Abstract: The subject invention is an improved apparatus structured and adapted to support rail wheels on an over-the-road vehicle that is adapted accordingly to ride over railroad rails as well as over the ground on roadways, such apparatus being adapted to support as well as raise or lower the railroad wheels as needed for such purpose, and with a basic structure comprising one or more vertically disposed support members affixed to the main frame of the vehicle, there being affixed to each such vertically disposed support members affixed to the main frame of the vehicle, a reciprocally movable lifting arm, each such support member having a rail wheel affixed to the lower end of each such lifting arm, with the lowest movable extent of such lifting arm adapted to position the affixed rail wheel to the rail level, with the extreme upper vertical movement of such lifting arm being positioned away from the rail in the retracted position so that the vehicle can travel over the road or ground without impediment from the rai

Abstract: An apparatus grips tie plates and guides new ties during replacement of worn out ties in the road bed of a railroad track. Mechanical grip elements grip tie plates and secure them against the rail, while an old tie is removed and a new tie is inserted. A spring arrangement automatically self-centers opposing pairs of grip elements. That is, when beginning to grip a tie plate, each pair of mechanical grip elements will automatically center about the tie plate prior to securely gripping the tie plate and without moving the tie plate. The grip elements are supported by an apparatus frame. A frame lifter moves the apparatus frame vertically between an upper and a lower position relative to a vehicle frame of a tie replacer vehicle. A tie guide includes rollers on the underside thereof for minimizing friction between ties being inserted and the tie guide. Sweepers are mounted to the apparatus frame to clean off a tie as it is being inserted.

Abstract: Track laying apparatus and associated methods are provided for installing rails on blocks. In a preferred embodiment, a track laying apparatus has an installation portion for installing the blocks to the rails at predetermined lateral and longitudinal spacings, relative to the lengths of the rails, and a positioning portion for propelling and steering the apparatus and lifting and laterally spacing the rails.

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 tie exchanger assembly is mounted upon a truck and is used for removal and insertion of ties in a railroad roadbed. A boom is mounted to a rail clamp table which is vertically movable between an upper stored position and a lowered operable position. The boom is mounted to the center of the rail clamp support table and is rotatable 180.degree. about a vertical axis so that the boom may be used for manipulating ties on both sides of the vehicle. Rail clamps and rail engagement wheels are mounted to the underside of the rail clamp table. The boom is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis. A tie clamp is mounted at a distal end of the boom. A self-aligning tie clamp may advantageously be used so as to clamp concrete ties or other ties with irregular or concave surfaces.

Abstract: A tie replacement vehicle uses a tie feed arm to turn ties upon the main frame of the vehicle upside down such that they may be gripped by a tie inserter having a boom mounted below the main frame of the vehicle. The tie inserter has a tie clamp which may be shifted in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle in order to shift old ties out of the way. A tie pickup is mounted at each end of the vehicle for moving ties from the main frame of the vehicle to the rails. A conveyor system on the vehicle allows ties to be moved under the operator cab and engine.

Abstract: A machine for exchanging old ties of a railroad track for new ties comprises a machine frame supported by undercarriages for mobility along the track, a longitudinally, vertically and transversely displaceable tie exchange device connected to the machine frame for laterally pulling the old ties out of the track and laterally inserting the new ties in the track at a tie exchange position, and a ballast scarifying device for clearing ballast at the tie exchange position. According to the invention, a mobile tie transporting crane is mounted on the machine for movement along the track towards and away from the tie exchange device, and a device is arranged below the machine frame for depositing the old ties pulled out of the track by the tie exchange device and the new ties transported by the crane, the tie exchange device having a side facing the tie depositing device and the tie transporting crane comprising a vertically adjustable boom and tie gripper affixed to the boom.

Abstract: A machine for exchanging old ties of a railroad track for new ties comprises a machine frame supported by undercarriages for mobility along the track, a longitudinally, vertically and transversely displaceable tie exchange device connected to the machine frame for laterally pulling the old ties out of the track and laterally inserting the new ties in the track at a tie exchange position, and a ballast scarifying device for clearing ballast at the tie exchange position. According to the invention, the machine has a carrier frame for the ballast scarifying device, the carrier frame having opposite ends longitudinally spaced from each other, an undercarriage supports one of the carrier frame ends on the track adjacent the ballast scarifying device, and a pivot links the opposite carrier frame end to the machine frame.

Abstract: The subject invention is an improved apparatus adapted to facilitate the installation of railroad ties, either by automatic or semi-automatic members. The apparatus incorporating the features of the subject invention comprises, in general, a pair of laterally disposed stabilizing and leveling arms flexibly mounted to each side of a vehicle that is capable of riding on railroad tracks, and wherein each said stabilizing and leveling arm is in turn comprised of two flexible subarms flexibly mounted together in the manner of a parallelogram structure. Mounted at the end of the parallelgram-like subarms are flat brace members. Integrally affixed to the end of such flat brace members are self-levelling jacks. A flexible movable boom member is integrally mounted to a portion of such vehicle, with such boom member having a rotatable holding device rotatably and integrally affixed to the end of the boom arm, such holding device adapted to hold a portion of a tie member.

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: A machine for picking up and storing tie plates of a railroad track comprises the combination of a machine frame, two vertically adjustable tie plate pick-up devices transversely spaced from each other on the machine frame, the tie plate pick-up devices being vertically adjustable between a lower pick-up position wherein their transverse spacing corresponds to the track gage and an upper tie plate depositing position, a storage device arranged on the machine frame for receiving the tie plates from the pick-up devices in their upper tie plate depositing position, a transversely displaceable device mounted on the machine frame for transversely displacing a track tie within a range of about 30 cm to about 100 cm, and a vertically adjustable rail lifting device mounted on the machine frame adjacent the track tie displacing device.

Abstract: A vehicle for replacing selective ties in a road bed uses a conveyor system whereby ties may be picked up from on top of the rails. If the ties are to be used by the particular vehicle, they may be held by that vehicle. On the other hand, the conveyor system allows ties to pass over top of the vehicle such that the ties will be again disposed on top of the rails such that a following tie replacement vehicle may use the ties. By use of a tie replacement or inserter head having two tie clamps, one can more quickly remove an old tie from underneath the rails and replace the old tie with a new tie which has been picked up from on top of the vehicle. Electromagnets are used to hold the tie plates against the rails during the selective replacement of particular ties such that replacement of the tie plates is not usually necessary.

Abstract: A railroad tie replacing device (10) including a support frame (11) on rollers (22) for movement over a series of parallel railroad tracks (28) supported by railroad ties (29). A main piston or cylinder (15) is positioned such that the stroke of the piston rod is horizontally toward and away from the rails. A gripping mechanism (23) is arranged on the main cylinder rod and is capable of gripping a railroad support to be replaced. The main cylinder and an attached spacer (24) for securing the invention to the rail during operation are lowered over the rail by a lift cylinder (18). Upon operation, the grippers are closed over a tie to be removed and the main cylinder is activated. The outward stroke of the main cylinder piston rod with appended gripper mechanisms pulls the tie from beneath the rails.

Abstract: The train comprises transport vehicles (16) for the new (T1) and old (T2) ties, followed by a storage vehicle (12) for the ties, a railroad car (1) as a dismantling car, articulated to the storage vehicle (12), and a laying unit (17) constructed in a manner such as to be mobile between a working state and a state of rest when running light. When working, this mobile unit (17) bears at one end on the car (1), for example via a wheel gear (22), and at the other end on a running support (24) which moves on the new track (R2). In the state of rest, the mobile unit (17) is moved and loaded onto the car (1), the running support (24) being retracted. The running support can also be formed by a railroad vehicle (26) or by a bissel truck (28), coupled to the car when running light.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for sequentially exchanging selected consecutive groups of oil ties in an existing railroad track for groups of new ties while retaining groups of old ties therebetween to support the mobile apparatus on the track, comprises at least one bridge-like work vehicle having a frame defining an upwardly recessed portion between respective ends thereof, and a succession of different individual devices mounted in the recessed frame portion of a respective work vehicle and operative to effectuate different sequential operations for exchanging the selected old ties for the new ties, the tie exchanging devices including at least two tie pulling and inserting devices arranged for longitudinal displacement within view of an operator's accommodation. A respective drive displaces each tie pulling and inserting device with respect to the work vehicle frame along a displacement path extending in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the work vehicle frame.

Abstract: A machine for exchanging old ties for new ties, which comprises a self-propelled standard railroad vehicle comprising a machine frame, undercarriages supporting the machine frame for mobility on the railroad track, a drive for advancing the vehicle in an operating direction, and an operator's cab. A tie exchanging device is connected to the machine frame and arranged within sight of the operator's cab, the tie exchanging device being operable for withdrawing the old ties and inserting the new ties and comprising a longitudinally adjustable tie gripping means including a tie clamp, a drive for longitudinally adjusting the tie gripping means, and respective drives for vertically adjusting and for operating the tie clamp between tie engaging and tie releasing positions.

Abstract: A tie remover/inserter machine uses the vehicle and bucket of a conventional backhoe with various modifications. Grader blades are added to the loader bucket such that the machine may be used for grading ballast along a railroad track. Rail engagement wheels which may be raised and lowered are mounted to the chassis of the vehicle. A three section telescopic boom is equipped with a tie clamping device that also has the ability to tilt a tie in relation to the boom. The boom may be pivoted about horizontal and vertical axes. The boom is mounted to the vehicle by way of a side shift carriage which allows the proximal end (i.e., end closest to the vehicle) of the boom to be moved towards the center line of the vehicle so as to allow the vehicle to meet road clearance limitations.

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, the invention provides a vertically adjustable device associated with the ballast tamping assembly for gripping and transversely positioning a respective one of the ties, and a drive for vertically adjusting the device. A vertically adjustable ballast broom device preferably precedes the tamping tool assembly for sweeping ballast off respective ones of the ties into an adjacent crib defined between successive ones of the ties.

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 installation for loading, transporting and unloading track parts such as ties on, in and from open top railroad cars including a train mounted for mobility along a railroad track and having a plurality of open top railroad cars. Adjacent ones of the railroad cars are coupled together and each one of the railroad cars has two parallel side walls with top edges extending in the direction of the railroad track, and two end walls, the end wals of the adjacent railroad cars defining respective gaps therebetween. A power-driven crane is provided for loading and unloading the track parts and has an undercarriage supporting the crane for mobility in the direction of the railroad track. There is also a track supporting the undercarriage of the crane for mobility above the top edges of the railroad cars in said direction. The track includes two parallel guide rails mounted on the top edges of the railroad cars and is spaced apart a distance corresponding to the gage of the crane undercarriage.

Abstract: Rail anchors used to secure rails to ties are spread by pushing on the tie plates immediately adjacent to the anchors. A pair of hydraulic cylinders are disposed upon a common rod and are used to push a tie plate in opposite directions, thereby spreading each of two anchors associated with one side of a particular tie.

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: 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 apparatus for sequentially exchanging selected consecutive groups of old ties for groups of new ties while retaining a groups of old ties between the selected old ties for support of the mobile apparatus on the railroad track, which apparatus comprises an elongated bridge-like work vehicle having two undercarriages supporting respective opposite ends of the work vehicle on the railroad track, and a succession of different individual devices mounted on the work vehicle between the undercarriages and operative to effectuate different sequential operations for exchanging the selected old ties for the new ties.

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 mobile apparatus for sequentially exchanging selected consecutive groups of old ties in an existing railroad track for groups of new ties while retaining groups of old ties therebetween to support the mobile apparatus on the track, comprises at least one bridge-like work vehicle having a frame defining an upwardly recessed portion between respective ends thereof, swivel trucks supporting the work vehicle frame ends on the railroad track, and a drive for the continuous advancement of the work vehicle on the railroad track in an operating direction. A succession of different individual devices are longitudinally displaceably mounted in the recessed frame portion of a respective work vehicle and are operative to effectuate different sequential operations for exchanging the selected old ties for the new ties, the tie exchanging devices including at least one tie pulling and inserting device.

Abstract: A mobile machine for continuously renewing a track by replacing the rails and ties of the existing track by new rails and ties has an elongated, two-part, bridge-like machine frame supported on the track by a front and a rear undercarriage. The facing ends of the machine frame parts are pivotally coupled together at lower ends thereof, and hydraulic pivoting and blocking drives interconnect these facing ends and are effective to spread the facing machine frame part ends apart at upper ends thereof in a horizontal direction whereby the lower ends of the facing machine frame part ends are raised in a vertical direction, and the raised facing machine frame part ends are blocked in their raised position. An intermediate undercarriage supports the facing machine frame part ends on the track and is raised off the track with the lower ends of the facing machine frame part ends.

Abstract: A mechanical tie gang comprises a train of open top railroad cars, a power-driven crane for loading and unloading ties and having an undercarriage arranged for mobility in the direction of the railroad track, and a track supporting the undercarriage of the crane for mobility above the top edges of the side walls of the railroad cars in this direction, the track comprising two parallel guide rails mounted on the top edges of the railroad cars and being spaced apart a distance corresponding to the gage of the crane undercarriage, the guide rails extending beyond the end walls of the railroad cars into the gaps between adjacent cars.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for sequentially exchanging selected consecutive groups of old ties in an existing railroad track for groups of new ties while retaining groups of old ties therebetween to support the mobile apparatus on the track, which comprises a continuously advancing bridge-like work vehicle having a machine frame defining an upwardly recessed portion between respective ends thereof and a respective swivel truck supporting each machine frame end. A continuous guide track is mounted atop the work vehicle and a power-driven tie transporting crane is mounted for mobility on the guide track.

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

Abstract: In a track maintenance vehicle, a cross tie exchanging mechanism is mounted on the vehicle comprising jaws which grip the end of the cross tie to be removed and operate to pull the cross tie from the road bed laterally from beneath the track rail and also operate to push a new cross tie laterally beneath the rails into the road bed. Rail clamps are provided to grip each rail at two spaced positions along each track rail to prevent the track rail from flexing when the track rail is unfastened from the cross tie to be removed. The rail clamps are also used to lift the track rails clear of the cross ties prior to operation of the tie exchanging mechanism to remove and replace a cross tie. A beam member supports the rail clamp so that the rails are laterally stabilized when lifted. The beam member is continuously laterally positioned independent of the lateral moveent of the vehicle by a guide member relative to the rails when the rail clamp is not engaged with the rails.

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: Railroad right-of-way maintenance equipment and method for removing old ties from beneath railroad rails and replacing them with new ties, characterized by a compound clamping head. The compound clamping head simultaneously grips a new tie and an old tie while withdrawing the old tie from beneath the rails, releases or discards the old tie at the end of the withdrawal stroke, and inserts the new tie in place of the old on the consecutive reciprocal return stroke. The invention also includes a kick-out feature for moving the old tie beyond the end of the withdrawal stroke for release or discard of the old tie.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing defective railroad ties from the right-of-way in one piece and without disturbing the elevation, cross-level and line, of a track system. The method is carried out by first removing the tie plates from an individual tie to be replaced; forming a trench underneath the tie by the use of laterally directed scarifiers while retaining the tie in its normal position and restraining the tie against movement longitudinally of the track system so as to displace ballast material from underneath the tie to the next adjacent crib; applying a downward force to the top of the tie to be removed; and withdrawing the tie from one or the other end.

Abstract: A compact bidirectionally operative tie exchanging apparatus includes an extensible telescoping beam assembly carried in a support cradle mounted on the underside of a railway maintenance car. The beam assembly includes an inner and an outer beam telescopically received within one another with hydraulically actuated tie clamping arms mounted on the opposite, remote ends of the beam assembly. A push/pull hydraulic cylinder has its ram and its cylinder connected, respectively, to the inner and outer beams. Hydraulically actuated locking pins mounted on the support cradle are selectively actuatable to lock either the inner beam or the outer beam to its respective support cradle.

Abstract: A compact bidirectionally operative tie exchanging apparatus includes an extensible telescoping beam assembly carried in a support cradle mounted on the underside of a railway maintenance car. In a first embodiment, the beam assembly includes an inner and an outer beam telescopically received within one another with hydraulically actuated tie clamping arms mounted on the opposite, remote ends of the beams assembly. A push/pull hydraulic cylinder has its ram and its cylinder connected, respectively, to the inner and outer beams. Hydraulically actuated locking pins mounted on the support cradle are selectively actuatable to lock either the inner beam or the outer beam to its respective support cradle.

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: 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: This is an apparatus for removing ties from under railroad track and is specifically concerned with removing ties in one piece and involves removing the high wood from the ties in the area between the rails of the track and on one end thereof so that the tie may be pulled or pushed out the other way.

Abstract: Railroad bed scarifying apparatus employing a digging or scooping action along the direction of the rails is provided. A movable frame mounted on a vehicle which travels along the rails has three digging plates pivotally mounted thereon. A first digging plate extends between the rails, while the other two digging plates each extend outwardly from an associated one of the rails to the end of the ties. Each of the digging plates has a digging ridge located on the end thereof, the digging ridge being located at an obtuse angle with respect to the front surface of the digging plate. By appropriate control of suitable driving arrangements, the digging ridges and digging plates form a trench of the appropriate dimensions to receive a tie and place the removed ballast on an adjacent tie for return after insertion of the new tie.

Abstract: Railroad sleepers are replaced by removal of old sleepers over a track length corresponding to the length of a sleeper while ballast is removed to a depth corresponding to the height of new sleepers and is placed beside the track whereafter one or more new sleepers are lowered between the rails and rotated into correct transverse position followed by packing the ballast under the sleeper(s), and the space between adjacent new sleepers is packed with ballast.

Abstract: This is a method and apparatus for removing ties from under railroad track and is specifically concerned with removing ties in one piece and involves removing the high wood from the ties in the area between the rails of the track and on one end thereof so that the tie may be pulled or pushed out the other way.

Abstract: A tie replacing system is adapted to replace worn ties in a railroad track of the type including longitudinally extending metal rails supported on wooden cross ties by metal tie plates and a gravel ballast roadbed supporting and at least partially enclosing the ties. The system includes a tie biter-tie plate holder assembly comprising a pair of opposed jaws each including a plurality of teeth positioned at spaced intervals across the entire width of a worn tie. Upon closure of the jaws, the teeth function to remove any portion of the worn tie which projects above the under surfaces of the tie plates. The jaws also include tie plate gripping members which engage the tie plates corresponding to the worn tie and thereby retain the tie plates in engagement with the under surfaces of the rails.

Abstract: This is a method of and apparatus for forming a trench in the ballast under railroad track, commonly referred to as scarifying, and for grasping new ties, one at a time, positioned on top of the rails, drawing each tie in turn out to one side, positioning it opposite the trench and inserting it, all in a series of coordinated movements in sequence with a minimum, if any, disturbance of the ballast.

Abstract: Method for undercutting a railroad tie resting in a ballast bed and supporting track rails consisting of moving a probe through the ballast beneath the tie while continuously vibrating the probe so that forces are transmitted from the probe to the ballast to agitate the ballast adjacent to the bottom and side faces of the tie to remove ballast from beneath the tie to form a trench substantially coincident with the bottom of the tie and to loosen ballast immediately adjacent the side faces of the tie and apparatus for carrying out the method.