Abstract: A tubular receptacle receives a flammable composition providing a heat source for the purpose of heating and expanding railroad rail segments defining a fracture at their ends. The receptacle is of a pliable nature and may include a fuse. The flammable composition includes alcohol and a petroleum product along with fragments of synthetic plastic fibers. A method is disclosed for utilizing the heat source.

Abstract: A hydraulically powered rail pre-heater for heating rail ends before they are welded together, which includes a blower driven by a hydraulic motor for producing a substantially constant flow of air, a source for propane gas or other combustible media to be regulated and mixed and then delivered to a torch for the application of a flame to the rail ends.

Abstract: Ice melting apparatus having an elongated vertically disposed body member with a melting head at the lower end which is heated by a flame to melt the ice. The heat is concentrated near or within the melting head and exhaust gases are expelled through an exhaust passage. The generated heat melts a hole in the ice conforming generally to the configuration of the melting head which in most cases is circular.

Abstract: The invention is a portable ground thawing device using a shallow rectangularly shaped box-like apparatus (or thaw body) that is open-ended on the side that would normally form the floor of the thaw body. This open-ended box is constructed with a high degree of insulating value and is designed to trap heat against the surface of frozen ground while also including a reflective inner surface. The heating requirements are supplied by the use of an externally mounted radiant propane heater that is commonly available in the marketplace today. This attachment is built into one of the short vertical walls on the end of the thaw body by placing the burner element of the radiant heater in the most outward opening of a vented heat transfer tube. The vented heat transfer tube is a cylindrical opening that passes from the outside of the thaw body so as to leave an air gap to allow for the free flow of air from inside the thaw body to the outside by the burner.

Abstract: A portable ground thawing panel system for thawing an area of frozen ground to allow digging in the wintertime. The inventive device includes an upper member, a plurality of outer member secured to the upper member, a layer of insulation adjacent the upper member, a divider member adjacent the insulation opposite the upper member, and an electrical heating element secured to the divider member opposite of the insulation. The heating element may be temperature self-regulating or a thermostat may be electrically connected to the heating element.