Abstract: A rail ballast management and tie guide ski is provided for use with a rail tie exchanger machine moving along a railroad track. The assembly includes a workhead frame configured for attachment to the tie exchanger, the workhead frame having a vertically oriented sleeve defining a cavity, a tie ski having a generally planar tie engaging surface, an opposite upper surface, a connection point at each of two free ends, and a mounting lug is dimensioned for slidably engaging the cavity, and is pivotally connected to the tie ski. Also connected to said tie guide ski assembly is a pair of fluid power cylinder assemblies, one said cylinder assembly connected to a respective connection point at a first end, and to the sleeve at an opposite second end, such that selective pressurization of said fluid power cylinder assemblies causes reciprocal movement of said tie ski relative to said sleeve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the automatic correction of the position of individual faults (H(n)) of a track formed by rails (16) and sleepers (9) with a track tamping machine (2). After the left and right rails have been surveyed independently by means of an inertial measuring unit (11), the length and position of the individual fault (TAMP, S, E) to be corrected is determined by taking into account a limit value of the individual faults (FLIM) and a maximum extension (smax) in the longitudinal direction of the track (s). The tamping units (7) of the tamping machine (s) are positioned exactly at the starting point (S) and end the tamping at the end point (E) of the determined track correction section (TAMP). Both track sections (FLI,FRE) are tamped and corrected simultaneously.

Abstract: A travelling device may travel along a heavy machinery rail. The traveling device may collect positioning data to assess rail condition and/or installation. The positioning data may be collected using self-contained positioning sensors. Positional deviations indicating an elevated portion, a skewed portion, and/or a twisted portion of the heavy machinery rail may indicate issues with rail condition and/or installation.

Abstract: A method for determining vertical and lateral position faults of a track employs a track position measuring system having a common reference base formed of a single measuring chord disposed centrally between the rails and extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine. Two sensors are disposed on a central track position measuring unit for determining a longitudinal height and for determining a versine. The sensors each contact the measuring chord. Each track position measuring unit has two laser scanners, which are associated with respective rails, for scanning in a y-axis extending normal to a longitudinal direction of the rails and in a z-axis extending in a vertical direction. A track maintenance machine for carrying out track position corrections is also provided. Thus, a simplification of the track position measuring system with increased accuracy can be achieved.

Abstract: The present disclosure is in the area of track alignment machines that maintain, adjust, or measure railroad track alignment. In particular, the present disclosure is directed toward reference systems and their use, including receivers, projectors, and combinations of projectors and receivers used to measure track position.

Abstract: A novel free space optics transceiver is disclosed comprising at least one light source, at least one photodetector, corresponding positioning means that can independently adjust the position of the light source and the photodetector, and a controller that can send and receive alignment frames conforming to a communications protocol to and from a remote optical transceiver and can use information in the incoming alignment frames from the remote optical transceiver to appropriately adjust the position of the light source and the photodetector thereby maximizing the received power of light signals sent by the remote optical transceiver. Also, an alignment method is disclosed wherein the controller continuously adjusts the positions of the light source and the photodetector until a light signal is acquired from a remote optical transceiver. Then, the incoming alignment information is used to adjust the light source position to achieve bi-directional communication with the remote optical transceiver.

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: A railway service vehicle for transporting material into or wheelchair-bound or injured persons away from train accident sites or tunnels includes a body having a platform. Wheels rotatably connected to the body support the body on first and second rails of a railroad track system for non-self propelled movement of the body. At least one mounting device is connected to the platform. A hold-down member releasably connected to the mounting device restrains a wheelchair supported by the platform. A storage/tool container is supported by the platform. At least one passenger seat is connected to the storage/tool container. Opposed first and second containment members are connected to the platform outboard of the mounting device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for positioning and squaring crossties of railway tracks, formed by at least one wagon (1), provided with its own means for traveling over the rails (2) of the railway track under construction in which the crossties (3) have not yet been aligned, which laterally has respective metal profiles (4) arranged longitudinally at the level of the crossties (3) of the track, supported to the main structure of the wagon by means of angled arms (5), which on their inner face have a series of equidistant positioning wedges (7), which are in charge of coming into contact and positioning the crossties previously distributed in the layout, such that the wedges are located between them, pushing them laterally and longitudinally until leaving the crossties in the correct position: centered and perpendicular to he center line, aligned and separated from one another by a uniform distance.

Abstract: In a method of loading several like coupled storage cars with bulk material, a first storage car is first filled with the bulk material by reducing the conveying speed mode of a bottom conveyor band in the first storage car to a bulk material storing speed mode while a transfer conveyor band of the adjacent storage car fills the first storage car, the storing speed mode of the bottom conveyor band in the first storage car is automatically adjusted in response to a measured amount of the bulk material accumulating in a pile so that the first storage car is filled to a maximal height, and after the accumulated pile has reached a forward end position, the conveying speed mode of the bottom conveyor band in the storage car adjacent to, and rearwardly of, the first storage car in the conveying direction is automatically reduced to the storing speed mode.

Abstract: A stripping apparatus is associated with a track maintenance machine having a machine frame mobile on a track comprised of rails fastened to ties. The stripping apparatus is designed for stripping off ballast lying on the ties and includes a supporting beam, which is mounted for vertical adjustment on the machine frame, and a plurality of elastic sweeping elements, which are disposed in a substantially vertical position. The sweeping elements are fastened at their upper ends to the supporting beam and are arranged adjacent to one another in a sweeping plane extending perpendicularly to the direction of longitudinal extension of the track. Two support rollers fastened to the supporting beam are provided for riding on the rails of the track.

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: A system for adjusting the separation distance between adjacent rails over which vehicles travel, the apparatus including a vehicle moveable along the rails and including a boom or pivoted art member mounted on the frame, the boom or arm extending in cantilevered fashion from a pivot mount to and terminating adjacent one end of the vehicle. A rail gripper is mounted on, and oriented normal to, the boom or arm and includes telescoping members extending laterally of and between the rails. Each end of the rail gripper is provided with one or more lug members adapted to engage a respective rail for the applying of a moving force to the rail in a direction substantially normal to the length of the rail and selectively toward or away from its companion rail.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement and method for measuring and correcting the line of a track. The method comprises forming an optical reference beam between an emitter on an emitter bogie and a position-sensitive receiver on a measuring and correcting car, moving the measuring and correcting car for a measurement interval in sequences of a desired length towards the emitter bogie, monitoring the movement of the hitting point of the optical beam by the position-sensitive receiver, measuring lateral inclination of the track, positioning the position-sensitive receiver in relation to the track between the sequences of moving, and measuring the instantaneous values of the position of the hitting point of the optical beam and the inclination of the track, and using the measurement data for the shifting operations directed to the track.

Abstract: A track surfacing machine for correcting the track geometry includes a machine frame supported by undercarriages for mobility in an operating direction and including lining drives for correcting the track in a direction transversely to the track and measuring carriages rolling on the track and provided with measuring instruments. The measuring carriages form with the machine frame as well as with measuring instruments a reference system for detecting the actual track geometry, with the machine frame defining a reference base. Associated with the forward and rear measuring carriages of the reference system in operating is a measuring unit for detecting a cant or lateral inclination of the track, with a pressure pickup being provided for determining the lining forces of the lining drives.

Abstract: A continuously advancing track working machine for compacting ballast comprises a self-propelled machine frame supported by undercarriages on the track for mobility in an operating direction and a track stabilization assembly vertically adjustably mounted on the machine frame between the undercarriages. The track stabilization assembly comprises drives for vertically adjusting the assembly, oscillatory rolling tools arranged for engaging the rails, vibrators for oscillating the rolling tools, and spreading drives for pressing the rolling tools against the gage sides of the rails.

Abstract: A machine for laterally displacing a track comprises at least one vertically adjustable tamping head having reciprocable vibratory tools for tamping ballast under the ties; a compact operating unit comprising a common carrier frame, a vertically and laterally adjustable device for lifting and laterally displacing the track mounted on the common carrier frame and including rail engaging roller tools, and a vertically and longitudinally adjustable device for orienting obliquely positioned ties to assume an orientation extending substantially perpendicularly to the track in the common plane, the tie orienting device being mounted on the common carrier frame and including a tie engaging tool; and power-actuated drives linking the carrier frame of the operating unit to the machine frame for vertically and laterally adjusting the carrier frame.

Abstract: System for the continuous reciprocal self-alignment of rails on sleepers, which comprises pre-installed bolts or like locking means in cooperation with a machine which lays, positions and secures the elements that clamp the rails, the rails being first anchored and positioned relative to each other and then positioned relative to the sleepers.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously surveying and aligning railroad track has a measuring system with a leading point and a trailing point, both points being on the track center line. Two tensioned wires extend between these points, respectively, and a common intermediate point also on the track center line. At the trailing point a shadow board is located and this is arranged to interrupt an infrared beam extending between a projector at the leading point and a receiver behind the trailing point. A device measures continuously the angle between the two wires and this value is averaged and then subjected to mathematical manipulation in a computing device to derive an ordinate value for the shadow board which is automatically extended accordingly. The receiver then commands a track correction ram located adjacent the shadow board to move the track radially inwardly or outwardly until alignment between projector, receiver and shadow board causes the receiver to stop the lining action.

Abstract: A track leveling, lining and tamping machine comprises a track lifting assembly, a leveling reference system associated with the track lifting assembly, the reference system including a reference line associated with each track rail, each reference line having a forward end and a rear end, a forward track sensing element supporting the forward end of the reference lines in an uncorrected track section, a rear track sensing element supporting the rear end of the reference lines in a corrected track section, and a level sensor associated with each track rail and supported on a corrected track section rearwardly of the track lifting assembly for measuring the level of each track rail with respect to the associated reference line, the level sensor generating a control signal responsive to the measured level, an element for measuring the cross level mounted on the rear track sensing element, the cross level measuring element generating a correction signal indicating any residual error in the desired cross level, a

Abstract: The machine is intended for the displacement of open track sections and switch gear. For this purpose, it is provided, for each line of rails, with a shifting roller (17), a hook (11) for the lifting of the switch gears and roller (12) for the lifting of the open sections, these tools being mounted on a tool holder (9, 10) moved by lifting (22) and shifting (23) jacks connected to the chassis (3) of the machine. The lifting hook (11) and the lifting roller (12) are mounted movable in rotation in a plane parallel to the track around a shaft (29) and are moved around said shaft by a jack (32) having two end-of-stroke positions corresponding to the operating position of one and the other of these two tools respectively. Other mountings permitting similar effects are described.

Abstract: A guidance system permits of guiding the railroad track positioning device of a track renewal and maintenance machine as the machine moves in the track working direction. To this end the curvature of a track section to be worked upon comprised in a chord of predetermined length is measured and as a function of this curvature the direction of a second chord is measured, one end of this second chord being coincident with the rear end of the section whereas its predetermined and constant length is so selected that its other end lies on the already renewed or maintained track section and shows the position of a point of this section before the renewal or maintenance works.

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 mobile track alignment machine comprises a track alignment tool positioned in a track section to be aligned, a drive operating the tool for alignment of this track section, a control for the drive and a reference system for operating the drive control in response to an operating signal emitted by the reference system.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing operations on a railway track, comprising an automatically actuated rail adjusting mechanism with parts to engage opposite edges of a flange of a flanged rail for adjusting the relative positions of a rail and a sleeper vertically and for adjusting the position of a rail by moving it sideways relative to a sleeper.

Abstract: An improved technique for correcting errors in track, for example errors in alignment and cross-level. A record of the actual geometric condition of a section of track is obtained by running a recording car operating at a predetermined speed and axle loading over the track. A record which may be on magnetic tape is thus obtained for one or more parameters such as alignment. In some cases this record may be used directly to derive electrical error signals which control a track moving device which moves the track in a direction to remove the error. Where the parameter of interest is alignment and the section of track is curved, a desired geometric condition has to be obtained for comparison with the actual geometric condition to derive the electrical error signals. One way of obtaining the desired geometric condition is to process the record to achieve a running average taken over ten or so consecutive sample points.

Abstract: An electromechanical device for sensing the center line of a track is disclosed. The track center line is previously marked out by a line of nails protruding upwardly from the ties and the center line follower is moved by engagement with the rails to right or left to derive an appropriate electrical signal causing operation of a ram carrying the center line follower in a direction to cancel the signal. A track operating device, such as a magnetic wheel for picking up tie plates from track that is being renewed, is disposed over each rail location and the top track operating devices are moved laterally conjointly with the center line follower thus to maintain the track operating devices at the correct lateral locations.

Abstract: Railway track tamping machine comprising a leveling device regulated by two reference lines (D.sub.1, D.sub.2) each determined by the alignment of an emitter (9, 90), a mask (10, 100) and a receiver (11, 110) which are sensitive to the variations of illumination caused by the vertical displacements of the masks.The masks (10, 100) are held at constant height from the lines of rails by a frame (2), while the emitters (9, 90) and the receivers (11, 110) borne by the two other frames (1, 3) are mounted in vertically adjustable fashion on them.Controls (15, 16-14, 140) make it possible to maintain, under all conformations of the track, the two references lines (D.sub.1, D.sub.2) parallel to each other and to thus form a plane (P) to which the desired transverse inclination (.alpha.) is imparted above the tamped region on which the frame (2) bearing the masks is supported.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous replacement of track rails comprises a forward and a trailing track renewal vehicle, which may have a common frame. The rails are unfastened and removed from a first track section on which an undercarriage supports the forward vehicle for continuous mobility and the replaced rails are laid in a second track section on which an undercarriage supports the trailing vehicle. A monitoring device is associated with the trailing track renewal vehicle to sense markings on the ties as the trailing vehicle moves along the second track section and to be guided by the markings, the markings indicating the position of the first track section and the monitoring device being arranged to position the rails of the second track section in alignment with the first track section.

Abstract: A mobile leveling, lining and ballast packing machine for the non-stop correction of a track comprises a pair of elongated vibratory ballast compacting plates extending along the tie ends at each side of the track and arranged cooperatively to compact the ballast therebetween, a fine correction track lifting and lining unit between the plates, a coarse correction track lifting and lining unit forwardly of the fine correction unit, a first ballast plow and shaping unit associated therewith for moving ballast inwardly from the tie ends during operation of the coarse correction unit, a second ballast plow and shaping unit rearwardly of the fine correction unit, and ballast tampers compacting ballast against the tie ends rearwardly of the second ballast plow and shaping unit.

Abstract: The invention provides for a stop device positioned on a railroad track shifting machine such as a track lifting and/or tamping machine and a sensor for generating a control signal to terminate or control the shifting action of the machine when the shifting force on the rail exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for correcting the surface of a railroad track by exerting pressure on the shoulders of the track from both sides thereof by means of vibrating compactors mounted on a vehicle chassis and provided with pressure applying jacks. The ballast is compacted beneath the track which raises it to a desired first track level which may be above the final desired track level, whereafter the track is tamped down to the desired level by means of a force applicator which imparts pulsating force to depress the raised track.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for dynamically stabilizing a ballast bed supporting a track at a desired level comprises a reference for determining a deviation of the track grade from the desired level, and at least two track stabilization units spaced from each other in the direction of track elongation. Each unit includes a chassis running on the track rails on flanged wheels, vibrators for imparting at least approximately horizontal vibrations to the track engaged by the flanged wheels, a mechanism for laterally pressing the flanged wheels into play-free engagement with their associated rails, and loads associated with each rail and supplemental to the weight of the apparatus for imparting a pressure to the rails in the direction of the ballast bed whereby the vibrating track is pressed to a lower level.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for dynamically stabilizing a ballast bed supporting a track at a desired level comprises a reference for determining a deviation of the track grade from the desired level, a chassis running on the track rails on flanged wheels, vibrators for imparting at least approximately horizontal vibrations to the track engaged by the flanged wheels, a mechanism for laterally pressing the flanged wheels into play-free engagement with their associated rails, the flanged wheels and the vibrators being arranged on the chassis to vibrate in unison to transmit the vibration to the track, the loads associated with each rail and supplemental to the weight of the apparatus for imparting a pressure to the rails in the direction of the ballast bed whereby the vibrating track is pressed to a lower level.

Abstract: A reference system for a track leveling and/or lining tamper comprises a reference wire or cord whose end and measuring points are held on bogies connected to the machine and laterally pressed against a selected track rail. A clamping mechanism is associated with the reference wire or cord and is fixedly connected to one or more of the bogies for selectively reducing and increasing the effective measuring length of the reference wire or cord between the end points thereof.

Abstract: A method and a system for correcting the misalignment of a railroad track is provided which corrects the track by the steps of applying a force laterally of the track to move it in the direction of its correct position, sensing the track position relative to a datum, automatically reducing the force in response to the sensing step, permitting the track to react to the reduction of the force and automatically rapidly repeating the force application, sensing, and reduction steps to set up a vibratory cycle of force application until the desired track condition has been achieved. The system provides a valve which has a rail position feeler in the hydraulic connection between pump and jack, which feeler upon sensing the rail operates to close the valve to terminate a jacking action. Pressure sensitive switch is provided in the hydraulic connections between the valve and the pump that operates to exhaust the jack when a pre-determined pressure has been built up in the connections between the pump and the valve.