A track-tamping machine (100) for compressing the ballast bed of a track comprises a tamping assembly group that has at least two tamping assemblies (ST), which are arranged in a row and can be moved transversely to the track-tamping machine longitudinal direction (AR) by a transverse-movement device, in order to tamp the track on each track-tamping machine side (R, L). The tamping assembly group (V, H) is rotatably mounted on a support (18) for the purpose of a rotational adjustment about a track-tamping machine vertical axis (A). At least two tamping assembly groups (V, H) are arranged one behind the other in the track-tamping machine longitudinal direction (A, R), said groups being rotatably mounted about the track-tamping machine vertical axis (A) via a common rotational device (2), wherein the tamping assemblies (ST) of the tamping assembly groups (V, H) can be moved independently of one another transversely to the track-tamping machine longitudinal direction (AR) and can be lifted and lowered relative to the consoles (3) independently of one another.

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 track maintenance machine for carrying out track position corrections includes a machine frame movable by on-track undercarriages on rails of a track and a track position measuring system having two outer measuring devices and a central measuring device with a common reference base, relative to a longitudinal direction of the machine. The measuring devices are defined in their position relative to the rails. Two mutually aligned measuring chords are tensioned or stretched as a reference base between the outer measuring devices. The central measuring device includes a measuring transducer for detecting position data of the two measuring chords. The position data are fed to an evaluation device in order to determine a longitudinal level for each rail and a versine. Thus, two measuring chords are sufficient to detect all of the track parameters. A method for operation of a track maintenance machine is also provided.

A track maintenance machine for carrying out track position corrections includes a machine frame movable by on-track undercarriages on rails of a track and a track position measuring system having two outer measuring devices and a central measuring device with a common reference base, relative to a longitudinal direction of the machine. The measuring devices are defined in their position relative to the rails. Two mutually aligned measuring chords are tensioned or stretched as a reference base between the outer measuring devices. The central measuring device includes a measuring transducer for detecting position data of the two measuring chords. The position data are fed to an evaluation device in order to determine a longitudinal level for each rail and a versine. Thus, two measuring chords are sufficient to detect all of the track parameters. A method for operation of a track maintenance machine is also provided.

The invention relates to a track maintenance machine for tamping sleepers installed on a ballast bed of a track, comprising a machine frame movable on rail-based running gears, track lifting and lining units for correcting the track geometry as well as two 1-sleeper tamping units arranged one behind the other in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the machine that work independently of one another, with each tamping unit comprising at least four tamping unit segments that work independently of one another, adjustable in height via vertical drives and horizontally shiftable in the transverse direction of the machine via transverse drives, with each tamping unit segment comprising at least one tamping tool carrier, with opposing tamping tools being mounted on the tamping tool carrier and coupled via a vibration drive. It is provided that one of the two tamping units is designed as a turnout tamping unit, that by means of a shifting unit consisting of three transverse guiding units that work independently of one another the associated tamping unit segments are transversely shiftably mounted and can be positioned outwards with respect to the longitudinal axis of the machine in relation to the machine frame or in relation to a satellite frame movable along the longitudinal axis of the machine, and that the other tamping unit is designed as a plain-line tamping unit in such a way that the associated tamping unit segments are transversely shiftably mounted and can be positioned with only one shifting unit. This increases the machine's performance and thus its tamping output when maintaining plain lines and/or turnouts.

The invention relates to a track maintenance machine for tamping sleepers installed on a ballast bed of a track, comprising a machine frame movable on rail-based running gears, track lifting and lining units for correcting the track geometry as well as two 1-sleeper tamping units arranged one behind the other in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the machine that work independently of one another, with each tamping unit comprising at least four tamping unit segments that work independently of one another, adjustable in height via vertical drives and horizontally shiftable in the transverse direction of the machine via transverse drives, with each tamping unit segment comprising at least one tamping tool carrier, with opposing tamping tools being mounted on the tamping tool carrier and coupled via a vibration drive. It is provided that one of the two tamping units is designed as a turnout tamping unit, that by means of a shifting unit consisting of three transverse guiding units that work independently of one another the associated tamping unit segments are transversely shiftably mounted and can be positioned outwards with respect to the longitudinal axis of the machine in relation to the machine frame or in relation to a satellite frame movable along the longitudinal axis of the machine, and that the other tamping unit is designed as a plain-line tamping unit in such a way that the associated tamping unit segments are transversely shiftably mounted and can be positioned with only one shifting unit. This increases the machine's performance and thus its tamping output when maintaining plain lines and/or turnouts.

A method for compaction of a track ballast bed uses a tamping unit including two oppositely positioned tamping tools which are actuated with vibrations and are lowered into the track ballast bed during a tamping operation and moved towards one another with a squeezing motion. A progression of a force acting upon the tamping tool over a path covered by the tamping tool is recorded during a vibration cycle by sensors disposed at the tamping unit for at least one tamping tool. At least one characteristic value is derived therefrom and used to carry out an evaluation of the tamping operation and/or of a quality of the track ballast bed. The tamping unit is thus used as a measuring apparatus during operative use. A device for performing the method is also provided.

A method for compaction of a track ballast bed uses a tamping unit including two oppositely positioned tamping tools which are actuated with vibrations and are lowered into the track ballast bed during a tamping operation and moved towards one another with a squeezing motion. A progression of a force acting upon the tamping tool over a path covered by the tamping tool is recorded during a vibration cycle by sensors disposed at the tamping unit for at least one tamping tool. At least one characteristic value is derived therefrom and used to carry out an evaluation of the tamping operation and/or of a quality of the track ballast bed. The tamping unit is thus used as a measuring apparatus during operative use. A device for performing the method is also provided.

A rail-lifting and ballast-spreading apparatus that may be employed to rehabilitate damaged tracks or aid rough in of new tracks, is described. The apparatus includes a track-lifting unit at a forward end thereof that includes an arm that is pivotable to extend forwardly and over a section of track in need of repair or ballast replenishment. Rail clamps are provided on a distal end of the arm that engage and travel along the rails as the apparatus moves forward. A conveyor provides a stream of ballast across the width of the tracks while the tracks are lifted and as the apparatus moves forward onto the now repaired tracks. A surge bin is provided to increase a rate of distribution of the ballast material by the conveyor over that available from the ballast-delivery consist.