A processing machine for processing a rail track has a power supply unit for providing power and a processing unit which is able to be operated by the power provided by the power supply unit. The power supply unit and the processing unit are configured so as to be separate from one another. On account thereof, the processing unit is able to be operated in a spatially separated manner from the power supply unit, on account of which a user-friendly, flexible and safe processing of the rail track is enabled.

A rail-mounted rail processing machine has at least one traction motor and with at least one working unit for processing tracks, a permanent energy source, an electrical energy storage and a current collector. The components are connected to a common direct current network via power converters. In order to create a rail-mounted rail processing machine that allows low-maintenance and environmentally friendly operation of working aggregates with strongly varying peak loads without having to accept losses in the processing quality, the permanent energy source is a fuel cell which feeds at least one base load of the working unit into the direct current network via one of the power converters. To cover peak loads of at least the working unit, buffer energy of the energy storage acting as a buffer store is feedable into the direct current network via an associated one of the power converters.

A rail-mounted rail processing machine has at least one traction motor and with at least one working unit for processing tracks, a permanent energy source, an electrical energy storage and a current collector. The components are connected to a common direct current network via power converters. In order to create a rail-mounted rail processing machine that allows low-maintenance and environmentally friendly operation of working aggregates with strongly varying peak loads without having to accept losses in the processing quality, the permanent energy source is a fuel cell which feeds at least one base load of the working unit into the direct current network via one of the power converters. To cover peak loads of at least the working unit, buffer energy of the energy storage acting as a buffer store is feedable into the direct current network via an associated one of the power converters.

A railroad trailer chassis comprising two or more road axles, two or more rail axles operable to be moved between first and second positions, and a work unit. The railroad trailer chassis is operable to be driven or towed in a road mode when the two or rail axles are in their respective first positions. The railroad trailer chassis is operable to be driven or towed in a rail mode when the two or more rail axles are in their respective second positions. The work unit is operable to perform one or more railroad maintenance or operation functions when driven in the rail mode.

A railroad trailer chassis comprising two or more road axles, two or more rail axles operable to be moved between first and second positions, and a work unit. The railroad trailer chassis is operable to be driven or towed in a road mode when the two or rail axles are in their respective first positions. The railroad trailer chassis is operable to be driven or towed in a rail mode when the two or more rail axles are in their respective second positions. The work unit is operable to perform one or more railroad maintenance or operation functions when driven in the rail mode.

A method of repairing a defect in a damaged rail of a railroad track comprises positioning a rail profiling device on the rails of the railroad track proximate a defect; securing the rail profiling device to the railroad; adjusting its grinder according to a selected value of wheel cone angle to create a profiled running surface over a portion of the damaged rail; creating a median zone using the grinder to remove material from the damaged rail adjacent the defect at a depth corresponding to at least a maximum depth of the defect; creating an incline from the top of the rail and leading to the median zone and one incline leaving the median zone to the top of the rail by using the grinder to grinding material off the damaged rail.

A method of repairing a defect in a damaged rail of a railroad track comprises positioning a rail profiling device on the rails of the railroad track proximate a defect; securing the rail profiling device to the railroad; adjusting its grinder according to a selected value of wheel cone angle to create a profiled running surface over a portion of the damaged rail; creating a median zone using the grinder to remove material from the damaged rail adjacent the defect at a depth corresponding to at least a maximum depth of the defect; creating an incline from the top of the rail and leading to the median zone and one incline leaving the median zone to the top of the rail by using the grinder to grinding material off the damaged rail.

Rail grinders and related methods of rail grinding in which custom grinding patterns are continually updated based upon an operational status of the rail grinder. The rail grinder includes a plurality of individual grinding modules that are individually arranged to generate the custom grinding patterns for individual rail segments. The custom grinding patterns allow the rail grinder to grind a desired rail profile for each rail segment in a minimum number of grinder passes and at a maximum operating speed for the rail grinder. Utilizing a variety of inputs including current rail conditions, desired rail profile, rail segment type, available grinding modules and grinding module style, a processing system either on-board or remotely located from the rail grinder can iteratively develop a custom grinding pattern that is temporally unique to each rail segment.

Rail grinders and related methods of rail grinding in which custom grinding patterns are continually updated based upon an operational status of the rail grinder. The rail grinder includes a plurality of individual grinding modules that are individually arranged to generate the custom grinding patterns for individual rail segments. The custom grinding patterns allow the rail grinder to grind a desired rail profile for each rail segment in a minimum number of grinder passes and at a maximum operating speed for the rail grinder. Utilizing a variety of inputs including current rail conditions, desired rail profile, rail segment type, available grinding modules and grinding module style, a processing system either on-board or remotely located from the rail grinder can iteratively develop a custom grinding pattern that is temporally unique to each rail segment.

Abrading apparatus and methods for treating opposing web surfaces of an elongate part include engaging the surfaces with first and second abrasion devices coupled to a frame. A drive assembly advances the frame along the part while the abrasion devices are operated to treat the surfaces. A guard assembly is coupled to the frame and includes first and second guards positioned to block portions of the contact areas of the first and second abrasion devices.