In a method for renewing a track (2) and cleaning a ballast bed (3), the old track (2) is lifted off the ballast bed in sections as a track panel (15), transported forward in a working direction (4) and deposited on track panel wagons (8). The exposed ballast bed (3), forming a renewal gap (17), is cleaned by a cleaning machine (11), spoil (32) accruing in the process is transported forward underneath the track panels (15) deposited on the track panel wagons (8), and stored in hopper cars (10). New rails (29), pre-deposited underneath new sleepers (27) positioned on sleeper wagons (14), are pulled forward into the renewal gap (17) by the cleaning machine (11) and deposited on the cleaned ballast bed (3). The new sleepers (27) are laid down on the cleaned ballast bed and connected to the new rails (29) lifted off the ballast bed (3).

A link for an excavating chain for a ballast excavating device below a railroad track, the link comprising a body extending longitudinally between a front end and a rear end and being crossed by at least one front through-hole and a rear through-hole configured to receive hinge means with an adjacent link of the chain, the front and rear through-holes extending along axes parallel to each other and contained in a reference plane of the body, the link further comprising, on an inner side of the body with respect to the reference plane opposite to the outer side, a concave guide surface extending over an envelope having an axis generator parallel to the axes of the link joints, the guide surface being configured to at least locally match a curvature of a return member of the excavating device.

An installation for cleaning ballast of a track includes a plurality of vehicles having machine frames supported on on-track undercarriages. Two shoulder clearing chains, positioned opposite one another relative to a transverse direction of the track, take up ballast located in a shoulder area adjoining sleeper ends, an endless clearing chain follows the shoulder clearing chains relative to a working direction of the installation and is to be guided around the track for taking up ballast underneath the track. A screening installation, conveying devices for transporting ballast, and a ballast introduction device are also provided. A first conveying device transporting ballast to the screening installation is associated with the shoulder clearing chains. A second conveying device transporting ballast to a processing unit is associated with the endless clearing chain. A third conveying device transporting ballast to the screening installation is associated with the processing unit.

In a method for renewing a track (2) and cleaning a ballast bed (3), the old track (2) is lifted off the ballast bed in sections as a track panel (15), transported forward in a working direction (4) and deposited on track panel wagons (8). The exposed ballast bed (3), forming a renewal gap (17), is cleaned by a cleaning machine (11), spoil (32) accruing in the process is transported forward underneath the track panels (15) deposited on the track panel wagons (8), and stored in hopper cars (10). New rails (29), pre-deposited underneath new sleepers (27) positioned on sleeper wagons (14), are pulled forward into the renewal gap (17) by the cleaning machine (11) and deposited on the cleaned ballast bed (3). The new sleepers (27) are laid down on the cleaned ballast bed and connected to the new rails (29) lifted off the ballast bed (3).