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 with a conveyor or excavating chain arrangement for removing and collecting railway ballast and/or other formation or substructure layers of a track structure, comprising a cutter bar which can be positioned below a track and which has at least two bar elements, each adjustable in position and alignment, and which is attached on the one hand to an ascent channel and on the other hand to a return channel, furthermore comprising a guided excavating chain consisting of a plurality of chain links, wherein the arrangement can be fastened to a machine frame by means of at least one height-adjustable suspension device. It is provided that the excavating chain is designed to be divisible, that the bar elements can be connected via a coupling to form a closed overall unit, and that the arrangement can be variably adjusted in its excavating working width by adjusting the position of the bar elements. This provides a significant improvement in handling when setting up, installing, and positioning the machine device.

The invention relates to a track maintenance machine with a conveyor or excavating chain arrangement for removing and collecting railway ballast and/or other formation or substructure layers of a track structure, comprising a cutter bar which can be positioned below a track and which has at least two bar elements, each adjustable in position and alignment, and which is attached on the one hand to an ascent channel and on the other hand to a return channel, furthermore comprising a guided excavating chain consisting of a plurality of chain links, wherein the arrangement can be fastened to a machine frame by means of at least one height-adjustable suspension device. It is provided that the excavating chain is designed to be divisible, that the bar elements can be connected via a coupling to form a closed overall unit, and that the arrangement can be variably adjusted in its excavating working width by adjusting the position of the bar elements. This provides a significant improvement in handling when setting up, installing, and positioning the machine device.

Disclosed is an articulated assembly of two links for a ballast removal chain, a first of the two links comprising a single-piece member having two flanges which are parallel to one another and each of which has a through-hole, a second of the two links comprising a single-piece member comprising a guide flange that is inserted between the two parallel flanges of the first link, the guide flange being penetrated by a guide hole, the articulated assembly further comprising a hinge pin that is inserted into the guide hole and the through-hole in each of the two parallel flanges. The guide hole is reinforced by a bushing designed to receive the hinge pin and rotatingly guide the hinge pin relative to the single-piece member of the second link. The through-hole in one of the two parallel flanges comprises a flat portion cooperating with a flat section of the hinge pin so as to prevent the hinge pin from rotating relative to the single-piece member of the first link.

Disclosed is an articulated assembly of two links for a ballast removal chain, a first of the two links comprising a single-piece member having two flanges which are parallel to one another and each of which has a through-hole, a second of the two links comprising a single-piece member comprising a guide flange that is inserted between the two parallel flanges of the first link, the guide flange being penetrated by a guide hole, the articulated assembly further comprising a hinge pin that is inserted into the guide hole and the through-hole in each of the two parallel flanges. The guide hole is reinforced by a bushing designed to receive the hinge pin and rotatingly guide the hinge pin relative to the single-piece member of the second link. The through-hole in one of the two parallel flanges comprises a flat portion cooperating with a flat section of the hinge pin so as to prevent the hinge pin from rotating relative to the single-piece member of the first link.

The disclosure describes a sample confinement tool that includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the sample confinement tool is coupled to a driving tool. The driving tool is coupled to a heavy-duty vehicle. The sample confinement tool is operable to insert a predetermined depth below a ballast surface and collect a ballast sample within the second end of the sample confinement tool. The sample confinement tool is also operable to confine the ballast sample within the second end of the sample confinement tool by mechanically compressing the ballast sample. The sample confinement tool is further operable to release the ballast sample into a sample receptacle by mechanically decompressing the ballast sample.

The disclosure describes a sample confinement tool that includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the sample confinement tool is coupled to a driving tool. The driving tool is coupled to a heavy-duty vehicle. The sample confinement tool is operable to insert a predetermined depth below a ballast surface and collect a ballast sample within the second end of the sample confinement tool. The sample confinement tool is also operable to confine the ballast sample within the second end of the sample confinement tool by mechanically compressing the ballast sample. The sample confinement tool is further operable to release the ballast sample into a sample receptacle by mechanically decompressing the ballast sample.

An apparatus for cribbing and anchor attachment on rails of a railroad track, including a frame movable along the track, at least one dual function workhead mounted to the frame that is moveable into and out of operational position relative to the track, an anchor applicator tool pivotably mounted to each workhead, and a cribber tool mounted to each workhead and adjacent the anchor applicator tool. Each anchor applicator tool and cribber tool is movable under operator control relative to the workhead from a retracted position to a work position.

An apparatus for cribbing and anchor attachment on rails of a railroad track, including a frame movable along the track, at least one dual function workhead mounted to the frame that is moveable into and out of operational position relative to the track, an anchor applicator tool pivotably mounted to each workhead, and a cribber tool mounted to each workhead and adjacent the anchor applicator tool. Each anchor applicator tool and cribber tool is movable under operator control relative to the workhead from a retracted position to a work position.