The invention relates to a method for the automatic correction of the position of individual faults (H(n)) of a track formed by rails (16) and sleepers (9) with a track tamping machine (2). After the left and right rails have been surveyed independently by means of an inertial measuring unit (11), the length and position of the individual fault (TAMP, S, E) to be corrected is determined by taking into account a limit value of the individual faults (F.sub.LIM) and a maximum extension (s.sub.max) in the longitudinal direction of the track (s). The tamping units (7) of the tamping machine (s) are positioned exactly at the starting point (S) and end the tamping at the end point (E) of the determined track correction section (TAMP). Both track sections (F.sub.LI,F.sub.RE) are tamped and corrected simultaneously.

A rail vehicle includes a frame, a pair of wheels, a joint locator, a clamping assembly, and a processor. The wheels travel along a rail. The joint locator detects a joint bar on the rail. The clamping assembly is coupled to the frame and includes a pair of rail clamps disposed laterally outward of the pair of wheels. The processor is configured to automatically actuate the clamping assembly when the clamping assembly reaches the joint bar.

A rail vehicle includes a frame, a pair of wheels, a joint locator, a clamping assembly, and a processor. The wheels travel along a rail. The joint locator detects a joint bar on the rail. The clamping assembly is coupled to the frame and includes a pair of rail clamps disposed laterally outward of the pair of wheels. The processor is configured to automatically actuate the clamping assembly when the clamping assembly reaches the joint bar.

The present disclosure generally relates to a road rail stoneblower vehicle for carrying out rail maintenance operations near fixed structures such as bridges and overpasses. The road rail stoneblower includes a hi-rail chassis having a first set of wheels configured to engage a road surface and a second set of wheels configured to engage surfaces of substantially parallel rails of a railroad track. The road rail stoneblower further includes a plurality of workheads that are capable of dispensing ballast stones into a bed of ballast underlying the railroad track to adjust the height of the rails. The road rail stoneblower further includes a leveling system detachedly coupled to the hi-rail chassis that is configured to transmit a detectable signal that defines a reference plane with which the rails are to be aligned. Related methods of operation of the road rail stoneblower vehicle and associated maintenance of ballast beds underlying railroad tracks are also described.

The present disclosure generally relates to a road rail stoneblower vehicle for carrying out rail maintenance operations near fixed structures such as bridges and overpasses. The road rail stoneblower includes a hi-rail chassis having a first set of wheels configured to engage a road surface and a second set of wheels configured to engage surfaces of substantially parallel rails of a railroad track. The road rail stoneblower further includes a plurality of workheads that are capable of dispensing ballast stones into a bed of ballast underlying the railroad track to adjust the height of the rails. The road rail stoneblower further includes a leveling system detachedly coupled to the hi-rail chassis that is configured to transmit a detectable signal that defines a reference plane with which the rails are to be aligned. Related methods of operation of the road rail stoneblower vehicle and associated maintenance of ballast beds underlying railroad tracks are also described.

A tool for aligning a first rail segment with a second rail segment includes an elongated rigid member, a first arrangement, and a second arrangement. The member is configured to be positioned in an overlapping state with the first rail segment and the second rail segment. The first arrangement engages a first end portion of the first rail segment and is actuated to urge the first end portion towards the elongated rigid member. The second arrangement engages a second end portion of the second rail segment and is actuated to urge the second end portion towards the elongated rigid member. When each of the first end portion and the second end portion is urged towards the elongated rigid member, the first rail segment and the second rail segment adjoin and fall in alignment with each other to be connected together and form a contiguous rail portion of a rail line.

A tool for aligning a first rail segment with a second rail segment includes an elongated rigid member, a first arrangement, and a second arrangement. The member is configured to be positioned in an overlapping state with the first rail segment and the second rail segment. The first arrangement engages a first end portion of the first rail segment and is actuated to urge the first end portion towards the elongated rigid member. The second arrangement engages a second end portion of the second rail segment and is actuated to urge the second end portion towards the elongated rigid member. When each of the first end portion and the second end portion is urged towards the elongated rigid member, the first rail segment and the second rail segment adjoin and fall in alignment with each other to be connected together and form a contiguous rail portion of a rail line.

The invention relates to a method for correcting vertical position defects of a track after a lifting-tamping process, with a stabilizing process carried out by means of a dynamic track stabilizer in which a stabilizing unit acts on the track at a forward-moving working point in a working direction, with track position data of the untreated track being recorded before the lifting-tamping process, and with track position data of the tamped track being recorded after the lifting-tamping process at a measuring point located in front of the stabilizing unit in the working direction. In this case, additional track position data of the stabilized track are recorded at an post-measuring point located behind the stabilizing unit in the working direction, with the dynamic track stabilizer being actuated during the stabilizing process as a function of track position data of the untreated and the tamped track at the working point and of track position data of the stabilized track at the post-measuring point. The additional post-measurement of the track position after the stabilizing process enables precise control of the dynamic track stabilizer.

By supporting a space generated by a settlement of the track bed gravel or asphalt roadbed underneath a concrete rail tie with cylindrical rods, and installing the present invention, one each separately, on the left and right sides of the concrete rail tie, recovery from settlements is automatic, and the response to differential settlements of the left and right rails of the track due to the train load can be easily facilitated, and by installing pressure reducing valves on the upper part of the concrete rail ties, pressure can be reduced while maintaining the track system as is without having to dismantle the concrete rail ties, and accordingly the usability of the concrete rail ties can be improved.

By supporting a space generated by a settlement of the track bed gravel or asphalt roadbed underneath a concrete rail tie with cylindrical rods, and installing the present invention, one each separately, on the left and right sides of the concrete rail tie, recovery from settlements is automatic, and the response to differential settlements of the left and right rails of the track due to the train load can be easily facilitated, and by installing pressure reducing valves on the upper part of the concrete rail ties, pressure can be reduced while maintaining the track system as is without having to dismantle the concrete rail ties, and accordingly the usability of the concrete rail ties can be improved.