Abstract: A plate retainer apparatus is provided for use on a railroad track with a tie exchanger having a main frame, the apparatus configured for gripping and retaining rail tie plates to a rail during a rail tie exchange process. The plate retainer apparatus includes a plate retainer workhead constructed and arranged for movement independent of that of the main frame. Included on the workhead is a pair of workhead modules, each module associated with a rail of the track and configured for retaining a single tie plate associated with a target tie at a time. Each workhead module is movable relative to the main frame independently of each other.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-readable media to facilitate installation and adjustment of railway components are disclosed. Aligning of a railway anchor manipulator and a railway fastener installer with respect to a railway tie may be caused. The railway anchor manipulator may be slidably coupled with a frame assembly of a railway workhead, and may include anchor tools. The railway fastener installer may be slidably coupled with the main shaft structure, may include a hammer assembly, and may be operable to install railway fasteners through holes of a railway tie plate. The railway fastener installer may be caused to install the railway fasteners. The railway anchor manipulator may be lowered to a deployed position, and railway anchors may be adjusted with the anchor tools.

Abstract: A railway track trolley includes a pair of carriages and a workhead mounted to at least one of the pair of carriages. The carriage is adapted to locate on one of a pair of railway track whereas the other carriage locates on the other railway track. The carriages are interconnected via a coupling assembly to permit independent sliding of the carriages relative to one another. In operation, at least one of the carriages is moved along the corresponding railway track wherein its associated workhead is adapted to implement work at that railway track.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory, machine-readable media for railway fastener removal are disclosed. A railway fastener extractor may be aligned with a railway fastener installed in a railway tie. The railway fastener extractor may be coupled with a frame assembly and a cylinder and slide assembly of a railway workhead so that the railway fastener extractor is suspended from the cylinder and slide assembly. The railway fastener extractor may be operated to extend opposing claws of the railway fastener extractor toward a railway fastener, and may be operated to selectively apply force to a linkage system to grip the railway fastener, the force being directed along a longitudinal axis. The force may be bifurcated and corresponding forces may be applied to move linkages and move the opposing claws to grip the railway fastener, and the railway fastener extractor may be operated to extract the railway fastener.

Abstract: A multi-functional railway fastening component adjustment system is disclosed. The system may include a railway component adjuster. The railway component adjuster may include adjustment tools pivotally coupled with a tool bracket. The railway component adjuster may be configured to selectively engage railway fastening components from different addressing positions of the adjustment tools at least in part by pivoting to a selected addressing position. The railway component adjuster may be adapted to hold the one or more adjustment tools in the selected addressing position to make a component adjustment to the railway fastening component with the adjustment tools. The component adjustment may include movement of the railway fastening component with respect to a rail of a railway.

Abstract: A multi-functional railway fastening component adjustment system is disclosed. The system may include a railway component adjuster. The railway component adjuster may include adjustment tools pivotally coupled with a tool bracket. The railway component adjuster may be configured to selectively engage railway fastening components from different addressing positions of the adjustment tools at least in part by pivoting to a selected addressing position. The railway component adjuster may be adapted to hold the one or more adjustment tools in the selected addressing position to make a component adjustment to the railway fastening component with the adjustment tools. The component adjustment may include movement of the railway fastening component with respect to a rail of a railway.

Abstract: In an aspect, a track maintenance vehicle includes a body, a work head, and a controller. The work head performs track maintenance and is coupled to the body. The controller is configured to operate the vehicle in an autonomous mode. In another aspect, an anchor adjustor includes first and second jaws and an actuator. The jaws pivot about a single axis. The actuator causes the jaws to rotate about the axis. In another aspect, an anchor adjustor assembly includes a first pair of jaws, a second pair of jaws and an actuator. The first and second pairs of jaws open and close about a rail in a track. The actuator causes the closed first pair of jaws to translate towards the closed second pair of jaws along a longitudinal direction of the rail.

Abstract: A magazine type screwing device and a screw supplementary device are provided. The screwing device includes a screwdriver bit with a protrusion part, a storing portion, and a screw stopping portion. The storing portion includes a tubular structure and a slide rail, which are connected with each other. The screwdriver bit is installed in the tubular structure. The screws are disposed within the slide rail. After the screwdriver bit is moved within the tubular structure in a first direction and then the screwdriver bit is moved within the tubular structure in a second direction, one of the screws is detached from the screw stopping portion and introduced into the tubular structure. The screw supplementary device includes a screw transferring portion and a screw feeding portion. The screw transferring portion includes a first conveying track, a sensing element over the first conveying track, a gear, and a first motor.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including an apparatus that is a rail anchor comprising a head, a tail, and a belly section. The belly section comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, and two side surfaces. Each side surface comprises a contact-bearing surface area. The head comprises a bend along a length of the head. The tail comprises a notch. Each contact-bearing surface area has a surface area of at least 3 square inches and is adapted to extend at least 1.5 inches downward from the top of a railroad track crosstie along a side of the railroad track crosstie.

Abstract: An applicator for the removal and attachment of a contact clip to a railway rail comprises an applicator body forming a clip seat to receive the contact clip, a thrust jaw suitable for engaging the clip housed in the clip seat, a contrast jaw suitable for engaging the foot of the rail, a thrust device for moving the thrust jaw towards the contrast jaw so as to push the contact clip housed in the clip seat in a thrust direction towards the contrast side, in which the clip seat is suitable for supporting the contact clip transversally to the thrust direction in an area between the thrust jaw and the contrast jaw.

Abstract: The present invention embraces a manually operated arrangement (“A”) and a method, adaptable for a transfer along a longitudinal extension of a rail (1) and intended to be able to secure said rail to a subjacent crosstie (2) by a horizontal transfer of clips (3: 3a), included in fastening elements (4), and displaceably oriented in relation to a holder (5) included in the fastening element (4), where the holder (5, 5a) co-operates firmly with said crosstie (2). The respective one of said clips (3; 3a) is adapted to, by a movement, allow displacing the clips (3: 3a) horizontally for a clamping of the rail base (1c) in relation to the holder (5). An opposed first pair (6a, 6b) of a first lever-shaped means (6) is adapted to, via its lower end areas (6aa, 6ab) co-operate with the clips. For this purpose, the invention provides a means (20, 21, 23) lifting the crosstie (2) with holders (5) and clips (3) up to the rail base, which means is adapted adjustable in height (“D”).

Abstract: A rail fastener orienter is provided for orienting rail fasteners to a desired orientation, the fasteners having a head, an opposite tip and a shank connecting the head to the tip, and being sequentially provided to the orienter in one of a head right, head left, head up and head down orientation. The orienter includes a frame having an upper end and an opposite lower end, and defining a track with an inlet adjacent the upper end, and an outlet adjacent the lower end, the track dimensioned for slidingly and rotatingly accommodating the shank. At least one stage holder is provided for accommodating the fastener in the track as the head is at least partially engaged by at least one bumper for repositioning to a desired one of the orientations, such that the fastener reaches the outlet in the desired orientation after axial rotation.

Abstract: The present invention embraces a manually operated arrangement (“A”) and a method, adaptable for a transfer along a longitudinal extension of a rail (1) and intended to be able to secure said rail to a subjacent crosstie (2) by a horizontal transfer of clips (3: 3a), included in fastening elements (4), and displaceably oriented in relation to a holder (5) included in the fastening element (4), where the holder (5, 5a) co-operates firmly with said crosstie (2). The respective one of said clips (3; 3a) is adapted to, by a movement, allow displacing the clips (3: 3a) horizontally for a clamping of the rail base (1c) in relation to the holder (5). An opposed first pair (6a, 6b) of a first lever-shaped means (6) is adapted to, via its lower end areas (6aa, 6ab) co-operate with the clips. For this purpose, the invention provides a means (20, 21, 23) lifting the crosstie (2) with holders (5) and clips (3) up to the rail base, which means is adapted adjustable in height (“D”).

Abstract: A preferred embodiment is directed to a finger for use in a rail plate inserter machine workhead and for positioning a rail plate predisposed on a rail tie under a rail, having a planar body having an upper arm with a hook-shaped end and including an opening for accommodating a spring, the end being configured for being contacted by a bar operatively associated with a finger lift assembly; a lower arm having a depending tip; and a middle portion joining the upper and lower arms to define an obtuse angle.

Abstract: A rail maintenance anchor spreader/squeezer work head includes a work head frame, a pair of sliding brackets laterally reciprocating on the frame, each bracket having an anchor engaging end, and a pair of opposed fluid power cylinders secured to the frame, each cylinder connected to a respective one of the sliding brackets for laterally reciprocating the sliding brackets for any one of anchor squeezing, when both cylinders are extended, and anchor spreading when at least one of the cylinders is retracted.

Abstract: A rail-tie connecting clip engagement/disengagement apparatus for slidably attaching opposite bottom portions of a rail to a tie thereunder with clips each having an outer portion having opposite lateral openings; wherein a first rail side of said apparatus, used to engage/disengage one bottom side of the rail to the tie with one clip, comprises: a) a pair of similar opposite lateral arms, each having an inner hooked end portion to engage one of the lateral openings, a central pivot portion, and an outer end portion carrying one of a cam and a cam follower; b) the other of the cam and the cam follower, being an actuating arm, motivated by the outer end portion thereof to cause appropriate engagement/disengagement of the hooked end portions in the opposite lateral openings of the clip; c) bias means to maintain the cam in contact with the cam follower; and, d) lateral arm longitudinal movement means to jointly move the arms to and away from the rail, to thereby push/pull the clip when engaged by the hooked end

Abstract: An anchor spreader apparatus and method for moving rail anchors, the anchor spreader apparatus has a mounting member, a rail clamp assembly and an anchor-engaging assembly. With the rail clamp assembly properly clamped to the rail, the anchor spreader apparatus is maintained in a proper and controlled position relative to the anchor as the anchor-engaging assembly is rotatably moved relative to the rail clamp assembly. The anchor spreader apparatus may be paired with a spike-pulling apparatus, whereby the anchor spreader apparatus and the spike-pulling apparatus simultaneously move the rail anchor and pull respective spikes.

Abstract: A workhead assembly for use with a rail maintenance machine having a workhead assembly for use with a rail maintenance machine having a rail lifter and configured for movement relative to a railroad track having a pair of rails, the workhead assembly constructed and arranged for positioning a tie plate predisposed on a rail tie, including a workhead body connected to the machine; a centering apparatus on the body constructed and arranged for centering the workhead over the rail tie; a squaring apparatus on the body constructed and arranged for squaring the tie plate on the rail tie; and a pusher assembly on the body for positioning the tie plate under a selected one of the rails being lifted by the rail lifter, and including at least one plate engaging finger constructed and arranged for engaging the tie plate.

Abstract: A machine for automatically orienting railroad tie plates includes a sensing region having at least one optical sensor adapted to sense a physical feature of a tie plate. An electronic controller is connected to the optical sensor and is disposed to receive a sensor signal indicative of the physical feature of the tie plate when the tie plate is in the sensing region. The electronic controller further determines an orientation of the tie plate based on the sensor signal, compares it to one or more predetermined or possible orientations, and provides a command to at least one actuator adapted to perform at least one tie plate orientation operation to change the orientation of the tie plate based on the comparison of the orientation of the plate with the predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A rail maintenance anchor spreader/squeezer work head includes a work head frame, a pair of sliding brackets laterally reciprocating on the frame, each bracket having an anchor engaging end, and a pair of opposed fluid power cylinders secured to the frame, each cylinder connected to a respective one of the sliding brackets for laterally reciprocating the sliding brackets for any one of anchor squeezing, when both cylinders are extended, and anchor spreading when at least one of the cylinders is retracted.

Abstract: The invention describes a device for the assembly and disassembly of a fastening device, more preferably of a rail fastening device on a support body, wherein the device is designed as screw adapter and the screw adapter is to be placed on the rail fastening device. The invention is based on developing a device for the assembly and disassembly of a rail fastening device which sits on the fastening device with an accurate fit and largely guarantees automated screwing in and screwing out of the fastening device in existing engagement stages. According to the invention this is achieved in that the screw adapter comprising an engagement pin at its stem, in the contact surface of its main body possesses a centrally arranged recess to accommodate the head of a fastening element, wherein the main body on both sides next to this recess comprises two mounting pockets designed trough-shaped as well as a stop.

Abstract: A railway anchor applicator for applying an anchor to a rail includes a frame configured for movement along a track, an anchor input for sequentially delivering an anchor to a workhead assembly, where the workhead assembly is movably mounted on the frame for movement toward and away from the rail. An anchor receiving arm is configured for movement between a first position receiving an anchor from an anchor input and a second position placing the anchor away from the anchor input. A main pivot arm is configured for movement between a first position generally away from the rail and a second position generally adjacent the rail. A bar clamp arm is operatively linked to the main pivot arm and is configured for movement underneath the rail, then upwards and towards the rail. An operator station is located on the gage side of the rail which the anchor is being applied.

Abstract: A magazine for a railway anchor applicator having an anchor receiving mechanism for applying an anchor to a rail includes a chute structure. Configured for storing anchors in a sequential arrangement, the chute delivers the anchors to the anchor receiving mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the disassembly of a rail anchor, connecting a rail to a sleeper of a track, comprising two opposing tool levers, connected by a rod, operated with displacement about a pivot axis by means of a press drive. A first tool lever is connected to the press drive, coupled to the tool frame. A further tool lever is defined at an upper end by the pivot axis.

Abstract: A track mounted machine is capable of inserting a previously positioned tie plate between a rail and underlying cross tie of a railway. The machine preferably is also capable of lifting the rail from the tie prior to tie plate insertion and/or, is capable of operating on both rails of a railway simultaneously. The preferred embodiment includes two tie plate inserter assemblies mounted on a common workhead. Each tie plate inserter assembly includes a pusher that can be moved, under control of an operator stationed on the machine, vertically and longitudinally on the rails so as to be aligned with a field end of the tie plate. The pusher can then be actuated to push the tie plate laterally under the rail.

Abstract: A railway anchor applicator for applying an anchor to a rail includes a frame configured for movement in a specified direction of travel along a track, and a workhead assembly movably mounted on the frame for movement toward and away from the rail. Also provided is an anchor receiving mechanism configured for movement between a first position receiving an anchor from an anchor input and a second position placing the anchor away from the anchor input. An anchor positioning mechanism moves between a retracted and extended position for positioning the anchor adjacent to the rail at either the field or gage side of the rail. An anchor clipping mechanism engages the anchor onto the rail by applying pressure on the anchor from the side of the rail and compresses the anchor between components of the anchor clipping mechanism so that compressive forces act on the anchor transversely across the rail.

Abstract: A device (1) for the application and/or for the removal of elements for the connection of a rail to a railway track sleeper, comprising at least one lever (2, 3) mounted on a frame (4) in a rotatable manner around an axis of rotation (5, 6), and equipped with at least one pressure organ (7, 8) adapted to engaging the connecting element, and at least one cylinder-piston group (9) adapted to driving the lever (2, 3) in order to assemble or disassemble the connecting element. The cylinder-piston group (9) comprises a cylinder body (10) and a sliding piston (11) housed within the cylinder body (10) and moveable with respect to the cylinder body (10) under the action of pressurised fluid.

Abstract: A railway vehicle for inserting plates on rail ties that engage with rails includes a frame configured for movement relative to the track and a plate inserter workhead mounted to the frame. The plate inserter workhead is configured for pivoting the tie plate about a leading edge of the plate so that the trailing edge of the tie plate is lifted off the tie. The plate inserter workhead is configured to subsequently release the plate.

Abstract: A rail fastener driver apparatus for driving fasteners into ties of a railroad track includes a fastener driving mechanism with a reciprocating element for engaging a fastener and driving it into a tie, a fastener magazine configured for accommodating a plurality of rail fasteners and feeding them sequentially for driving by the element, a fastener feeder mechanism including a fastener holder configured for movement between a first position sequentially receiving one fastener from the magazine and a second position placing the fastener in a driving position for engagement by the driving element and the fastener feeder mechanism configured for lowering and axially rotating the fastener from the first position to the second position. An obstacle accommodation device, and a method of driving rail fasteners are also provided.

Abstract: A railway anchor spreader has a rotating plate on each side of each rail, with the bottom of each rotating plate having a pair of jaws. The tie plates are lowered until the jaws strike the ballast, and the tie plates are then pivoted first in one direction, and then in the opposite direction, by a hydraulic cylinder located near the top of the anchor spreader plates. The jaws will thereby strike the tie plates, first pushing them in one direction and then in the opposite direction, to move the rail anchors away from the tie. The shape of the jaws ensures that pivoting the anchor spreader plate will not cause the jaws to strike the tie as well as the tie plate. A rail clamp capable of grabbing rails of various sizes is also provided.

Abstract: A railroad clip applicator system for efficiently securing a fastening clip to a receiver bracket of a crosstie. The railroad clip applicator system includes a housing, a handle structure attached to the housing, an actuator secured within the housing, an engaging structure attached to the actuator for engaging a fastening clip, and a pair of lower arms extending from the housing to engage a lower side of a rail. The engaging structure is comprised of a pair of guide pins slidably positioned within the housing, and an engaging member having a center member and a rear member for engaging the rear portion of the fastening clip. The actuator forces the engaging structure forwardly thereby causing the fastening clip to slide within the tapered slot of the receiver bracket until the fastening clip is fully secured upon the receiver bracket.