Abstract: A ballast plow (1) comprises a machine frame (6) supported on on-track undercarriages (2), with which is associated a center plow (5) which is vertically adjustable by means of drives and on each longitudinal side of the machine a vertically adjustable shoulder plow (8) having a plow blade (20) which may be brought into contact with ballast. The shoulder plow is provided with an articulation point (13) and a telescopically extendable carrier frame (12) extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the machine. The articulation point (13) is situated in each case--viewed in the transverse direction of the machine--on the longitudinal side of the machine which is further away from the associated plow blade (20) of the shoulder plow (8). The plow blade (20) is mounted for pivoting about an axis (21) extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine and is connected to a shoulder angle adjustment drive (15).

Abstract: A ballast broom machine for sweeping ballast off a track comprises an elongated machine frame supported on the track by undercarriages, and at least three ballast brooms vertically adjustably mounted on the machine frame, the ballast brooms being spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction and including a leading ballast broom, each ballast broom comprising a rotary shaft extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction and flexible sweeping elements projecting radially from the rotary shaft. A conveyor band is mounted on the machine frame and extends in the longitudinal direction, the conveyor band having an input end arranged to receive ballast swept off the track by the leading ballast broom and a discharge end positioned higher than the input end, and a ballast storage bin having discharge openings is arranged on the machine frame below the conveyor band discharge end for receiving discharged ballast therefrom.

Abstract: An installation for the continuous rehabilitation of a ballast bed comprises an elongated machine frame supported on the track by undercarriages for movement in an operating direction, and mounted on the machine frame are a vertically adjustable ballast excavating device for excavating dirty ballast, a screening device for cleaning the excavated dirty ballast, a storage bin for holding bulk material and arranged rearwardly of the screening device in the operating direction and close to the rear end of the machine frame means, a conveyor device for conveying ballast to the storage bin, the storage bin comprising an input opening for delivering bulk material to the bin independently of the conveyor device, and a discharge device arranged to receive the bulk material from the storage bin and to discharge the received bulk material to the subgrade.

Abstract: A mobile machine arrangement for receiving, storing and distributing track ballast comprises a first machine frame, a second machine frame succeeding the first machine frame in the operating direction, a ballast storage device mounted on the first machine frame, the ballast storage device comprising a ballast conveyor band arranged at a bottom of the ballast storage device and extending longitudinally in the direction of the track, the ballast conveyor band having a forward end and the ballast storage device having an outlet below the ballast conveyor band forward end, a ballast plow arrangement vertically adjustably mounted on the first machine frame behind the ballast storage device outlet, a ballast receiving device mounted on the second machine frame and arranged to receive the track ballast, and a ballast transport device projecting from the second machine frame end towards the first machine frame, the ballast transport device having an input end preceding the ballast receiving device in the operating di

Abstract: A conveyor chain arrangement for a track maintenance machine is mounted on the machine frame for receiving and conveying ballast and comprises two separate and independently operable ballast receiving and conveying units at opposite sides of the machine frame extending alongside the track. Each unit comprises a vertically and transversely adjustable chain track extending longitudinally in an oblique plane with respect to the track plane adjacent a respective machine frame side, each chain track consisting of two track sections. Drives are connected to the chain track for vertically and transversely adjusting the chain track, and an endless ballast excavating and conveying chain is guided in the chain track, and comprises a chain drive for the chain.

Abstract: A mobile track working machine arrangement comprises two consecutively arranged, independent track working vehicles, each track working vehicle comprising an elongated two-part machine frame, the two parts of the machine frame being linked by a pivot for pivoting of one part in relation to the other part about a horizontal axis extending perpendicularly to the track, and undercarriages supporting the machine frame on the track. A ballast excavating device is vertically adjustably mounted on the machine frame of a first track working vehicle for excavating the ballast supporting the track whereby the subgrade is exposed, and a conveyor arrangement is mounted on the machine frame of the first track working vehicle for removing the excavated ballast. A device for planing and compacting a protective layer of sand on the subgrade is mounted on the machine frame of the second track working vehicles.

Abstract: A mobile ballast cleaning machine comprises a machine frame, undercarriages supporting the machine frame for mobility on the track, an excavating chain mounted on the machine frame and arranged to excavate the ballast to expose the subgrade, a ballast screening installation arranged to receive the excavated ballast from the excavating chain and to clean the received ballast, a conveyor arrangement for conveying the cleaned ballast for distribution on the exposed subgrade, a power-actuated, vertically and transversely adjustable track lifting device mounted on the machine frame, and a vibrator connected to the track lifting device, the vibrator being arranged to generate horizontal oscillations extending transversely to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for excavating ballast from adjacent to the ends of and beneath the cross ties of a railroad bed and for cleaning the excavated ballast for return thereof to the railroad bed. The apparatus includes a vehicle for supporting a pair of excavating assemblies on opposite sides of the vehicle. Each excavating assembly includes a pair of spaced excavating wheels for excavating ballast from adjacent to the opposite sides of the cross ties and an undercutter for excavating ballast from beneath the cross ties at opposite ends thereof. A discrete cleaning station is provided for each excavating wheel to receive and clean the ballast picked up by each excavating wheel. Means are provided for conveying and discharging the cleaned ballast back onto the railroad bed.

Abstract: A mobile ballast cleaning machine comprises a machine frame, undercarriages supporting the machine frame for mobility on the track, an excavating chain mounted on the machine frame and arranged to excavate the ballast to expose the subgrade, a ballast screening installation arranged to receive the excavated ballast from the excavating chain and to clean the received ballast, a ballast conveyor unit extending in the longitudinal direction and having an input end receiving the cleaned ballast from the ballast screening installation and a discharge end, a chute arranged at the excavating chain for receiving the cleaned ballast from the discharge end of the ballast conveyor unit, the chute having at least one outlet opening, a conveyor band associated with each outlet opening for receiving the cleaned ballast from the outlet opening and having a discharge end for discharging the cleaned ballast on the exposed subgrade, a variable speed drive for operating each conveyor band to impart thereto a desired conveying s

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

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

Abstract: A mobile ballast receiving and distributing machine comprises a machine frame supported on a railroad track by undercarriages for mobility in an operating direction, a ballast conveying device arranged on the machine frame to receive ballast and to convey the received ballast to a discharge end of the device, and a power-driven ballast storage silo arranged on the machine frame to receive the conveyed ballast from the discharge end of the ballast conveying device. The silo has a ballast discharge opening and a ballast conveyor band extending in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the machine frame and forming a bottom support for the ballast received from the ballast conveying device discharge end, the ballast conveyor band having an end discharging the ballast into the ballast discharge opening.

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

Abstract: In combination with a mobile ballast cleaning machine advancing continuously in an operating direction along a railroad track, which comprises a ballast excavating chain including a transverse course extending under the track and driven to excavate a transversely extending portion of the ballast bed during the continuous advancement of the machine: a device connected to the machine for continuous advancement therewith and arranged to receive ballast deposited on the ballast bed and the track ties ahead of the transverse ballast excavating chain course and to discharge the received ballast in the transversely extending excavated ballast bed portion, the device comprising a ballast receiving and discharging element extending in the direction of the track, and a vertical adjustment drive arranged to lower the element onto the upper surfaces of the ties between the rails whereby the ballast deposited on the ballast bed and the track ties is separated from the underlying ballast bed and is received on the element

Abstract: A mobile ballast regulator comprises a machine frame supported by two undercarriages for mobility on the track in an operating direction, a ballast plow carrier frame arranged below the machine frame between the undercarriages and extending in the longitudinal direction, the carrier frame having one end linked to the machine frame and an opposite end supported by an undercarriage for mobility on the track, and a ballast plow vertically adjustably mounted on the carrier frame.

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

Abstract: An articulated ballast cleaning system utilizes a pair of ballast cleaners each dedicated to cleaning only a portion of the ballast bed of a railroad track, such that one cleans the peripheral ballast while the other cleans the center ballast. Spoil or waste ballast is conveyed forwardly along the apparatus for disposal, while cleaned ballast is conveyed rearwardly for replacement aft of an undercutter device. Fresh ballast may be conveyed forwardly along the apparatus to supplement the cleaned ballast.

Abstract: Machine to clean and rehabilitate railway ballast and railway road beds, which can: (1) remove the ballast, clean the ballast and then replace the ballast, or (2) remove the old ballast and replace it with new ballast. The machine, while riding on the railroad tracks, can remove the metalling of the ballast from the railroad track, then run the material through a riddle to clean the metalling, and finally replace the material. Alternatively, the machine may remove the metalling, then by reversing the direction of a distrubution conveyor, the machine can replace the old metalling with entirely new metalling brought to the distribution conveyor by various feed conveyors. In this alternative mode of operation, the machine can lay a two layered ballast consisting of two different materials.

Abstract: A ballast cleaning machine comprises a machine frame comprising two frame parts, one of the ends of one machine frame part adjoining one of the ends of the other machine frame part while the machine frame part ends opposite to the one ends are remote from each other, and the adjoining machine frame part ends being pivotally linked to each other for pivoting about a vertical axis. Respective undercarriages support the machine frame on the track, two of the undercarriages being arranged at the remote machine part ends and a third one of the undercarriages being arranged on one of the machine frame parts in the range of the vertical pivoting axis.

Abstract: A ballast cleaning machine comprises a chain for excavating the ballast and for conveying the excavated ballast to a discharge end, a screening installation arranged to receive the excavated ballast from the discharge end of the excavating and conveying chain, and to clean the received ballast by separating waste therefrom. The screening installation comprises a supporting frame and two sets of vibratory screens extending obliquely with respect to the track in the direction of elongation of the machine, the sets of screens being arranged sequentally in said direction and having a common inlet area receiving the ballast from the chain at a respective upper end of each set of screens, the two sets of screens having facing sides adjacent each other and the obliquely extending screens descending from the respective upper end whereby the screens of the two sets enclose an angle.

Abstract: There is described a railroad track maintenance machine having a horizontal track undercutter and a vertical rotary trench digging wheel at one side of the track. The bucket wheel is constructed such that there is lateral access into the wheel from the inner side of the bucket wheel and the buckets themselves are open on their inner sides. The undercutter is located with its delivery end adjacent to and spaced inwardly of the trenching wheel near its bottom center so that ballast removed by the undercutter is projected into the buckets through their open sides.

Abstract: A machine for cleaning ballast along the shoulders of a railroad track, which comprises a machine frame, an endless ballast excavating and conveying chain vertically adjustably mounted at each machine frame side, a ballast screening installation arranged to receive the excavated ballast conveyed by the endless chains, and a ballast loosening and excavating device preceding each endless ballast excavating and conveying chain in the operating direction of the machine and vertically adjustably mounted on the machine frame. Each device includes a ballast loosening and excavating tool arranged to project below a respective tie end in a vertically adjusted operating position and a ballast guide plate arranged adjacent the tool for receiving the loosened and excavated ballast therefrom and guiding it transversely outwardly from the tie end whereby a ballast heap spaced from the tie end in longitudinal alignment with each chain is produced for excavation and conveyance by the chain.

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: An apparatus for removing ballast utilizes eccentrically mounted disk-like undercutters to remove ballast from a position adjacent the track shoulder inwardly to a position underneath the ends of the crossties. The undercutters project inwardly from their mounting position on the lower ends of vertically disposed columns which overhang each side of a supporting carriage. The vertically disposed columns attach to horizontal sliders mounted transversely relative to the carriage. Linear actuators act to position the undercutters for ballast removal.

Abstract: Machine (10-110) to restore railway road beds with a continuous endless-conveyor riddle, the machine (10-110) comprising a frame (11) on trolleys (12-13), an excavator chain means (19), riddle means (25-125-47) with at least one continuous endless-conveyor riddle (25-126), discharge means (30), means (36-38) to distribute restoration material, and alignment grippers (39-40), in which machine (10-110) the continuous endless-conveyor riddle (25-126) sorts the material with its upper segment alone.

Abstract: A ballast cleaning machine for excavating ballast supporting a track and for cleaning the excavated ballast, comprises a ballast screening installation mounted on the machine frame and arranged to receive the excavated ballast from the discharge end of a ballast excavating and conveying chain, and to clean the received ballast by separating waste therefrom, the screening installation comprising two screening units each of which comprises a set of a plurality of superposed screens extending obliquely with respect to the track in the direction of elongation of the machine, the sets of screens being arranged sequentially in, and symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane extending transversely to, this direction, and the obliquely extending screens ascending from a centrally located common outlet of the two sets of screens to two separate inlets for the excavated ballast, and independent vibrators for each set of screens for conveying the cleaned ballast on the screens in respective conveying directions from

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

Abstract: A track leveling and ballast tamping machine comprises a standard vehicle capable of being coupled to a train, two undercarriages supporting the frame for movement in an operating direction along a track and a drive for moving the frame along the track. A ballast tamping unit is connected to the frame between the undercarriages and a track lifting unit is connected to the frame between the undercarriages ahead of the ballast tamping unit in the operating direction, a track leveling reference system controlling the lifting of the track by the track lifting unit. A ballast receiving and storage container is mounted on the frame ahead of the ballast tamping and track lifting units in a forward portion thereof, the container having adjustable outlet ports for distributing ballast in respective ones of the cribs, and a ballast conveyor is arranged on the frame for conveying ballast to the ballast receiving and storage container in the forward portion of the frame, in the operating direction.

Abstract: Self-propelled machine (10) to dress and re-distribute railway road bed ballast, which is suitable for the operations of flattening and forming such road beds and comprises a wheeled (12-13) frame (11), a motor (14) and a cab (15) with windows, and also includes a forming unit (17), a unit (18) to transfer ballast and a brush unit (19) with rotary brush, the forming unit (17) having at least one rotary adjustable forming drum (23-24).

Abstract: Ballast dressing unit (17) on machines (10) which dress and re-distribute railway road bed ballast, such unit (17) comprising at least one rotary dressing drum (23-24).

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

Abstract: A railway ballast renewal machine for renewing a railway road bed within a tunnel is disclosed. The device has a scarifier to loosing the metalling, a work unit to grip and retain the alignment of the rails as well as remove the metalling from between the sleepers, a riddle to sort the metalling, and a device to spread the sorted metalling back on the railway bed. The metalling is removed from between the sleepers by a movable case which moves vertically between the sleepers.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing ballast utilizes a ditcher wheel to remove ballast from along the side of a railroad track. An undercutter is pivotally mounted to the frame of the ditcher wheel rearwardly thereof and is also pivotal about a vertical axis such that the undercutter may be placed beneath the track while supported by the ditcher wheel. A portion of the undercutter is aligned parallel to the track proximal and rearwardly of the ditcher wheel and serves to urge the ballast removed by the undercutter into the path of the ditcher wheel for removal.

Abstract: In a ballast cleaning machine which comprises a machine frame, a ballast excavating and conveying chain mounted on the machine frame, the chain having a discharge end for the excavated and conveyed ballast, ballast screening apparatus arranged to receive the ballast from the discharge end of the chain and to separate a waste component from the clean ballast, a conveyor band system mounted below the screening apparatus for receiving the clean ballast component and redistributing it to the track, and an endless conveyor band mounted below the screening apparatus for receiving and conveying the waste component: a sifting conveyor band mounted between the discharge end of the chain and the screening apparatus, the sifting conveyor band having an upper stringer receiving the excavated and conveyed ballast from the discharge end and defining openings permitting a portion of the waste component to pass through the sifting conveyor band, and a drive connected to the sifting conveyor band for driving the band whereby

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

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

Abstract: A conveyor arrangement for bulk material is mounted on a track for mobility therealong in an operating direction and comprises a longitudinally extending track-bound vehicle and a conveyor arranged on the vehicle for receiving the bulk material. The conveyor has a bulk material storage and conveyor band and a controllable drive for the conveyor band whereby conveyance of the bulk material on the conveyor band may be selectively shut off or controlled for temporary storage of the bulk material thereon.

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

Abstract: In a self-propelled ballast cleaning machine which comprises a ballast excavating chain having an output, a hydraulic drive for moving the ballast excavating chain, a ballast screening and storing device arranged to receive the excavated ballast from the output for separating the excavated ballast into waste and cleaned ballast and for storing the cleaned ballast, and a hydraulic vibrating drive for imparting vibrations to the ballast screening and storing device, a control arrangement operates the hydraulic drives, the control arrangement including a control element having an input and an output, the input of the control element being connected to the chain moving drive and the output of the control element being connected to the vibrating drive for changing the frequency of the vibrations imparted to the ballast screening and storing device analogously to a respective setting of the control element for storing the ballast in the device.

Abstract: In a mobile ballast cleaning machine comprising a frame, an arrangement for excavating the ballast and for conveying the excavated ballast, a first vibratory and vertically adjustable ballast screening installation mounted on the frame and having an inlet to receive the conveyed ballast from an output of the ballast excavating and conveying arrangement and to separate the ballast into a cleaned ballast component and a waste component, and conveyors for redistributing the cleaned ballast component and for removing the waste component: a further ballast screening installation mounted on the frame, separate drives for vibrating and for vertically adjusting the further ballast screening installation, and a remote-controllable conveyor arranged selectively to receive the ballast from the ballast excavating and conveying arrangement output and to deliver it to an inlet of the further ballast screening installation.

Abstract: A mobile ballast cleaning machine comprising an endless ballast conveying chain movable in a conveying direction, the chain having arranged sequentially in the conveying direction a transverse chain section for excavating the ballast, an upwardly extending elongated chain section for conveying the excavated ballast, the upwardly extending elongated chain section being supported in a guide of channel-shaped cross section and having a bottom defining a plurality of ports for pre-screening the conveyed ballast to separate waste therefrom falling through the ports in the bottom, and a descending elongated chain section leading to the transverse chain section. A vibratory screen is arranged to receive the pre-screened ballast from the upwardly extending elongated chain section to separate residual waste therefrom, a cleaned ballast component remaining on the screening means and the residual waste falling therethrough. A conveyor conveys the waste away.

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

Abstract: A mobile arrangement for continuously laying a sand layer between a subgrade and ballast of a track bed in a construction section of the track comprises a work vehicle supported on undercarriages mounting the vehicle for mobility on the track in an operating direction. The work vehicle comprises a ballast excavating chain including a chain part receiving the excavated ballast. A ballast conveyor conveys ballast to the track section in the operating direction has an output end discharging the conveyed ballast in the track section. A device for planing the sand layer leads the output end in the operating direction, and a sand conveyor conveys sand to the track section in the operating direction. The sand conveyor has an output end discharging the conveyed sand in the track section and laying the sand layer, the output end being positioned between the excavating chain part and the planing device, and the ballast and sand conveyors in their entirety trailing the chain part in the operating direction.

Abstract: A mobile ballast cleaning machine comprising a frame mounted on two undercarriages for mobility along a track supported on the ballast resting on a subgrade, a ballast excavating means mounted on the frame between the track to expose the subgrade, a ballast screening means arranged on the frame to receive the removed ballast from the ballast excavating means and to discharge cleaned ballast and waste, conveyor band means for carrying away the waste and for redistributing the cleaned ballast, the ballast redistributing conveyor band means having a discharge end and a zone being defined between the ballast excavating means and the discharge end for laying a succession of rigid foam plates on the exposed subgrade, and apparatus for handling the rigid foam plates, the apparatus including a plate receiving and transfer station, an elongated plate conveying path extending from the station to the zone and a plate turning and laying mechanism receiving successive ones of the rigid foam plates from the conveying path

Abstract: A mobile ballast cleaning machine mounted on a track for movement in an operating direction incorporates apparatus for continuously measuring parameters indicating the track position and any changes therein with respect to a reference system caused by ballast excavation, and for recording the measured parameters. This apparatus comprises hydrostatic level measuring devices mounted in the region of the front and rear undercarriages at the laterally extending sides of the machine frame, two further hydrostatic level measuring devices transversely spaced apart and mounted in the laterally outermost regions of the endless ballast excavating chain, an additional hydrostatic level measuring device mounted in the region of a track sensing element arranged on the frame forwardly of the front undercarriage, and a conduit connected to the hydrostatic level measuring devices for delivering a liquid thereto.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for cleaning ballast supporting a track comprises a train arranged for non-stop movement on the track. The train includes a ballast cleaning machine with a track lifting mechanism, a series of freight cars arranged to receive and transport the waste component from the cleaned ballast, and a ballast tamping machine arranged between the ballast cleaning machine and the series of freight cars, the tamping machine comprising an additional track lifting mechanism and a tamping head capable of intermittent movement along the track. The waste component is conveyed from the ballast cleaning machine to respective freight cars by a first conveyor section arranged to convey the waste component along the series of freight cars and a second conveyor section arranged on the tamping machine.

Abstract: The ballast regulator machine is provided with a ballast plow arrangement, a rotary transverse brush on the rearward end and a ballast transport device with two conveyor belts, the rearward end of the rearward conveyor belt being arranged in the region of the transverse brush and the forward end of the forward conveyor belt being arranged in front of the ballast plow arrangement. The transverse brush is surrounded by a ballast guide housing which is so arranged that the ballast thrown up by the transverse brush is directed into the rearward conveyor belt. The forward conveyor belt can pivot towards both sides about a vertical axis and is extendable towards the front by an adjustable conveyor belt section which in its operating position extends up to a ballast transport wagon arranged in front of the machine and which becomes inoperative in its rest position.

Abstract: A mobile arrangement for improving a track bed by interposing a layer of sand between the subgrade and ballast comprises a first self-propelled vehicle including a frame, a hoist mounted on the frame for lifting an assembled track section off the track whereby a trackless renewal section is created and a conveyor and discharge and distributing chute for ballast and sand, the vehicle frame having a length bridging the trackless renewal section and respective track sections adjoining the trackless renewal section at respective ends thereof in the regions of the vehicle frame ends. A second self-propelled vehicle includes a frame whose one end faces one end of the frame of the first vehicle in one of the adjoining track sections, a ballast excavating chain and a conveyor for the excavated ballast. A respective triple-undercarriage arrangement supports the one end of each vehicle frame, each triple-undercarriage arrangement consisting of two on-track undercarriages and an off-track undercarriage.

Abstract: A ballast leveling apparatus mounted on a mobile ballast cleaning machine comprises a pair of endless ballast leveling chains, a vertical pivot in each ballast bed shoulder and supporting a respective chain for pivoting in a plane underneath the track, a rotary drive for driving each ballast leveling chain and a power drive linking each chain to the machine frame for vertically adjusting the chain. In the automatic ballast leveling method using this apparatus, ballast is removed from a surface layer of uneven ballast distribution to a predetermined, controlled depth and simultaneously conveyed to two paths from the center of the ballast bed towards the shoulders while filling any depressions in the ballast bed in the paths of the conveyed ballast with the conveyed ballast to level the ballast bed.

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.