A dual ballast cribber for on-rail operation for preventing and removing cemented ballast with minimal site preparation can include a central frame, a plurality of wheels, a first pivot arm, a second pivot arm, a first cribber bucket, a second cribber bucket, a first clamp, a second clamp, and a hydraulic system. The dual ballast cribber may perform a digging cycle in 2 minutes or less. Preferably the digging cycle is performed in 45 seconds or less.

A dual ballast cribber for on-rail operation for preventing and removing cemented ballast with minimal site preparation can include a central frame, a plurality of wheels, a first pivot arm, a second pivot arm, a first cribber bucket, a second cribber bucket, a first clamp, a second clamp, and a hydraulic system. The dual ballast cribber may perform a digging cycle in 2 minutes or less. Preferably the digging cycle is performed in 45 seconds or less.

A machine for repairing a ballast bed has an undercutter that defines a direction of movement of the repairing machine, and a distributor for dividing a flow of ballast entering from the undercutter into a rear flow of exiting ballast and a separate front flow of exiting ballast. At least one rear screening machine is positioned behind the undercutter in the direction of movement and is fed by the rear flow of exiting ballst. At least one front screening machine is positioned in front of the undercutter and fed by the front flow of exiting ballast, and the distributor has a variator for varying the ratio between the separate first and the second flows of exiting ballast.

A machine for repairing a ballast bed has an undercutter that defines a direction of movement of the repairing machine, and a distributor for dividing a flow of ballast entering from the undercutter into a rear flow of exiting ballast and a separate front flow of exiting ballast. At least one rear screening machine is positioned behind the undercutter in the direction of movement and is fed by the rear flow of exiting ballst. At least one front screening machine is positioned in front of the undercutter and fed by the front flow of exiting ballast, and the distributor has a variator for varying the ratio between the separate first and the second flows of exiting ballast.

In a method for renewing a track (2) and cleaning a ballast bed (3), the old track (2) is lifted off the ballast bed in sections as a track panel (15), transported forward in a working direction (4) and deposited on track panel wagons (8). The exposed ballast bed (3), forming a renewal gap (17), is cleaned by a cleaning machine (11), spoil (32) accruing in the process is transported forward underneath the track panels (15) deposited on the track panel wagons (8), and stored in hopper cars (10). New rails (29), pre-deposited underneath new sleepers (27) positioned on sleeper wagons (14), are pulled forward into the renewal gap (17) by the cleaning machine (11) and deposited on the cleaned ballast bed (3). The new sleepers (27) are laid down on the cleaned ballast bed and connected to the new rails (29) lifted off the ballast bed (3).

In a method for renewing a track (2) and cleaning a ballast bed (3), the old track (2) is lifted off the ballast bed in sections as a track panel (15), transported forward in a working direction (4) and deposited on track panel wagons (8). The exposed ballast bed (3), forming a renewal gap (17), is cleaned by a cleaning machine (11), spoil (32) accruing in the process is transported forward underneath the track panels (15) deposited on the track panel wagons (8), and stored in hopper cars (10). New rails (29), pre-deposited underneath new sleepers (27) positioned on sleeper wagons (14), are pulled forward into the renewal gap (17) by the cleaning machine (11) and deposited on the cleaned ballast bed (3). The new sleepers (27) are laid down on the cleaned ballast bed and connected to the new rails (29) lifted off the ballast bed (3).

A cribbing vehicle is provided that includes a vehicle frame and a primary cribbing device coupled to the vehicle frame and having a work head may move between rails of a track. The cribbing vehicle may include an auxiliary cribbing system removably coupled to the vehicle frame in spaced relation to the primary cribbing device and having a push arm may move between a first tie and second tie of the track.

A sample confinement tool includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the sample confinement tool is coupled to a driving tool. The driving tool is coupled to a heavy-duty vehicle. The sample confinement tool is operable to insert a predetermined depth below a ballast surface and collect a ballast sample within the second end of the sample confinement tool. The sample confinement tool is also operable to confine the ballast sample within the second end of the sample confinement tool by mechanically compressing the ballast sample. The sample confinement tool is further operable to release the ballast sample into a sample receptacle by mechanically decompressing the ballast sample.

A sample confinement tool includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the sample confinement tool is coupled to a driving tool. The driving tool is coupled to a heavy-duty vehicle. The sample confinement tool is operable to insert a predetermined depth below a ballast surface and collect a ballast sample within the second end of the sample confinement tool. The sample confinement tool is also operable to confine the ballast sample within the second end of the sample confinement tool by mechanically compressing the ballast sample. The sample confinement tool is further operable to release the ballast sample into a sample receptacle by mechanically decompressing the ballast sample.

A method for waterproofing of bridges (1) and similar structures aimed at railway traffic is described, the structures comprising an arch or deck structure, on which there is placed a ballast (M) of gravel or crushed stone (2) upon which the tracks (6) extend between the two ends of the bridge (1). The waterproofing is obtained first by the removal of the tracks (6) and a reduced layer (S) of gravel or crushed stone (2), leaving in place the remaining part of gravel or crushed stone (2), and then by laying one or more sheets (10) of cured rubber on the remaining part of gravel or crushed stone (2). The thickness of the rubber is such as to be sufficiently resistant to perforation by the gravel or crushed stone (2), which is subsequently placed thereon to complete the ballast, Finally, the previously removed tracks (6) are set in place again. According to the method, a joint is made between the sheets (10) by means of a connection of mechanical type, with a positive locking shape fit, or a chemical bond using a suitable adhesive.