Abstract: Present embodiments relate to a tie plate dispenser which aligns tie plates for dispensing based on rail base rather than outer edges of the tie plate. Thus tie plates are aligned and located in a differing manner than prior art systems. Further, the tie plate dispenser includes an opening over which a magnet is disposed to retain a tie plate over the opening. The tie plate over the opening may be selectively released by disengaging the tie plate from the magnet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically offloading railroad ties from a railroad car are described. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a support platform including a support surface to support railroad ties in a vertical stack configuration; a support structure to hold the railroad ties stacked in the vertical stack configuration in a magazine during transit, the support structure defining a gap; a gate transitionable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, wherein the closed configuration blocks at least a portion of the gap, and wherein the open configuration permits passage of the railroad ties through the gap; and a lift structure including at least one member transitionable between a lowered configuration and a raised configuration, wherein the raised configuration positions the member above the support surface to raise an end of the railroad ties to offload the vertical stack.

Abstract: A maintenance vehicle has a vehicle frame, supported on on-track undercarriages, on which are arranged two side walls extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and adjustable with respect to one another and relative to the vehicle frame in a transverse direction of the vehicle by way of drives. The vehicle is equipped with at least one load crane which is displaceable on a crane guide that extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The crane guide, designed to be elongatable in the transverse direction of the vehicle, is connected at each end to a side wall.

Abstract: A cross tie setting apparatus includes a frame with depending, flexible connecting members provided for support of multiple, parallel, generally co-planar, spaced cross ties suspended from the frame. The connecting members include terminal attachment mechanisms for easy connection to ties supported by the frame. The individual ties are thus arrayed in generally parallel, co-planar, side by side relation. The entire assembly may be placed on a rail roadbed and selected ties detached from the connecting members of the frame construction. The remaining ties may then be lifted by the frame and moved to an appropriate adjacent position on the roadbed in a manner which maintains appropriate spacing between the ties.

Abstract: A gantry crane is equipped with devices for transporting old and new ties and with pads, which are provided for spacing the new ties. The device for transporting the pads is provided in the form of pincers having two pincer parts that can be displaced relative to one another in a manner that is normal to a longitudinal direction of the frame. The device for transporting the new ties is located between the device for transporting the pads and the device for transporting the old ties.

Abstract: A method of efficiently delivering replacement railway ties for use in replacing ties that have deteriorated. GPS technology is used to obtain the GPS location of each tie that needs to be replaced. A tie train carrying replacement ties has a GPS monitor so that one or more ties can be unloaded at or near the location of each tie that requires replacement. A tie replacement crew can use a GPS monitor to locate each tie that requires replacement, and the crew can remove those ties and install a nearby replacement tie.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for gripping and releasing a plurality of sleepers intended for a railroad section with the aid of a unit, the arrangement including means for spacing adjacent units equidistantly. The means includes frame-associated and centrally pivotal arms whose outer portions co-act pivotally with one end of a respective brace or link whose other ends are pivotally fastened to a respective outer unit, wherein the central regions of the arms are pivotally fastened to one end of a respective brace or link whose other ends are pivotally fastened to a respective intermediate unit.

Abstract: A combined tie extractor and plate remover for railroad track maintenance includes a frame configured for movement along the track and having a first side corresponding to a first side of the track and a second side corresponding to a second side of the track, each side of the track having a corresponding rail. A rail lifting apparatus associated with the frame is configured for lifting a selected one of the first and second rails away from the track. A plate remover assembly associated with the frame is configured for grasping and removing tie plates associated with each side of the track from a selected tie. At least one tie extracting assembly is disposed on the frame for extracting the gripped tie transversely relative to the track in conjunction with the removal of the tie plates.

Abstract: A rail tie replacement apparatus that includes a frame having a first side associated with a first side of a railroad track, and a second side associated with a second side of a railroad track; gripping mechanisms disposed on each of the sides of the frame and configured for grasping rail ties located in the track; and extending members attached to the gripping mechanisms and the frame. The extending members include a first extending member and a second extending member in a non-axial relationship to each other, and configured for positioning the gripping mechanisms relative to the rail ties. The apparatus further includes fluid powered cylinders attached to the extending members and the frame that are configured to facilitate the reciprocal movement of the extending members.

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 mobile machine for rehabilitating a track has a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction and supported by undercarriages for mobility on the track in an operating direction, the machine frame being composed of a leading frame part with respect to the operating direction and a trailing frame part connected to the leading frame part by an articulation, with at least one working unit being mounted on the machine frame for adjustment relative thereto. A reference system for controlling the position of the working unit is arranged on the leading frame part and consists of a reference line extending in the longitudinal direction between two of said undercarriages, a measuring axle designed to roll on the track, and a measuring device connected to the measuring axle for detecting a movement, transversely to the longitudinal direction, of the measuring axle relative to the reference line.

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 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: A machine for continuously laying a track comprised of two rails fastened to ties includes a machine frame having a first carrier frame and a second carrier frame which are supported successively in longitudinal direction of the machine frame on undercarriages for mobility on the track in an operating direction. A joint so detachably connects the first and second carrier frames to one another that the second carrier frame is positioned above the first carrier frame in an area of the joint and movable relative thereto in longitudinal direction of the machine frame. The first carrier frame is provided with a railway track for mobility of a tie transport device that continuously transports ties in longitudinal direction of the machine frame and includes a mobile crane. The second carrier frame is provided in the area of the joint with an auxiliary vertically adjustable undercarriage for mobility on the railway track of the first carrier frame.

Abstract: A track renewal machine comprises an elongated machine frame supported on undercarriages for mobility in an operating direction, a device for receiving ties of an old track mounted on the machine frame, a device for planing the ballast bed mounted on the machine frame, the planing device comprising a planing shield extending transversely to the machine frame and two transversely spaced boundary shields extending in the longitudinal direction at respective sides of the planing shield, and a device for laying ties of a new track mounted on the machine frame and positioned between the boundary shields.

Abstract: A work train for exchanging old ties for new ties and comprising sequentiy arranged cars including freight cars for storing old ties and new ties, the train extending in a longitudinal direction and the cars being movable in an operating direction along an existing railroad track comprised of rails fastened to the old ties resting on a ballast bed. The train comprises a tie exchange device for laterally pulling respective ones of the old ties out of the track, a crane for transporting the old ties pulled out of the track and movable in the longitudinal direction, the crane comprising a tie gripping device, and a tie transport device on one of the cars at one end of the train for placing the new ties at the one train end.

Abstract: A multiple railroad tie handling method includes simultaneously clamping a layer of closed packed, parallel concrete railroad ties, lifting and moving the clamped group toward a track bed, spreading the clamped ties to the required tie interval spacing, laterally aligning the clamped group with previously laid ties and spacing the group to continue the existing tie spacing, lowering the clamped group to the track bed, and simultaneously releasing the ties on the track bed.

Abstract: A sleeper laying apparatus comprises a mobile chassis having a front portion in the nature of a full trailer furnished with unsprung road wheels (11) permitting it to travel along a bare rail bed. A dual chain storage conveyor (15,16,17,18,19) extends along the front portion of the chassis with supported top chain flights on which a file of sleepers (21A) may rest and be fed, when the storage conveyor is operated, towards the rear of the chassis. The chassis further comprises a trailing rear portion supporting an inclined gravity conveyor (26,27) able to receive sleepers (21A) from the storage conveyor and allow them to gravitate onto the track bed, and a hold back escapement mechanism (32,33,34,35,36,37) disposed above said gravity conveyor in the nature of a dual chain conveyor with abutment arms (37) projecting from its chains (36) into the path of sleepers (21C) on the gravity conveyor to control the movement of sleepers thereon.

Abstract: In a mobile machine for tamping ballast under ties of a railroad track, which comprises a machine frame, spaced undercarriages supporting the machine frame for mobility on the railroad track in an operating direction, and a ballast tamping assembly mounted on the machine frame and comprising a vertically adjustable tamping tool carrier, a drive for vertically adjusting the tamping tool carrier, pairs of vibratory and reciprocatory tamping tools immersible in the ballast upon vertical adjustment of the tamping tool carrier, and drives for vibrating and reciprocating the tamping tools: a first device associated with the ballast tamping assembly for gripping and transversely positioning a respective one of the ties, the first device including a drive for vertically adjusting the device, and a second device operable independently of the first device for transversely displacing a respective one of the ties, the second device including a drive for vertically and transversely adjusting the second device.

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: 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: 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: 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 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: A railway maintenance machine including a carriage or body portion (22) and a boom (38) extending therefrom and functioning to remove railroad ties (88) from a railway bed and insert new ties in place thereof, is disclosed. Latch arms (90), mounted to the underside of the vehicle body (22) can be provided to lock rail portions of the track (86) to the body (22) so that, when the body (22) is jacked up by means provided for this purpose, the tracks (86) will be elvated also. The boom (38) mounts a working element (40) which includes angularly spaced removing and inserting arms (98, 100) which are rotatable to effect removal and insertion of ties (88).

Abstract: In a track working machine for removing excess ballast from a ballast bed arranged to support a track defining a plane and for planing the ballast of the bed, which comprises a frame, undercarriages supporting the frame on the track for movement in a working direction, an improved ballast removing and planing device is mounted vertically adjustably on the frame and includes an endless ballast removing chain comprised of a multiplicity of chain members extending substantially parallel to the track plane, two chain reversing points about which the chain is trained for movement in a plane extending substantially vertically to the track plane, and a drive for moving the chain in the vertical plane and having an axis extending substantially parallel to the track plane, the chain having an upper and a lower stringer, the lower stringer facing away from the frame and projecting forwardly of the upper chain stringer in the working direction.

Abstract: A track renewal train includes a vehicle bridging an intermediate right of way section between an old and a new track section, and this vehicle carries rail spreaders as well as equipment arranged in succession for removing the ties of the old track section, for lowering the level of, and planing, the ballast in the intermediate right of way section and for laying the ties of the new track section. The ballast lowering and placing equipment includes a ballast planing shield mounted on the vehicle and having a width at least equal to the length of the ties of the new track section, a ballast conveyor elevator associated with the ballast planing shield, the elevator extending over the width of the shield and having an input end adjacent the front end of the shield and an output end at the trailing end of the shield, and a ballast dumping conveyor arranged to receive ballast from the output end of the elevator.

Abstract: A railroad track relaying train comprises, in addition to the cars for transporting the ballast screening machines and a car equipped with power-wrenches for fixing the tie-screws, a sequence of working cars including a tie- and rail-removing car, a ballast clearing car, and a tie and rail laying car, these cars being interconnected by means of coupling frames supported by caterpillar trucks adapted to keep the working cars on the selected path. The tie and rail removing car comprises an elevator capable of lifting and rotating at least one tie or a track span around ballast conveyors, in order to deposit at least one tie or track span upon a transport element. The train is capable of performing all of the operations necessary for removing the old track, excavating and screening the old ballast, and laying the new track on the screened ballast, without stopping its forward motion when removing the old track.

Abstract: A ballast plow arrangement comprises two plows arranged on a frame of a track working machine for independent vertical adjustment. Each plow is constituted by an integral plow plate bridging a respective track rail and extending transversely to the central axis of the machine frame into the range thereof, the plow plates having adjacent ends in the range of the central axis and defining an acute angle with each other to form a plow arrangement extending over substantially the entire width of the track. A ballast regulating guide plate is mounted on each plow plate end for selective adjustment between a rest position and an operating position wherein the ballast regulating guide plate projects beyond the central axis.

Abstract: A traveling gantry arrangement for receiving, storing and transporting sets of transversely positioned track ties on a vertically adjustable tie carrier frame has a pair of tie-engaging grippers arranged on the frame for power-driven movement transverse to the track into engagement with the respective tie ends. The tie engaging grippers have support faces of a first width subtending the tie ends, and a pivotal support ledge for each tie end is associated with each tie engaging gripper. The support ledge has a second width substantially exceeding the first width, the widths being measured transverse to the track. A pivot extends in the direction of the track for pivotally supporting a respective support ledge for pivoting in a plane transverse to the track, and a drive pivots the support ledge about the pivot in the transverse plane.

Abstract: A mobile track laying apparatus comprises an elevator on a vehicle movement along a right-of-way for lowering a succession of ties, a roller and gliding conveyor receiving the lowered ties and laying the ties on the ballast as the vehicle moves along the right-of-way in an operating direction, and a guide wheel power-driven to rotate about a horizontal axis extending transversely to the right-of-way, the guide wheel having a plurality of radially extending abutment and entrainment elements arranged to interdigitate between the successively lowered ties in an end region of the conveyors adjacent the ballast.

Abstract: A track renewal train of a plurality of track-bound freight cars storing ties removed from an old track section and ties to be laid for a new track section comprises a work car whose front frame end is pivotally supported on a last freight car. Elongated conveyors are mounted on the work car for conveying the old ties from a tie removing device and the new ties to a tie laying device. A tie transfer vehicle has front and rear gantry undercarriages, the front gantry undercarriage being movable only on the last freight car and the rear gantry undercarriage being movable only on the work car. The tie transfer vehicle includes two tie gripping devices arranged successively in the working direction of the train for simultaneously receiving the old ties and delivering the new ties while the ties are positioned transversely to the old track section.

Abstract: A track renewal train includes a semi-trailer work car which carries track renewal equipment and includes two selectively usable undercarriages for supporting the rear end of the work car. One of the undercarriages is an off-track track-laying bogie supporting the work car on the trackless section where track renewal is effected and the other undercarriage is a vertically movable on-track bogie. A selectively usable on-track bogie supports the forward end of the work car when it is linked thereto, the forward work car end being linked to the last car of the train during track renewal operations.

Abstract: There is described a mobile apparatus for laying of railway tracks. The apparatus includes a working tool carrying chassis capable of laying of new ties, a wagon for transporting and handling of material necessary for the track laying and a carrying bridge structure having one end carried by a rolling support and the other end comprising a rolling support and at least one supplementary retractable rolling support which is adapted to bear on the track bed. The carrying chassis is suspended above a working zone from the carrying bridge structure. The device is characterized in that the carrying bridge structure includes a wagon having only a single rolling support disposed at its end and provided with the aforementioned retractable supplementary rolling support and a longitudinally extending raised chassis which is pivoted at its other end to an overhanging bracket extending from the wagon which transports and handles the material.

Abstract: There is shown a mobile machine for the renewal of railroad tracks which includes a work tool carrying chassis to replace old ties by new ones. The machine comprises two wagons, one of which is arranged to transport stock and handle the materials necessary for the track replacement and one of the two wagons rolls and advances on the new reconstituted track. The work tool carrying chassis is interposed between rolling supports of the wagons in a work zone and is suspended from a connecting member on each of the two wagons. The geometrical disposition of the supports and of the joints between the two wagons is such that the longitudinal axis of the tool carrying chassis, in the plane of the track, is automatically tangential with the longitudinal axis of the track. One of the two wagons has two spaced apart rolling supports and is provided with an overhanging extension over the work zone in the form of a bracket terminating in a joint.

Abstract: A railway track renewal or construction car for use in a track renewal or construction train, which car is in the form of a straight beam resting on its ends on two rail engaging bogies, the front of which is adapted to roll on the old track to be renewed and the rear of which runs on the track which just has been renewed. Between the bogies, there is provided a device for removing the rails of the old track, means for discarding the old ties, a means for regulating the ballast, a means for laying new ties and a means for closing the new rails previously laid on either side of the track. In order to permit such a car to operate on a cleared right-of-way where no previous track exists, the car is provided with a telescopic undercarriage which can be lowered onto the ballast of the right of way replacing the front bogie as a front support for the car. The undercarriage is provided with a suitable rolling device such as an endless track.

Abstract: A track renewal train equipped for continuous replacement of track rails and ties has a first train section mounted for movement on an old track section, a second train section mounted for movement on a new track section, and an intermediate train section consisting of a carrier frame and linking the first and second train sections, the carrier frame bridging a trackless intermediate right of way section. The two ends of the carrier frame are coupled to undercarriages respectively running on the old and new track sections and the carrier frame consists of two parts. A vertical pivot couples the two carrier frame parts together for pivotal movement in a plane parallel to the track and a device is provided for pivoting the two carrier frame parts in this plane and for fixing the same in selected positions.

Abstract: A mobile track renewal train comprises a bridge-like elongated carrier frame supported on an old and a new track section on respective on-track undercarriages and bridging an intermediate trackless ballast bed section. A chain guide including a transversely extending guide section is mounted on the carrier frame and encloses a space, the chain guide rising from the transverse guide section adjacent the ballast bed on an upper portion, and an endless excavating chain is supported for movement in the chain guide to excavate ballast from the bed. The carrier frame also supports a tie laying device for laying new ties in a position extending transversely to the carrier frame and a conveyor for transporting the new ties in succession to the tie laying device, the tie laying device being positioned in the enclosed space and the conveyor having a path extending through the space towards the tie laying device.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for transporting track ties comprises a traveling gantry with a frame on which the track ties are received, stored and transported. This frame includes a tie carrier frame mounted for vertical adjustment on the gantry frame, two tie holders mounted on the carrier frame in superposed relationship for simultaneously receiving, storing and transporting two superposed layers of ties, each tie holder having a pair of tie engaging elements arranged for movement transverse to the direction of track elongation into engagement with respective tie ends in a respective layer, the vertical spacing between the pairs of tie engaging elements corresponding to that of the superposed layers of ties, and a separate drive for transversely moving the tie engaging elements of each tie holder. A common power source is connected to the transverse moving drives, a drive for moving the gantry in the direction of track elongation and a drive for vertically adjusting the tie carrier frame on the gantry frame.

Abstract: New railroad crossties are placed on the rails of a railroad track and pushed along the track by a rail mounted vehicle. When the new crosstie is positioned over a crosstie in the railroad bed that it to be replaced, the ballast at one end of the old crosstie is removed, the rails are urged upwardly to relieve the force on the old crosstie, the new crosstie is then grasped and moved along its length laterally across the track until its trailing end clears the exposed end of the old crosstie, then the new crosstie is lowered and pushed against the exposed end of the old crosstie until the new crosstie pushes the old crosstie out from beneath the rails. A work head assembly is mounted at one end of the vehicle and includes a shovel and clamp assembly, and the work head assembly is movable laterally with respect to the rails of the railroad track to clear the soil away from the ends of the old crossties and to grasp and insert the new crossties beneath the rails.

Abstract: A track laying car has a rear undercarriage for moving the car in a working direction on the track rails and track-laying bogie for selective engagement with the ballast bed for moving the car on the ballast bed in the absence of a track for the rear undercarriage. An endless scraper conveyor chain is vertically adjustably mounted on the car and includes a transverse stringer arranged for engagement with the ballast bed for planing the ballast bed and conveying excess ballast from the planed bed, the stringer being arranged in front of the bogie. A tie conveyor is mounted on the car to convey ties in a direction opposite to the working direction to the planed ballast bed behind the bogie and to lay the conveyed ties sequentially on the planed ballast bed, and a ballast conveyor moves in a path arranged to enable the ballast conveyor to receive the excess ballast and to convey it in a direction opposite to the working direction to the rear end of the car where the ties have been laid on the planed ballast bed.

Abstract: The invention is a method of and apparatus for continuously laying sleepers at permanent positions at predetermined intervals on a bed of ballast for a railway track, by means of a vehicle travelling along the track, which method comprises feeding each sleeper in turn from a stock of sleepers to a laying mechanism where the sleeper is held a little above the level of the bed of ballast, removing vertical support from beneath the sleeper at a position in advance of the intended permanent position of the sleeper so that the sleeper falls onto the bed of ballast in advance of its intended permanent position, drawing the sleeper along the bed of ballast until it reaches its intended permanent position and then completely releasing the sleeper in its intended permanent position. The invention permits the sleepers to be laid with greater accuracy than when using prior apparatus.

Abstract: A track renewal train comprised of a plurality of rail freight cars has coupled to its last car a bridge-like car having at respective ends thereof a rail-bound front undercarriage and a rail-bound rear undercarriage, and a track-laying bogie running on the ballast bed intermediate the undercarriages, the bridge-like car being supported with the front undercarriage on a track consisting of old ties and rails, on which the train moves in a working direction, and with the bogie on the ballast bed. Hoists are mounted on the bridge-like car for lifting separated sections of the old track and the lifted track sections are conveyed to selected freight cars.

Abstract: A train assembly for replacement of an old rail track by a new one with long rails comprises a permanently coupled train section including an open-frame wagon with rails carrying gantries for removal of track panels through the open frame and placing new cross-ties. The open-frame wagon has a bogie able to run on the track but retracted during operation and replaced by caterpillar tracks running on the ballast, or by rollers running on the new rails placed temporarily beside the track. The new rails are then brought together and fixed on the newly-placed cross-ties, so that the rear part of the train assembly runs on the new track whereas the front part runs on the old track.