A rail lifting head (10) comprises a head gate member (20) defining a gate aperture (22), a rail support member (24) removably secured to the gate member (20) and adapted to support a rail vertically within the gate aperture (22), and a head cartridge (100) which is removably secured to the head gate member (20). The head cartridge (100) includes two opposed vertical rollers (128) which support a rail laterally within the gate aperture and a fixing (112) which secures the head cartridge (100) to the head gate member (20). The rail support member (24) is removable from the head gate member (20).

A track loading tool including a pump, a body including a main portion extending along a first axis, a first contact portion supported by the body and configured to engage a first rail, and a second contact portion supported by the body and configured to engage a second rail spaced apart from the first rail. The first contact portion and the second contact portion are positioned on a second axis offset from the first axis.

A track loading tool including a pump, a body including a main portion extending along a first axis, a first contact portion supported by the body and configured to engage a first rail, and a second contact portion supported by the body and configured to engage a second rail spaced apart from the first rail. The first contact portion and the second contact portion are positioned on a second axis offset from the first axis.

A method for calibrating a device for measuring tracks having a track-driveable track-measuring car with a lifting and lining device and track-position measurement sensors measuring the height, direction and superelevation of the rails of the track using the machine frame as a reference zero line. A lifting and lowering device is associated with the track-measuring car. A calibration device is associated with the machine frame the track-measuring car, for calibrating the sensors, is first lowered from a parking position, in which the track-measuring car is lifted from the track, onto the track or into an intermediate position. Calibration stops are moved by an actuator from an idle position into a calibration position, against which the track-measuring car is subsequently raised and applied. The values of the track-position measurement sensors are read out and stored in the measurement system as calibration values, and the track-measuring car is lowered onto the track.

A method for calibrating a device for measuring tracks having a track-driveable track-measuring car with a lifting and lining device and track-position measurement sensors measuring the height, direction and superelevation of the rails of the track using the machine frame as a reference zero line. A lifting and lowering device is associated with the track-measuring car. A calibration device is associated with the machine frame the track-measuring car, for calibrating the sensors, is first lowered from a parking position, in which the track-measuring car is lifted from the track, onto the track or into an intermediate position. Calibration stops are moved by an actuator from an idle position into a calibration position, against which the track-measuring car is subsequently raised and applied. The values of the track-position measurement sensors are read out and stored in the measurement system as calibration values, and the track-measuring car is lowered onto the track.

For correction of a track position in connection with ballast cleaning, after cleaned ballast has been returned to a track, the actual position of the latter is measured while determining actual position data. Parallel to that, fixed point correction values are determined by a sighting trolley following behind. The actual position data and the fixed point correction values are transmitted to the tamping machine, following behind, and are used for determining correction values for a desired track position to be created by tamping.

For correction of a track position in connection with ballast cleaning, after cleaned ballast has been returned to a track, the actual position of the latter is measured while determining actual position data. Parallel to that, fixed point correction values are determined by a sighting trolley following behind. The actual position data and the fixed point correction values are transmitted to the tamping machine, following behind, and are used for determining correction values for a desired track position to be created by tamping.

A method for determining the longitudinal forces in track rails includes shifting a rail section of at least one of the track rails from an initial arrangement into a test arrangement by providing a test force, recording at least one force measurement value correlating with the test force in the test arrangement, and determining the longitudinal forces in the at least one track rail on the basis of the at least one force measurement value. At least one sleeper is attached to the rail section when the at least one force measurement value is recorded. A device for carrying out the method is also provided.

A method for determining the longitudinal forces in track rails includes shifting a rail section of at least one of the track rails from an initial arrangement into a test arrangement by providing a test force, recording at least one force measurement value correlating with the test force in the test arrangement, and determining the longitudinal forces in the at least one track rail on the basis of the at least one force measurement value. At least one sleeper is attached to the rail section when the at least one force measurement value is recorded. A device for carrying out the method is also provided.