A jacking tie and method of using a jacking tie to level and/or lift a railroad track. The jacking tie is configured with an elongate body that is configured to span beneath two parallel rails of a railroad track. Preferably the jacking tie is of the configuration to replace a standard railroad tie. The jacking tie has two jacks, preferably hydraulic cylinder jacks that are positioned so as to lift each of the parallel rails of the railroads. The jacking tie body has two sections. A track support shell is supported by the hydraulic cylinder jacks. The track support shell is configured for nesting or mating engagement with the lower body shell in a compressed or resting position. The hydraulic jack cylinders are configured to lift the track support shell away from the lower body shell, thus lifting the rail positioned above the hydraulic jack cylinder. The track support shell and lower body shell are pivotally connected such that the ends of the track support shell can be independently raised. Preferably, the pivotal connection is maintained in a slot allowing the pivotal connection to rise and lower when both hydraulic lift cylinders are raised or lowered. This functionality allows for the lifting and lowering of two parallel rails of a railroad track by allowing for the lifting of the track and replacement of ballast beneath the track. Preferably the jacking tie is constructed such that it can be left under the track or alternatively can be extended and left in place while the railroad is maintained in operation or alternatively while a ballast tamper travels along the track.

A system and method for use in raising the height of railroad structures. Railroad structures are defined as the structures where two or more railway tracks merge, cross, or divide. The method utilizes excavating an opening beneath a railway track at or adjacent to a railroad structure. A hydraulic jack is positioned within the opening. This is repeated until sufficient hydraulic jacks have been positioned around the structure. The hydraulic jacks are then actuated to raise the railroad structure to a desired height. Generally this height provides a slight crown to the structure. Ballast is then positioned beneath the raised railway. The hydraulic jacks can be disconnected from the hydraulic lines and left in position, or removed. Preferably the hydraulic jacks are positioned on hydraulic jack sleds for improved ease in transporting the hydraulic jacks and to provide a platform on which the hydraulic jack is slid into and out of the opening beneath the railway. An apparatus is provided for use in raising a railroad structure. The apparatus utilizes a hydraulic pump and motor positioned on a frame. Hydraulic fluid is selectively provided through a manifold to the hydraulic jacks, or to one or more remote manifold(s) either directly or through the manifold. Hydraulic jack sleds are provided that are preferably configured for storage and transport on the frame.

The present disclosure generally relates to a railroad chassis vehicle having independently operable workheads for carrying out rail maintenance operations on non-uniform sections of railroad tracks. Related methods of operation of the railroad chassis and associated maintenance of ballast beds underlying railroad tracks are also described.

A jacking tie and method of using a jacking tie to level and/or lift a railroad track. The jacking tie is configured with an elongate body that is configured to span beneath two parallel rails of a railroad track. The jacking tie has two jacks, preferably hydraulic cylinder jacks that are positioned so as to lift each of the parallel rails of the railroads. The jacking tie body has two sections. A track support shell is supported by the hydraulic cylinder jacks. The track support shell is configured for nesting or mating engagement with the lower body shell in a compressed or resting position. The hydraulic jack cylinders are configured to lift the track support shell away from the lower body shell, thus lifting the rail positioned above the hydraulic jack cylinder. The track support shell and lower body shell are pivotally connected such that the ends of the track support shell can be independently raised.

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.

The invention concerns a track maintenance machine for tamping a track having sleepers supported in a ballast bed with rails fitted to the same, with a machine frame that is mobile on on-track undercarriages and with a tamping unit. Wherein a camera for transmitting real-time images to an output means is arranged upstream of the tamping unit in a working direction. A first camera system is arranged upstream of the tamping unit in working direction here for recording a first surface area of the track as a first image section. In addition, a second camera system is arranged downstream of the tamping unit in working direction for recording a second surface area of the track as a second image section, wherein the recorded image sections partly overlap and wherein the output means is equipped for issuing the image sections in a merged image.