GB993062A - Method of and apparatus for the renewal of tracks of permanent ways - Google Patents

Abstract

993,062. Relaying railway tracks. F. PLASSER, [trading as FRANZ PLASSER BAHNBAUMASCHINEN]. Sept. 28, 1961 [Oct. 27, 1960], No. 34915/61. Heading E1G. A method of renewing permanent way tracks in which old track sections 4 are taken up individually, inverted and then conveyed away in the longitudinal direction of the track, and in which the new track sections 5 are fed also in inverted position to the laying site longitudinally of the track, whereafter they are reinverted and lowered into position. In Fig. 1, new track sections are stacked in wagons 1, rearwardly of a track laying machine 2, in the direction in which old track sections are being replaced one after the other, the old track sections, after replacement, being stacked in further wagons 3 forwardly of the machine 2. Grippers 6 on the machine 2 grip the rails and raise the section 4, and the body of the machine 2 2 is rotated through 180 degrees with the section 4, which is then conveyed to and lowered into a wagon 3. Meanwhile, the section 5 is lifted out of a wagon 1 and conveyed to the machine 2 to take the place of the section 4. The body of the machine 2 is then again rotated and the grippers 6 actuated to lower the section 5 into position. Fig. 3 shows one end of the machine 2. The track sections are moved along guideways 8 and the grippers 6 are retractable into the body of the machine during its rotation. A device 7, e.g. a ballast rake, plough or levelling plate, which is also retractable may be used to treat the ballast whilst the rail sections are being transferred from and on to the body of the machine 2. It is also possible to provide ballast packing or cleaning devices. For laying curved track sections the grippers 6 are able to be moved longitudinally and transversely of the body of the machine 2 and to be locked in position so that a new track section can forcibly be given the correct curvature before laying. The wagons 1, 3 each have guideways 8 fixed to arms 8<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 9, pivoted at the bottom of the wagon. Frames 11, which pass between the rails and between two adjacent sleepers have retractable lifting grippers 12, which engage with the rails of a track section and lift it out of the wagon to a position where the guideways 8 can be pivoted back underneath the rails. Preferably the movements of the grippers 12 and guideways 8 are coupled so that the guideways 8 move out as the grippers 12 come into operation. Further guide frames (not shown) may be provided, without the lifting grippers 12 to locate the track sections in the wagon and rollers, preferably motor driven, may be provided opposite these frames to facilitate the movement of the track sections along the guideways 8. The machine may be rendered automatic in operation.