An e-clip installation machine for securing rails to steel ties via automating and reducing the time required for installing e-clips that attach rails to steel ties is provided. The e-clip installation machine automates the process of securing rails to steel ties via inserting e-clips into a respective shoulder clip on either side of the two rails. A pair of hydraulic jaws clamp the steel tie and bring it up against the underside of the rails. Two e-clips for each rail are placed in position at the respective shoulder clips. Two pairs of hydraulic clamp mechanisms, corresponding to each rail, press the respective e-clips through openings within the respective shoulder clips. The e-clip installation assembly includes a jaw assembly and two clamp assemblies. Each clamp assembly includes a pair of clamp mechanisms, positionable on either side of a rail in proximity to a shoulder clip affixed to a steel tie. A clamp mechanism is utilized to compress an e-clip within an opening of the shoulder clip.

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 system and method for use in raising the height of railroad structures. Railroad structures are defined as the structures where two or mor 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.

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.

An e-clip installation machine for securing rails to steel ties via automating and reducing the time required for installing e-clips that attach rails to steel ties is provided. The e-clip installation machine automates the process of securing rails to steel ties via inserting e-clips into a respective shoulder clip on either side of the two rails. A pair of hydraulic jaws clamp the steel tie and bring it up against the underside of the rails. Two e-clips for each rail are placed in position at the respective shoulder clips. Two pairs of hydraulic clamp mechanisms, corresponding to each rail, press the respective e-clips through openings within the respective shoulder clips. The e-clip installation assembly includes a jaw assembly and two clamp assemblies. Each clamp assembly includes a pair of clamp mechanisms, positionable on either side of a rail in proximity to a shoulder clip affixed to a steel tie. A clamp mechanism is utilized to compress an e-clip within an opening of the shoulder clip.