A method for stabilizing a track having sleepers supported on a track ballast and rails secured to the sleepers, includes using a stabilizing unit which is connected to a machine frame that can be moved on the rails and has a vibration exciter and rollers that can roll on the rails. The vibration exciter generates in particular horizontal vibrations which run transversely to the track longitudinal direction. The course of a force exerted onto the track by the stabilizing unit is recorded over a vibration path during a vibration cycle by sensors. At least one parameter is derived from the course by an evaluation device and is used to evaluate the stabilizing procedure and/or the quality of the track ballast. A device for implementing the method is also provided.

A track maintenance machine for stabilizing a ballast bed of a track after a tamping operation, includes a machine frame mobile on on-track undercarriages and a stabilizing unit which has rollers for gripping a track grid and a vibration generator for actuating the track grid with a vibration. A clearing device is disposed at both longitudinal sides of the track maintenance machine in front of the stabilizing unit with regard to a working direction. Each respective clearing device includes a clearing tool which can be lowered into the ballast bed to remove ballast from a respective sleeper-end region. Thus, preconditions are created by using the stabilizing unit to achieve an increased lowering of the track grid as compared to a normal stabilizing procedure. A method for operating a track maintenance machine is also provided.

A track maintenance machine for stabilizing a ballast bed of a track after a tamping operation, includes a machine frame mobile on on-track undercarriages and a stabilizing unit which has rollers for gripping a track grid and a vibration generator for actuating the track grid with a vibration. A clearing device is disposed at both longitudinal sides of the track maintenance machine in front of the stabilizing unit with regard to a working direction. Each respective clearing device includes a clearing tool which can be lowered into the ballast bed to remove ballast from a respective sleeper-end region. Thus, preconditions are created by using the stabilizing unit to achieve an increased lowering of the track grid as compared to a normal stabilizing procedure. A method for operating a track maintenance machine is also provided.

A system for working on a track with a track maintenance machine has a machine controller and a work unit controlled thereby, with sensors being arranged to monitor the work unit. In this context, the sensors are coupled to a data acquisition module for the separate recording of sensor data, with the data acquisition module being connected to a computing unit in which a first algorithm for calculating result data from the sensor data is set up. In this way, the system contains additional structural components for processing sensor signals. With the data acquisition module and the computing unit, different evaluations of the working mode can be performed independently of an existing monitoring function.

A system for working on a track with a track maintenance machine has a machine controller and a work unit controlled thereby, with sensors being arranged to monitor the work unit. In this context, the sensors are coupled to a data acquisition module for the separate recording of sensor data, with the data acquisition module being connected to a computing unit in which a first algorithm for calculating result data from the sensor data is set up. In this way, the system contains additional structural components for processing sensor signals. With the data acquisition module and the computing unit, different evaluations of the working mode can be performed independently of an existing monitoring function.

A tamping machine includes at least one first tamping unit with first tamping tools and a first hydraulic motor provided with a first drive shaft driving the first tamping tools so as to generate tamping movements, and a second tamping unit adjacent the first tamping unit with second tamping tools and a second hydraulic motor provided with a second drive shaft driving the second tamping tools so as to generate tamping movements. The first hydraulic motor and the second hydraulic motor are supplied with power by a common synchronized hydraulic power supply system.

A tamping machine includes at least one first tamping unit with first tamping tools and a first hydraulic motor provided with a first drive shaft driving the first tamping tools so as to generate tamping movements, and a second tamping unit adjacent the first tamping unit with second tamping tools and a second hydraulic motor provided with a second drive shaft driving the second tamping tools so as to generate tamping movements. The first hydraulic motor and the second hydraulic motor are supplied with power by a common synchronized hydraulic power supply system.

A vibratory tamping machine for compacting a ballast bed of a track has a vibration mechanism which is driven by means of an electric drive motor. The vibratory tamping machine has a vibration decoupling device, which defines a decoupling plane and separates a working side from an operating side, for the vibration-decoupling of at least one handle. The handles are arranged on the operating side, whereas the electric drive motor and the vibration mechanism are arranged on the working side.

A vibratory tamping machine for compacting a ballast bed of a track has a vibration mechanism which is driven by means of an electric drive motor. The vibratory tamping machine has a vibration decoupling device, which defines a decoupling plane and separates a working side from an operating side, for the vibration-decoupling of at least one handle. The handles are arranged on the operating side, whereas the electric drive motor and the vibration mechanism are arranged on the working side.

A rail maintenance vehicle includes a frame, a workhead, and a vibration unit. The frame includes wheels that travel along rails. The vibration unit includes a rod member having a coil assembly coupled thereto. The vibration unit further includes a core assembly operable to receive the rod member therein. The core assembly includes a plurality of magnet members disposed along the periphery of the core assembly. The coil assembly and magnet members are operable to impart linear motion to the rod member relative to the core assembly.