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).

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).

The invention relates to a track maintenance machine having a tamping unit for tamping sleepers of a track lying in a ballast bed, including a tool carrier which is mounted for vertical adjustment on an assembly frame and on which tamping tools are arranged so as to be squeezable towards one another, wherein the tool carrier is coupled to a vertical adjustment drive actuated by means of a control device. In this, a control circuit is set up for controlling a lowering motion of the tool carrier, the control circuit including a controller, a setting device for the vertical adjustment drive and a measuring device for recording the lowering motion. With this, it is possible to provide an optimal course for the lowering motion.