulk material from a track bed and for conveying the excavated bulk material, which comprises an endless driven excavating and conveying chain vertically adjustably mounted on a frame of a track working machine, and a guide wherein the chain is guided in an endless path. The chain is comprised of a succession of chain links and joints connecting adjacent chain links, the joints having two pivoting axles for the adjacent chain links, the axles extending perpendicularly to each other to permit pivoting of the chain links.

Abstract: Railroad track ballast is cleaned with a continuously advancing ballast cleaning machine along a section of the track ahead of, at and behind an obstacle extending along a shoulder of the track while the machine continuously advances by detaching and removing a number of the ties between the two spaced apart undercarriages of the machine, laterally pivoting the excavating chain on the machine ahead of the obstacle to move the transverse ballast excavating chain stringer away from the obstacle towards the track axis, continuing excavating, receiving and delivering the ballast to the cleaning installation on the machine, cleaning the ballast, returning the cleaned component and removing the waste component while continuously advancing the machine, laterally pivoting the excavating chain behind the obstacle until the transverse excavating chain stringer is substantially centered with respect of the track axis, and continuously re-inserting and fastening the ties to the rails in said section of the track where th

Abstract: A tie lifting machine comprises a reciprocating tie removing member provided with retractable push fingers for removing the ties from the ballast and pushing them onto an upwardly inclined ramp to an intermediate position, a fork-like tie lifting member adapted to lift the ties from the intermediate position up to a belt conveyor running in the direction of travel of the machine, and a tie pusher adapted, when the tie lifting member is in its upper position, to transfer the ties carried by this member to the belt conveyor.

Abstract: A spike-driving machine for use in driving spikes into railroad ties and including a rail clamping apparatus for securing the machine to the rails while spikes are being driven into the rails. The rail clamping apparatus can employ only a single hydraulic cylinder and is constructed so as to firmly grip the rails even if the heads of the rails are substantially worn and also constructed so as to grip a variety of different sizes of rails whether or not those rails are new rails or substantially worn.

Abstract: A box car for storing bulk material and useful for incorporation in a freight train preceding a ballast cleaning machine for transporting waste material coming from the machine, the box car comprising a frame defining a plane, a box open on top and mounted on the frame for storing the bulk material, and a conveyor band arrangement in a lower portion of the box and extending in the direction of elongation of the box car. The conveyor band arrangement has a width substantially equal to that of the lower box portion and comprises a first portion extending in the plane and an ascending portion extending in this direction from the first portion of the conveyor band arrangement beyond the frame, a drive for the conveyor band arrangement, and a bulkhead partition in the box, the bulkhead partition being displaceable in this direction for dividing the box into compartments. The bulkhead partition has a lower end defining a port with the first conveyor band arrangement portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for removing railroad track, comprising an elongated frame arranged to straddle a pair of rails and having elongated skids arranged to sit upon and slide along the ends of ties secured to the rails on the outboard sides of the rails, a rail and tie separating assembly mounted on the frame for separating lengths of rail from the ties to which the lengths of rail are secured, a rail elevating assembly for lifting lengths of rail which has been separated by the rail and tie separating assembly, and a conveyor for receiving a length of rail lifted by the elevating assembly and longitudinally transporting the rail to one end of the frame.

Abstract: A train for laying railroad track comprises cars for storing ties and a single working truck carrying a gantry and conveyor for transporting ties from the storage cars and laying them in front of the working truck. Roller clamps at opposite sides of the working truck move rails from the sides of the road bed and positioned them on the ties that have been laid. The working truck has a rear bogie running on the rails after they have been positioned and a front bogie supported by a carriage sliding or rolling on railless ties that have been laid on the road bed. The tie laying device is supported in overhanging relationship by the front end of the working truck together with a device for levelling and/or tamping the platform or ballast.

Abstract: In an arrangement for excavating bulk material and for conveying the excavated bulk material, which comprises a main endless excavating and conveying chain vertically adjustably mounted on a frame of a track maintenance machine, a polygonal guide for the chain, the guide including a transverse section operational below the track, an ascending longitudinal section leading from the transverse section, the transverse and ascending sections forming a transition zone, and a descending longitudinal section leading to the transverse section, and a drive for driving the endless chain in the polygonal guide, an auxiliary endless excavating and conveying chain in associated with the polygonal guide at least in the transition zone, and a separate drive is provided for the auxiliary endless chain.

Abstract: A track gauger includes a vertically movable gauger frame having a pair of fixed rail gauge bars extending between the rails upon a lowering of the frame. The gauger frame lies crosswise relative to the frame of a rail vehicle on which it is mounted, and outer edges of the bars are spaced apart in this crosswise direction a fixed distance for establishing a predetermined rail gauge distance. Pivotable rail gauge levers on the gauger frame engage the rails for gauging them at such predetermined distance upon engagement between the rails and the outer edges of the gauge bars. A track pre-gauger is mounted on the front end of the vehicle frame for pre-gauging the rails at such predetermined rail gauge distance.

Abstract: A machine to operate with at least one similar machine along a railway line to remove and install railway track portions and switches, has a portal structure extending transversely and straddling the railway line, and has telescopic uprights connected respectively to different telescopic cross-members, so that the uprights can be moved sideways independently of each other to a width sufficient to straddle a switch. At the base of each upright is a crawler track to run on the ballast at the sides of the railway line or switch. Four flanged wheels are mounted on the telescopic columns on the cross-members to move downwardly and run along the rails of the railway line. Below each cross-member are two pivotal hooks to grip the railway track portions and switches.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting relatively small and deformable elongated rails on a relatively large, generally horizontal, and nondeformable elongated rail beam has a stiff but limitedly elastically deformable elongated jig. A plurality of clamps spaced longitudinally along the jig are engageable with the rail for locking onto the rail at respective longitudinally spaced locations. Respective vertical and horizontal jacks transversely engage between the clamps and the jig for elastically deforming the jig into a desired shape relative to the rail beam. Holders and the like are provided on the jig for securing the deformable rails to the rail beam in predetermined positions relative to the deformed jig. If the rail section is to be curved in any direction the jig is appropriately deformed relative to the rail beam so its various holders and mounting fixtures lie on the appropriate curve. Such elastic deformation of the jig therefore perfectly positions these rail holders.

Abstract: A track work train for successively reconditioning ballast bed zones supporting respective assembled track section comprises a track building vehicle and a plurality of freight cars interconnected for common movement along the track. The track building vehicle includes an elongated frame and two undercarriages supporting the vehicle frame for movement on the track. A hoist is mounted on the vehicle frame for lifting an assembled track section off the ballast bed and the vehicle frame spans a ballast bed reconditioning zone resulting from the lifting of the assembled track section off the ballast bed. A vertically adjustably ballast bed excavator is mounted on the vehicle frame adjacent the hoist and a conveyor band is associated with the excavator. The hoist and the excavator with the associated conveyor band are displaceably mounted on a guide track on the vehicle frame for movement along the vehicle frame in the direction of the track.