GB2207167A - Track tamping machine - Google Patents

Description

2 120 7 16 7 TRACK TAMPING MACHINE 1 This invention relates to a

travelling on-track machine for tamping the ballast beneath the sleepers of a railway track comprising a machine frame supported by undercarriages spaced apart from one another with at least one tamping unitcomprising tamping tools designed to penetrate into the ballast which are mounted on a tool carrier designed for vertical displacement under the power of a drive and which are designed for movement relative to one another in pairs and for vibration under the power of squeezing and vibration d r i v e s.

It is essential to the condition or rather life of a railway track consisting of rails and sleepers joined to one another and supported by a ballast bed that the sleepers lie on a thoroughly tamped bearing surface so that the pos- ition of the track can be maintained in regard to level and direction and other factors. Railway tracks comprising sleepers are tamped by track tamping machines which tamp the ballast under the sleepers both in steps and in a continuous (non-stop) advance by squeezing together the tamping tines which are designed to penetrate into the ballast bed on the left and right and to be vibrated at the same time. Known tamping machines (cf. Applicants' GB 2126635) comprise corresponding vertically displaceable tamping units for tamping the ballast beneath one or even two immediately adjacent sleepers. The track is brought by lifting and lining tools, in conjunction with levelling and lining reference systems., into a new correct position in which it is fixed by tamping of the ballast beneath each individual sleeper. However, there are also many small tamping machines with no reference systems and lifting and lining tools. Machines of this type are generally used solely for re(a Opir work.

Tamping machines of the type in question for tamping the ballast beneath the sleepers of a track are equipped (cf.

Applicants' GB-2096215) in particular with one tamping 1 unit per rail comprising tamping tools designed for vibration by a drive which are arranged in pairs on a tamping tool carrier and which are designed to penetrate into the ballast bed where the rail crosses the sleeper and to be- moved towards one another under the power of hydraulic cylinder-andpiston squeezing drives.

Now, in the tamping of sidings and branch lines, individual sleepers can assume an oblique position to the rails or may even be completely detached from the rails, their rail fastenings, particularly screws, gradually becoming loose as a result of vibration and, in particular, charring of the old wooden sleepers, often even in consequence of adverse, uneven sleeper crib consolidation. Accordingly, sleepers such as these, in view of the uneven sleeper crib or rather the incorrect positio.n, can only be tamped in a more time- consuming operation involving the use of relatively expensive auxiliary units, for example sleeper transporting and lining units, rail fastening units, etc., unless general track rehabilitation is planned. In the context of general track rehabilitation, badly damaged sleepers are replaced by new sleepers by a special sleeper changing machine so that branch lines and sidings of the type in question can be kept serviceable at stations. The extensive main work which this involves is finished by tamping of the new sleepers by power tampers and then a tamping and lining machine. This individual replacement of damaged sleepers is standard practice above all in countries where spikes are used as rail fastenings, the above-mentioned problems of oblique or loose sleepers being encountered even more frequently on account of the easier loosening of rail spikes.

To have enough ballast for the tamping process, it is known (cf. for example Applicants' GB 1542746) that the machine may be preceded by a ballast plough which not only brings up the ballast from the shoulders of the ballast bed, but also - and in particular - supplies the tamping zones 1 with enough ballast so that the sleepers can be adequately and thoroughly tamped for the subsequent use of the tamping units. During the treatment of the track, therefore, these tamping machines - whether small or large with high or-rel- - atively low performance and accuracy - are preceded by suc-h ballast ploughs which, in many cases, are in the form of independent self- propelled vehicles. In this connection, it is not always economical, particularly with relatively small tamping machines, to arrange a relatively expensive ballast plough in front of the tamping machine. In the practical application of such tamping machines, the sleepers which are either damaged or have shifted position through loose fastenings are replaced or moved into the correct position by separate machines with sleeper removal and insertion units.

is The object of the present invention is to provide a travelling on-track tamping machine of which the type mentioned at the beginning by means of which the individual sleepers, before being tamped, may be shifted in their position relative to the track or rather transversely or longitudinally positioned and may be supplied with even more ballast as required before the tamping process so that the track can be treated quickly and without interruption, even in the presence of oblique or loose sleepers.

According to the invention, this object is achieved with a machine of the type described at the beginning in that the machine comprises a unit associated with the tamping unit and designed for vertical displacement by a drive - for i i i 1 1 gripping and transversely shifting or positioning a sleeper and/or a ballast clearing unit designed for vertical dis placement by a drive and for stripping the ballast from the sleepers and for supplying ballast to the tamping zones.

A surprisingly simple combination such as this of a tamping machine with a unit for gripping and transversely shifting or rather positioning sleepers is particularly suitable for finishing a sleeper replacement operation.

The sleeper replaced beforehand, for example even by separ- ate units, may be brought immediately before tamping into its transversely and longitudinally correct final position immediately before the tamping operation. Equally, however, a damaged sleeper discovered in the course of tamping work or a sleeper which has merely shifted position through loose fastenings may be removed from the track by the positioning unit and, if necessary, replaced immediately by a new sleeper inserted by the same unit before any tamping work is carried out. Accordingly, there is no longer any need for the uneconomical use of a separate sleeper changing unit, parti- cularly where the number of damaged sleepers is relatively small. After correct positioning, the new sleeper may then be immediately tamped by the tamping unit. By means of the ballast clearing unit provided in particular on the machine, the ballast lying on the sleepers can be removed and the ballast in the sleeper cribs distributed and planed for uniform tamping. Accordingly, the tamping machine according to the invention is particularly suitable for the extremely rapid and effective repair of sudden, relatively minor track damage, advantageously during even relatively brief intervals between trains, more especially at damaged sleepers or sleepers which have shifted position through loose or faulty fastenings, such as spikes, screws or the like.

In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the vertically displaceable positioning unit is mounted on the machine frame or rather on a tool support frame for vertical i is and transverse displacement relative to the longitudinal axis of the machine under the power of a drive and is provided with a gripping element operable by a drive for gripping the sleeper. The vertically and transversely displaceable gripping element provides for considerable mobility and adaptability both for gripping and for displacing a sleeper in the track for the correct positioning thereof, the reaction forces advantageously being transmittable to the robust machine frame of a track tamping machine. In addition, however, the complete removal of an old sleeper from the track is possible and, after a new sleeper has been taken up by the gripping element, it may readily be insertedinto the track and correctly positioned by the positioning unit in a very simple and advantageous manner.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the tamping unit, the sleeper positioning unit and/or the ballast clearing unit form a working unit with the associated tool drives and are mounted on their own tool support frame which is designed to travel on the track through at least one flanged-wheel supporting undercarriage and which is connected by a longitudinal displacement drive and, preferably, a power supply line to a preferably recessed machine frame of a working vehicle, more especially a continuously advancing machine for partial sleeper replacement or rather track re- newal. A working unit such as this with a relatively simple pole-like frame construction, particularly in conjunction with a machine designed for continuous (non-stop) advance, of which the machine frame is upwardly recessed to accommodate the working unit, is suitable for the replacement of sleepers. Through the provision of a longitudinal displacement drive between the machine frame of the continuously advancing machine and the working unit, the working unit is able to stop briefly on the track to carry out its work despite the continuous advance of the machine frame - by displacement relative thereto. On completion of its work, 1 the entire working unit can be rapidly displaced back into its frontmost starting position relative to the machine frame by activation of the longitudinal displacement drive. The arrangement of the positioning unit immediately adj-acentthe-tamping unit also has the considerable advantage that work can be directly observed from the same operator's seat.

In another particularly advantage embodiment of the invention, the tamping unit, the sleeper positioning unit and/or the ballast clearing unit are arranged on the machine frame one behind the other longitudinally of the machine between the two on-track undercarriages of a track tamping machine equipped with a levelling and lining reference system and a track lifting and lining unit. With a track tamping machine such as this equipped with these working units and suitable for the high-performance tamping of even relatively long sections of track, any damaged sleepers discovered may be removed and replaced by the sleeper positioning unit while tamping work is only briefly interrupted. During insertion of the new sleeper, the ballast is removed via the rail.

Equally, ballast lying on the sleepers can be stripped into the sleeper cribs by the ballast clearing unit preceding the tamping unit and the ballast present in the sleeper cribs advantageously di'str.i'bjjte-d and planed to obtain uniform tamping.

In one particularly preferred and relatively simple and space-saving embodiment of the invention, the sleeper positioning unit is arranged with the gripping element, comprising sleeper pincers operable by a squeezing drive, on the machine frame between the two tamping units each associated with a rail, the two sleeper pincers and the paired tamping tools being arranged symmetrically in relation to a plane of symmetry extending perpendicularly of the longitudinal axis of the machine. Through this symmetrical arrangement of the sleeper pincers and the tamping units in relation to a plane of symmetry extending transversely or perpendicularly of the longitudinal axis of the machine, j 1 the centring of the sleeper pincers over the sleeper to be positioned is automatically accompanied by centring of the tamping tools to facilitate rapid tamping. Through the arrangement of the sleeper positioning unit between the-two tamping units each associated with a rail, both the sleeper pincers and also the tamping tools can clearly be seen by the machine operator in the operator's cabin.

In another particularly practical embodiment of the invention, the sleeper positioning unit is arranged in front of the tamping unit and, in particular, the lifting and lining unit in the working direction. Through the arrangement of the working units in this order, the sleeper may be tamped immediately after positioning without any change in the working direction for the sleeper tamping operation.

is In a structurally advantageous embodiment of the inven- tion, the two sleeper pincers of the gripping element are mounted together with the squeezing drive on a support which is angled in a plane extending vertically of the longitudinal axis of the machine and which is connected to a guide de- signed for vertical and transverse displacement on vertical and transverse guide posts under the power of drives. Through the angled support, the stable guide posts can be connected to the machine frame in front of the tamping unit longitudinally of the machine with no adverse effect on the tamping unit. In addition, the overhanging arrangement of the sleeper pincers provides the machine operator with an unobstructed view'of the exposed gripping element.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the ballast clearing unit is equipped with a brush which is rotatable by a drive, preferably extends over the entire width of the track and has a horiz,ontal axis of rotation extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the machine and is connected before the tamping and, optionally, lifting and lining unit in the working direction to the tool support frame of the working unit or to the machine frame 1 of the track tamping machine equipped with its own axle drive. With the brush extending over"the entire width of the track in front of the tamping unit, ballast can be stripped from the sleepers over the entire width of the-trackand planed in the sleeper cribs and any surplus ballast may be shifted into the next sleeper crib. As a result, the sleepr cribs may be uniformly filled with ballast to obtain uniform tamping of the sleeper bearing surfaces.

one particularly preferred embodiment of a machine of the type described at the beginning is characterized in that, in addition to a unit for gripping and transversely shifting or positioning a sleeper associated with the tamping unit and designed for vertical displacement under the power of a drive, the machine comprises another unit for transversely shifting a sleeper which is independent of the first positioning unit and is designed for vertical and transverse displacement under the power of drives.

With a relatively simple combination according to the invention such as this of a travelling on-track tamping machine with a positioning and transverse shifting unit, individual or even loose sleepers may now also be shifted in position relative to the track or rather moved transversely or longitudinally into the correct position before the actual tamping operation, above all with one and the same machine i I and in one and the same operation, so that there is even no need for the relatively time-consuming and expensive use of a sleeper changing machine beforehand.

In addition, with the machine according to the invention,damaged sleepers may be rapidly removed very easily and replaced in the course of tamping by new sleepers us-ing the positioning and transverse shifting unit, i.e. by one and same machine, the new sleepers being ready for tamping immediately afterwards so that the tamping operation can con- tinue, which provides for particularly rational operation. Accordingly, the entire track can be tamped, in conjunction with sleeper rehabilitation, without interruption using one and the same machine which avoids costly and extensive machine and labour deployment. At the same time, however, exact aligment - perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rails - of the new sleepers and also, advantageously, old, oblique sleepers is possible by means of the positioning unit. In this connection, it is of particular advantage that these sleepers, corrected in their position relative to the rails, can be immediately tamped and hence fixed in their exact position by the same machine, avoiding the possibility of shifting in the meantime through various movements of the machine or the like. The additional transverse shifting unit provides above all for the initial insertion requiring con- siderable force - of a new sleeper which, ultimately, is gripped by the positioning unit in the final shifting phase and brought with exact parallel alignment - into its final position in which it can be simultaneously tamped.

A surprisingly simple combination such as this of a tamping machine with a unit for gripping and transversely shifting or rather positioning sleepers is particularly suitable for finishing a sleeper replacement operation, for example as part of a sleeper changing train. The sleeper replaced beforehand, for example even by separate units, may be brought immediately before tamping into its transversely 1 and longitudinally correct final position immediately before the tamping operation. Equally, however, a damaged sleeper discovered in the course of tamping work or a sleeper which has merely shifted position through loose fastenings ma-y be removed from the track by the positioning unit and, if necessary, replaced immediately by a new sleeper inserted by the same unit before any tamping work is carried out. Accordingly, there is no longer any need for the uneconomical use of a separate sleeper changing unit, particularly where the number of damaged sleepers is relatively small. H61d by the positioning unit, the new sleeper may be tamped in the correct position by the tamping unit. Accordingly, the tamping machine according to the invention is particularly suitable for the extremely rapid and effective repair of sudden, rel- atively minor track damage, advantageously even during brief intervals betwen trains, more especially at damaged sleepers or sleep'ers which have shifted position through loose or faulty fastenings, such as spikes, screws or the like.

in one particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the other transverse shifting unit comprises a flap which is mounted on one side of the machine frame to pivot about an axis extending longitudinally of the machine and which is connected to a contact plate designed for application to the front end of a sleeper and for displacement longitudin- ally of the sleepers under the power of a displacement drive, this - pivotal flap being connected for pivoting to a hydraulic cylinder-and- piston assembly pivotally connected to the machine frame. A transverse shifting unit of this type comprising a pivotal flap is particularly simple in construction and can be moved rapidly from a raised in-transit position into the working position and vice versa. Through the longitudinally displaceable contact plate, powerful forces may readily be applied to the front end of the sleeper longitudinally thereof for rapid insertion and removal. In addition, the construction of the flap enables lateral ob- i i 1 1 stacles, such as for example overhead line posts, to be simply and quickly avoided.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the transverse shifting unit is mounted in the region of th-e tamping unit'frame and is arranged in the same transverse plane of symmetry - extending transversely of the'longitudinal axis of the machine - of two tamping units and of the positioning unit situated in between. This special association of the transverse shifting unit with the tamping units and the positioning unit provides particularly advantageously - with the centring of the tamping units over the sleeper to be tamped - for automatic centring of the additional unit for the transverse shifting or rather positioning of the sleeper to be tamped. It is thus possible to obtain a considerable increase in performance without the machine having to advance several times.

Another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that a pivotal flap with its own contact plate designed for application to one of the sleeper ends and with a hydraulic cylinder-and-piston assembly for an independent pivoting movement is provided on either longitudinal side of the machine frame. This structurally very simple two-sided arrangement of a pivotal flap provides for considerable independence from local track ob- stacles, such as platforms, overhead-line poles or the like, because - for example on the insertion of a new sleeper the sleeper may be put in either from one side of the track or from the other side of the track. In addition, it is possible with advantage to shift the old sleeper to the opposite side of the track with one of the pivotal flaps and to insert the new sleeper into the track with the other pivotal flap.

In one practical embodiment of the invention, the two pivotal flaps are arranged in one cross-sectional plane which extends perpendicularly of the longitudinal axis of the mac- hine. The arrangement of both pivotal flaps in this way 1 transversely of the longitudinal axis of the machine provides for simplified, more efficient operation because both units are simultaneously centred in the correct position, the need for repeated advance of the machine being avoided at the same time.

In another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, both the pivotal flaps arranged on opposite longitudinal sides of the machine frame are arranged symmetrically, i.e. in the same transverse plane of symmetry of the tamping units and the positioning unit. With this transversely aligning arrangement of both pivotal flaps, the positioning unit and the tamping units, all the units are automatically centred over the sleeper to be tamped in one and the same centring movement. Apart from increasing efficiency, this also provides the machine oeprator with a better view of the various movements taking place.

in another preferred embodiment of the invention, the pivotal flap is in the form of a U-shaped support frame pivotally connected to the machine frame at its free ends -through the pivot axis and comprising two guide columns extending perpendicularly of the pivot axis in the plane of the support frame, on which an intermediate frame connected to the contact plate and the longitudinal displacement drives is mounted for longitudinal displacement. This relatively simple U-shaped configuration of the support frame with an intermediate frame mounted for longitudinal displacement thereon provides for a particularly robust piovtal flap which is easily capable of withstanding the powerful forces applied. At the same time, the double pivotal connection of the support frame ensures particularly high torsional rigidity.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the hydraulic cylinder-and-piston assembly by which the flap is pivoted is in the form of a pivoting cylinder pivotally connected to the outsides of the support frame and to the i 1 machine frame, the contact plate preferably being fixed centrally to the intermediate frame and both longitudinal ends of the intermediate frame each being connected to a longitudinal displacement drive. This construction of -the hydraulic piston-and-cylinder assembly provides for problemfree pivoting of the flap into the desired position without any adverse effect on the functioning of the tamping units. The longitudinal displacement drives arranged on either side of the central contact plate enable forces to be transmitted to the contact plate without interruption and substantially free from distortion, even in the presence of high insertion resistances.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the contact plate is mounted on the intermediate frame to reverse about an axis extending longitudinally of the machine. By virtue of this reversible design, the contact plate can be turned into a position parallel to the plane of the flap for in-transit runs. In this way, the clearance profile is not exceeded and the risk of accidents and injuries to personnel is avoided.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, a vertically displaceable wedge-shaped or pointed aligning tool, more especially connected to a hydraulic cylinder drive, is provided on the transverse shifting unit, prefer- ably on the intermediate frame, for the alignment of oblique sleepers. With a combination such as this according to the invention, it is possible above all to carry out a very simple rough alignment of particularly oblique sleepers using the aligning tool in conjunction with the pivotal flap con- struction, the aligning tool through its connection to the intermediate frame - being transversely displaceable for suitable application to the side face of the oblique sleeper. This provides for even greater efficiency, in addition to which the aligning tool, by virtue of its connection to a hydraulic cylinder drive, can be extended under remote con- 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 trol for use without any troublesome effects so that a tamping machine of the type in question can be used particularly economically.

Another advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that at least two pivotal contact plates are moun ted on the intermediate frame of the pivotal flap at an average sleeper interval apart fom one another. This arrangement of several contact plates on a single pivotal flap provides for rational transverse shifting of two sleepers in a single operation through advantageous utilization of the wide support or intermediate frame. These transversely shifted sleepers may then be individually positioned by the positioning unit and tamped by the tamping units.

Finally, in another advantageous embodiment of the in- vention, for gripping and transversely shifting or rather positioning the sleepers, the positioning unit comprises positioning clamps which are designed to pivot pincer-fashion under the power of a hydraulic drive about an axis extending transversely' of the longitudinal axis of the machine and which, at their lower ends designed for application to the longitudinal side of the sleepers, are each connected to a contact plate, the contact plates extending parallel to one another transversely of the machine. By virtue of the relatively wide and robust construction of the contact plates, which are applied to the sides of the sleepers, positioning clamps constructed in this way for the positioning unit provide for substantially automatic align ment of the gripped sleeper into a desired position in which it extends transversely of the longitudinal axis of the machines or rather the rails.

Several examples of embodiment of the invention are described in detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a travelling on-track machine according to the invention for tamping the sleepers of a track comprising a sleeper positioning unit and a pre- 1 1 Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic side elevation of another embodiment of a track tamping, levelling and lining machine according to the invention comprising a tamping and lifting and lining unit and a preceding sleeper positioning unit.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of another embodiment of a machine according to the invention in the form of a working unit for incorporation in a sleeper changing machine designed for continuous (non-stop) advance comprising a tamping unit and a preceding ballast clearing unit.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the working unit shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of a track tamping, level- is ling and lining machine according to the invention with a ballast clearing unit preceding the tamping and lifting and a side elevation of a travelling-on track machine according to the invention for tamping the sleepers of a railway track comprising a positioning unit for gripping and transversely shifting or rather positioning a sleeper and another unit for transversely shifting a sleeper. Figure 8 is a plan view of the travelling on-track machine shown in Figure 7. 25 Figure 9 is a cross- section through the machine according to the invention on a large scale on the line IX-IX in Figure 7.Figure 10 is a diagrammatic plan view of a continuously advancing machine combination for the continuous, partial re- placement of the sleepers of a track,- comprising a tamping machine according to the invention with a positioning and transverse shifting unit which is designed to advance in steps, of substantially the same type as described with reference to Figures 7 to 9.

Figure 11 is a side elevation of another embodiment of a 1 i 16 - 1 track tamping machine according to the invention comprising a a track lifting and lining unit, a positioning unit for the transverse shifting or rather p'ositioning of a sleeper in the region of the two tamping units and another transverse - - shif-ting unit arranged at the front end of the machine for transversely shifting a sleeper.

The machine 1 shown in Figures 1 'and 2 for tamping the sleepers 2 of a track 3 comprises - between two on-track undercarriages 4 of a machine frame 6 with its own axle drive 5 and a driver's cabin 7 - two tamping units 9 each i i i j 1 associated with a rail 8. A sleeper positioning unit 11 formed by sleeper pincers 10 is provided between the two tamping units 9. The sleeper positioning unit 11 consists essentially of a support 12 which is connected to the sleeper pincers 10 and which is designed for vertical displacement on two vertical guide posts 13 under the power of.a drive 14. The qui de posts 13 are each mounted at their ends on a guide 15. The guide 15 is mounted for displacement on an upper and a lower horizontal guide post 16. The cylinder of the vertical displacement drive 14 is connected to the upper part of the guide 15. The sleeper pincers 10 which are fixed to the lower end of the support 12 and form a gripping element 17 are designed to be squeezed or closed by a drive 18. The tamping unit 9 comprises tamping tools 21 which are de- signed to be squeezed and vibrated by a squeezing drive 19 and a vibration drive 20 and which can be vertically displaced under the power of a driVe 22.

A ballast clearing unit 23 designed for vertical displacement along a vertical guide 25 of the machine frame 6 under the power of a vertical displacement drive 24 is provided between the left-hand undercarriage 4 and the tamping unit 9 or rather the sleeper positioning unit 11 in the longitudinal direction of the machine. All the drives of the tamping machine 1 are designed for remote control from a central control panel 26 in the driver's cabin 7.

As shown in Figure 2 in particular, the ballast clearing unit 23 comprises a brush 27 which extends over the entire width of the track 3 and which is designed to be rotated about an axis 29 extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the machine under the power of a drive 28. The sleeper positioning unit 11 is designed for displacement trans versely of the longitudinal axis of the machine under the power of a drive 30 of which the cylinder is connected to the machine frame 6 while its piston is connected to the guide 15.

The mode of operation of the tamping machine 1 will now 1 be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 and 2 taking as an example an arrangement in which the sleeper positioning unit is used as a sleeper removal and insertion u n i t When the tamping machine 1 reaches the point of use, the sleeper pincers 10 are centred over the sleeper 2 to be pulled by corresponding activation of the axle drive 5. At the same time, the sleeper positioning unit 11 is displaced by the drive 30 into an outer position (shown in dash-dot lines) opposite the sleeper removal unit represented by an arrow 31. With the sleeper pincers 10 open, the gripping element 17 is then lowered by the drive 14 and brought into form-locking engagement with the sleeper 2 to be treated by activation of the squeezing drive 18. By activation of the is drive 30, the sleeper 2 thus gripped is displaced laterally from the track 3 in the direction of the arrow 31 by the sleeper positioning unit 11 until the gripping element 17 is situated immediately beside the tamping unit 9. The sleeper pincers 10 are then opened by the squeezing drive 18 and the entire sleeper positioning unit 11 is displaced transversely back into the end position shown in dash-dot lines. After the sleeper pincers 10 have been closed, another removal operation begins by activation of the drive 30 in the direction of the arrow 31. The described removal operations are repeated until the sleeper 2 has been displaced laterally from the track 3 to such an extent that it may readily be removed by the workforce. Immediately after this sleeper removal process, a new sleeper may be inserted into the track 2 by the same sleeper positioning unit 11. The new sleeper, which may already have been deposited on the shoulder of the ballast bed or brought up by a loading wagon, is inserted'by the workforce into the gap in the ballast bed, optionally after the slight removal of ballast in the adjoining sleeper cribs, until the front end of the new sleeper can be-taken up by the sleeper pincers 10 of the sleeper 1 i 1 positioning unit 11. The rest of the sleeper insertion process is then carried out by the sleeper positioning unit 11 in the reverse sequence until the new sleeper is in its final position in the track 3. To establish an accurate sleeper position, for example where a sleeper has shifted slightly solely through a loose fastening, the sleeper merely has to be moved into the correct longitudinal and transverse position by the gripping element 17 under the power of the drive 30 and the axle drive 5.

In the next step, the drive 28 is activated, rotating the brush 27. After the ballast clearing unit 23 has been lowered onto the sleepers 2 by the vertical displacement drive 24, the track tamping machine 1 is advanced towards the new sleeper under the power of the axle drive 5. At the same time, the ballast in the sleeper cribs of the replaced sleeper is applied to the longitudinal side walls of the new sleeper and any ballast lying on the new sleeper is stripped off. While the ballast clearing unit 23 is raised, the tamping machine 1 is then moved in the opposite direction until the two tamping units 9 are centred over the new sleeper. By means of the drives 22, the two tamping units 9 are lowered into the sleeper cribs and the ballast beneath the new sleeper is consolidated by means of the squeezing drives 19. The new sleeper may be fastened to the rail 8 either before or even after tamping, more especially by driving in rail s p i k e s.

In another advantageous potential application of the tamping machine 1 according to the invention, applicable in cases where a sleeper change in particular of a group of three sleepers lying adajcent one another longitudinally of the track - has already been carried out by a corresponding machine, the new sleepers inserted only partly into the track 3 by this machine are taken up by the positioning unit 11 and inserted into their final position in the track 3.

After the ballast in the adjoining sleeper cribs has been 1 planed by the ballast clearing unit 23, the new sleepers may be immediately tamped by the tamping -units 9. Using the tamping machine 1 in this way to finish the sleeper changing operation in conjunction with the immediate tamping of -the new sleepers is of particular advantage when a relatively long section of track comprising a large number of sleeper groups is to be replaced. The actual sleeper changing operation can be carried out very quickly and without difficulty in this way by corresponding sleeper removal and insertion u n i t s.

In another advantageous application of the tamping machine 1 according to the invention, each sleeper 2 of the track 3 is tamped. In this case, it is best for already damaged or only loosely fastened sleepers 2 to be detected by a working team who loosen the corresponding rail fastenings. When the operator in the driver's cabin sees such a damaged or shifted sleeper 2, preferably identified by a coloured mark, the tamping operation is interrupted and the displaced or damaged sleeper 2 is taken up by the sleeper positioning unit 11 and is either pulled from the track 3 or immediately moved into the correct position in the manner described above. Next, either a new sleeper may immediately be inserted into the track 3 or the tamping operation may be immediately resumed. In the latter case, for example, a sec- ond tamping machine 1 constructed in accordance with the invention could follow, carrying out only the sleeper insertion process. During the tamping of the track 3 by the tamping machine 1, the ballast in the sleeper cribs may be planed by the lowered, rotating brush 27. The tamping mac- hine 1 may of course also be used solely for tamping, for example as a tandem machine behind a track tamping, levelling and lining machine.

The track tamping, levelling and lining machine 32 shown in Figure 3 comprising a machine frame 33, driver's cabins 34 at either end and on-track undercarriages 35 spaced far i 1 apart from one another is designed to travel on a track 38 formed by sleepers 36 and rails 37. A central power supply 40 is provided for supplying an axle drive 39 and the drives on the tamping machine 32. A tamping unit 43 comprisin-g squeezable and vibratable tamping tools 41 and designed for vertical displacement by a drive 42 is arranged on the machine frame 33 between the two end undercarriages 35. In the working direction indicated by an arrow 44, the tamping unit 43 is immediately preceded by a track lifting and lining unit 45 which comprises lifting and lining tools 46,47 designed for application to the rail 37 and which is verticaly displaceable by a drive 48. A levelling and lining reference system 49 is associated with the track lifting and lining unit 45. A sleeper positioning unit 50 is arranged between the central power supply 40 and the track lifting and lining unit 45, being designed for vertical displacement in a vertical guide 51 connected to the machine frame 33 under the power of a drive 52. At its lower angled end, a support 53 mounted for vertical displacement on the guide 51 comprises a gripping element 56 in the form of sleeper pincers 54 with a drive 55. The support 53 together with the gripping element 56 is designed for vertical displacement transversely of the longitudinal axis of the machine under the power of a drive 57.

A track tamping machine 32 designed in this way is particularly suitable for the economically advantageous tamping of relatively long sections of track with simultaneous levelling and lateral lining of the track by means of the track lifting and lining unit 45. When, in the course of tamping, a badly damaged or only dislodged sleeper 36 is detected by the operator in the driver's cabin 34, the sleeper in question may be corrected in its position or pulled from the track 38 by the use of the sleeper positioning unit 50 in the described manner and replaced by a new sleeper deposited beforehand on the shoulder of the ballast 1 bed or carried on board. The sleeper changing process can be facilitated by slight lifting of the rails 37 by the track lifting and lining unit 45. The corrected sleeper or the new sleeper may then be tamped by the tamping unit 43.

-In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, which is designed for use in a continuously advancing (non-stop) sleeper changing machine, each of the'two tamping units 61 comprising tamping tools 60 operable by squeezing and vibra tion drives 58,59 is in the form of a working unit 62 mounted for vertical displacement on a pole-like tool supporting frame 63. At its front pole-like end, the tool supporting frame 63, which at its rear end (in the working direction) is supported by a flanged-wheel supporting undercarriage 64 on a track 67 formed by rails 65 and sleepers 66, is connected to an upwardly recessed machine frame 69 of a continuously advancing machine 70 for partial sleeper replacement or rather track renewal for longitudinal displacement under the power of a longitudinal displacement drive 68. The tamping unit 61 is vertically displaced by means of a vert- ical displacement drive 71 pivotally connected to the tool supporting frame 63. The supporting undercarriage 64 has its own brake 72. A ballast clearing unit 73 arranged at the front end of the tool supporting frame 63 is designed for vertical displacement under the power of a vertical displace- ment drive 74.

As shown in Figure 5 in particular, the ballast clearing unit 73 comprises a brush extending transversely of the track 67 and designed for rotation about an axis 77 under the power of a drive 76. The brush 75 has tube-like clearing elements 78 arranged radially of the axis 77.

The new sleepers 66 inserted into the track 67 by pre ceding individual units connected to the machine 70 are tamped by the tamping machine 79 formed by the working unit 62 during the continuous advance of the machine frame 69.- To this end, the tamping unit 61 is lowered during the con- 23 - 1 tinuous advance of the machine 70 in the direction of the arrow shown at the top of the Figure and the sleeper bearing surfaces are tamped by squeezing together of the tamping tools 60. To this end, the entire working unit 62 is m-oved into the frontmost working position shown in solid lines under the power of the longitudinal displacement drive 68 and the tamping unit 1, which remains stationary at intervals, is centred in relation to the new sleeper 66 to be tamped. During the tamping operation, the ballast clearing unit is lowered by the drive 74 onto the sleepers of the track 67 and the brush 75 is rotated by means of the rotary drive 76. As a result, the ballast stones lying on the sleepers are cleared into the sleeper cribs before the tamping operation, the ballast in the sleeper cribs also being planed for uni- form tamping. At the end of the tamping operation, the entire working unit 62 moves forwards again in the working direction while, at the same time, the brush 75 is raised. The bal last clearing unit 73 may even remain in its lowered position throughout the continuous advance of the machine 70.

The working unit arranged in the immediate vicinity of an operator's cabin of the machine 70 (as shown on the righthand side of Figure 4) can be easily and clearly operated and controlled by its drives.

The embodiment shown in Figure 6 of a track tamping, levelling and lining machine 80 combined with a ballast clearing unit comprises a machine frame 81, driver's cabins82 and a central power supply 83 and is designed to travel on a track 87 formed by sleepers 85 and rails 86 through ontrack undercarriages 84 under the power of an axle drive 88.

30. A tamping unit 91 comprising tamping tools 89 and designed for vertical displacement by a drive 90 is connected to the machine frame 81 between the two undercarriages 84 spaced far apart from one another. A track lifting and lining unit 92 comprising lifting tools designed for application to the r.ail 86 is also provided, being designed for vertical dis- - 24 1 placement relative to the machine frame 81 under the power of a drive 93. Provided as another working unit is, in particular, a ballast clearing unit 94 preceding the tamping unit 91 and the lining unit 92 in the working direction and - comprising a rotatable brush 95. The ballast clearing unit 94 is designed for vertical displacement by a drive 96. A reference system 98 designed to be supported on the track 87 by feeler rollers 97 is associated with the track lifting and lining unit 92. In addition, a ballast cleaning machine 102 designed to travel on the track 87 through undercarriages and an axle drive 101 is shown diagrammatically and only partly in Figure 6 in front of the track tamping machine 80 inthe working direction indicated by an arrow 99. The track tamping, levelling and lining machine 80 ac- cording to the invention is particularly suitable for use immediately behind the ballast cleaning machine 102 which advances continuously while the tamping machine advances in steps from sleeper to sleeper. At the same time, the ballast still partly lying relatively unevenly on the sleepers during the ejection of ballast by the ballast cleaning machine 102 is swept into the sleeper cribs by the ballast clearing unit 94 and the ballast in the sleeper cribs is also uniformly distributed. At the same time, any surplus ballast in one sleeper crib is also transported into the next sleeper crib.

This ensures that enough ballast is present substantially uniformly in each of the sleeper cribs so that the track 87 can be uniformly and durably tamped by the following tamping unit 91.

i i i i - 25 The tamping machine 101 shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9 is designed to travel on a track forme d by rails 104 and sleepers 105 with baseplates 106 and screw fastenings 107. An axle drive 110 operable from a central power supply 109- is - provided for this purpose. A central control console 112 connected to the axle drive 110 and to all other drives by corresponding lines is accommodated in the driver's cabin 111. A tamping unit 115 designed for vertical displacement under the power of a drive 115 and comprising tamping tools 116 designed to penetrate into the ballast bed where they are squeezed together in pairs is provided - per rail - in - an upwardly recessed section of the of the machine frame 102 serving as the tamping unit frame 113.

A positioning unit 118 designed for vertical displacement i 1 - 26 1 under the power of a drive 117 is associated with the tamping units 115for gripping and transversely shifting or rather positioning a sleeper105. For gripping and transversely shift ing or rather positioning the sleepers105, the position i n 9 unit 118 comprises positioning clamps 120 designed to make a pincer-like pivoting movement about an axis extending trans versely of the longitudinal axis of the machine under the power of a hydraulic drive 119. At their lower ends designed for application to the sides of the sleepers, the positioning clamps 120 each comprise a contact plate 121, the contact plates 121 extending parallel to one another transversely of the machine. A support frame 122 for the positioning unit 118 connected to the positioning clamps120 and to the vertical dispacement drive 117 is mounted for transverse displacement on transverse guides 123 extending transversely of the lopgi tudinal axis of the machine and joined to the machine frame102.

In addition to the positioning unit118 associated with the tamping unit 115 and designed for vertical displacement under the power of the drive 117 for gripping and transversely shifting or rather positioning the sleepers105, the tamping machine 101comprises another transverse shifting unit 126 for transversely shifting the sleepers 105 which is independent of the first positioning unit 118 and which is designed for ver tical and transverse displacement under the power of drives 124, 125. This other transverse shifting unit 126 comprises a f 1 ap 128 mounted on one s i de of the mach i ne f rame 102 to p i vot about an axis 127 extending longitudinally of the machine.

The pivotal flap 128is in the form of a U-shaped support frame 129pivotally connected at its free ends to the machine frame102 through a pivot axis127 and comprising two guide columns 130 extending perpendicularly of the pivot axis 127 in the plane of the support frame. An intermediate frame132 connected to the contact plate131 and to the longitudinal displacement drive 125 is mounted for longitudinal displacement on the guide columns 130. The drive124 for pivoting the i i 1 flap 128,in the form of a hydraulic cylinder-and-piston assembly, is formed by a pivoting cylinder pivotally connected to the outsides of the support frame129 and the machine frame 102. The contact plate 131 is fixed central-ly to the intermediate frame 130 and is reversible about an axis 134 extending longitudinally of the machine. Both longitudinal ends of the intermediate frame 132 are each connected to a longitudinal displacement drive 125which, at its cylinder end, is fixed in either case to the support frame129 of the transverse shifting unit126 in the vicinity of the pivot axis 127. A vertically displaceable, substantially pointed or wedge-shaped aligning tool 136 connected to a hydraulic cylinder drive 135 is provided on the intermediate frame 132 for aligning oblique sleepers 105.

As shown in Figure 8, a pivotal flap128 is provided on each longitudinal side of the frame102 with its own contact plate 131 designed for application to one of the sleeper ends and a hydraulic piston-and-cylinder assembly124 for indepen dent pivoting. Both the pivotal flaps 128 are arranged in one cross-sectional plane extending perpendicularly of the longi tudinal axis of the machine. The two transverse shifting units 126are mounted in the region of the tamping tool frame 113and are arranged in the same transverse plane of symmetry extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the machine - of the two tamping units115 and the positioning unit118 situated in between. Whereas one of the pivotal flaps 128 is shown lowered into the working position, the op posite pivotal flap 128 is shown in its raised position for in-transit runs.

The positioning unit118 situated centrally between the two tamping units 115 is mounted for vertical displacement with its support frame 122 on two bearing blocks 138 via two vertical guide columns 137 the bearing blocks138 in turn being mounted for transverse displacement on one of the two transverse guides 123. A hydraulic transverse displacement 1 drive 139 is fixed to the upper bearing block 138 i t s pinion meshing with a transverse rack 140 machined into the transverse guide 123. The drive 117 provided for the vertical displacement of the positioning unit 118 is connected to a suspension 141 fixed to the upper bearing block 138. Each of the two tamping units 115 comprising vibration and-squeezing drives 142, 143 is connected to a tool ' carrier 144 mounted for vertical displacement on vertical guide columns145 connected to the tamping unit frame113.

Figure 9 shows very clearly the relatively wide con struction of the contact plates121 which are connected to the two positioning clamps120 and through the application of which to the side of the sleeper the sleeper is automatic ally aligned perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the is machine or rather the rail. The lower end of the vertical displacement drive 117 on the piston side is connected to a guide block146 which is mounted for vertical displacement on the two guide columns137 and to which the support frame122 of the positioning clamp 120is fixed.

The contact-plate 131 of the transverse shifting unit 126 designed for application to the sleeper end comprises a bolt 147 through which the contact plate 131 can be fixed in posi tion at an angle of 900 in relation to the plane of the support frame. The insertion of the sleeperIO5by the trans verse shifting unit126 takes place in the direction indicated by a thick arrow148.

The mode of operation of the tamping machine 101according to the invention is described in detail in the following with reference to Figures 7 to 9.

Under the power of the axle drive 110 the tamping mac hinelOlis driven to the point of use, the two pivotal flaps 128 arranged on the sides of the machine frame102being raised for the in-transit journey (see the upper pivotal flap128 in Figure 8). The contact plates 131 are pivoted about the axis 134 in the plane of the support frame so as not to exceed the ii i 1 i - 29 1 clearance profile (cf. dotted lines of the raised flap 128 in Figure g). After reaching the section of track which is to be tamped by the tamping machine 101 without any other auxiliary machines or expensive measures, the lower pivotal flap5 128 in Figure 8 is pivoted under the power of the two pivoting cylinders 133 into the working position in which the plane of the support frame 129 extends substantially parallel to the plane of the track. This pivoting movement takes place in the region of one or the other sleepers 105 which have already 10 been rendered unuseable through charring and which have already been removed by one or two labourers or even by the tamping machine itself, a new sleeper105 already having been inserted slightly into the track 108 in the same operation or in a following operation. The insertion of the new sleeper105 is is completed by the lowered pivotal flap 128 through application of the contact plate 131,which has meanwhile been brought into the right-angled working position by means of the bolt 147,to the sleeper end under the power of the two longitudinal displacement drives 125. Still under the power 20 of the two longitudinal displacement drives125 and the resulting displacement of the intermediate frame 132 along the guide columns 130, the new sleeper 105 is transversely shifted into the track108. In the event of advanced transverse displacement, that end of the new sleeper 105 situated opposite 25 the contact plate 131 can also be gripped by the two positioning clamps120 by activation of the drives 139 and 117 for transverse and vertical displacement and the drive119 for application of the positioning clamps120 to the longitudinal sides of the sleeper. Under the effect of the application 30 of the two contact plates 121 of the positioning clamps 120, the new sleeper105is automatically aligned perpendicularly of the longitudinal axis of the rail or rather the machine. Under the power of the drive 139, the new s leeper 105 can now be transversely shifted into the track 108 in the direction of the arrow 148 both by the positioning clamp 120 and also by the 1 pivotal flap 128 together until the sleeper is finally in its correct end position. In this end position, the new sleeper 105is pressed onto the underneath of the rail by the position ing clamp 120 so that the base of the rai 1 comes to rest in - the-depression provided for this purpose in the two base-.

plates106screwed to the sleeper. In the meantime, the two tamping units115 are lowered into the ballast under the power of the drives114 and the sleeper bearing surface of the new sleeper 105is consolidated by vibration and squeezing of the tamping tools 116, preferably with continued application of the sleeper to the underneath of the rails. In this way, the new sleeper105 is fixed in its correct position in re lation to the tracklOB and pressed onto the underneath of the rail, so that the position of the new sleeper105 no longer shifts fr6m the bottom edge of the rail, even after release of the positioning clamps120 and in the absence of immediate screwing to the rai I s 104.

In another possible variant of the tamping machine 101, however, it is also possible to remove the old, unuseable s 1 eepers 105 through common use of the pos i t i on i ng un i t 118 and one of the two pivotal f laps 128. To this end, the position ing unit 118 - in the embodiment shown in Figure 8 - is trans versely displaced into the outermost upper position and the old sleeper105is gripped by application of the two contact plates 121 of the positioning clamps 120 to the exposed side faces. Under the power of the transverse displacement drive 139, the old sleeper 105is then transversely shifted against the direction indicated by the arrow148. When the outermost lower position of the positioning unit118 is reached, the positioning clamps 120 are released from the sleeper 105and the entire positioning unit 118 is returned to the outermost upper position where its transverse displace ment is continued with application of the positioning clamps to the sleeper 105. When the sleeper 105has been trans versely shifted over about half its length in this way, re- 1 moval may be continued by the aligning tool 136. To this end, the tamping machinelOlis moved slightly until the align ing tool136 is situated below the half-removed sleeper 105.

By lowering of the pivotal flap128, the pointed end of-the - aligning tool 136 embeds itself in the wooden sleeper 105 whi.ch is then completely shifted transversely from the track108under the power of the two longitudinal displacement drives 125.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the sleeper follow ing the new sleeperIO5is undamaged so that it does not have to be shifted or corrected. The next sleeper105 (the penul timate sleeper from the left inFigure 8) has become detached from both rails104 as a result of constant vibration and has gradually shifted laterally to a slight extent. However, the sleeper itself is undamaged and the two baseplates106are properly fastened to the top of the sleeper. This sleeper105 is gripped by the positioning clamps 120 of the positioning unit118, the application of the two wide contact plates121 to the sides of the sleeper105providing automatically for cor rect alignment of the sleeper105 in relation to the longitu dinal axis of the track. Next, the gripped sleeper105 is transversely displaced together with the positioning unit 118 under the power of the transverse displacement drive 139 until the two baseplates106are situated exactly beneath the base of the particular rail104. During the following tamping oper ation by the two tamping units115, the aligned and trans versely displaced sleeper105is pressed onto the underneath of the rail by me.ans of the positioning clamps 120 until no further change in the position of this sleeper is possible as a result of the tamping work completed in the meantime.

In the case of the last sleeper105 in the working direc tion of the tamping machine101 in Figure 8, left-hand side, which has assumed an extremely oblique position to the track, for example as a result of uneven sleeper crib consolidation and loosening of the rail fastening screws, the sleeper is first roughly aligned by means of the aligning to01136.

Under the power of the hydraulic cylinder drive 135, the aligning to01136 is applied to the side of the sleeper in the narrowest part of the sleeper crib with the pivotal flap 128 in its lowered position (see dash- dot lines in Figure 8). Through a brief, sudden advance of the tamping machinelOI,-the sleeper end in contact with the aligning tool 136-is entrained in the working direction, the ballast situated in front of the sleeper in this region possibly being slightly shifted. Finally, the sleeperlOS is subjectedto another precision align10 ment by the positioning unit 118 through application of the two contact plates 121 of the positioning clamps 120 to the exposed sides of the sleeper105. On completion of this precision alignment, by which the sleeper is brought into its final correct position, the sleeper bearing surface is consol15 idated by the two tamping units 115. Thereafter, the incorrectly positioned sleepers105or rather the sleepers to be completely renewed are treated as described relatively quickly and with relatively little effort by the combined use of the positioning unit 118, the transverse shifting unit126 20 and the tamping units 115. The loosened screw or spike fastenings, if any, between sleeper and rail may be screwed tight or replaced by a labourer in a following operation. The second pivotal flap shown in the raised in-transit position in Figure 8 may be used as required when the opposite 25 flap 128 has to be raised, for example to avoid a track obstacle, such as for example an overhead-line pole. Oblique or loose sleeper with spike fastenings are treated in the same way as described above. FigurelO diagrammatically illustrates a small part of 30 a train150 consisting of several interconnected working vehicles arranged one behind the other for the continuous partial replacement of the sleepers of a track 151, more particularly groups of sleepers, for example groups of two sleepers, separated in each case by two or three sleepers which do not have to be replaced. A train 150of this type, i i i i 1 i 1 1 which in use advances substantially continuously in the direction indicated by an arrow 152 is described in detail in Austrian patent application 1876/87. A sleeper insertion unit155 is situated on board a last working vehicle 1545 of the train 150 comprising a bridge-like machine frame153,The vertical ly displaceable sleeper insertion unit155, which is designed for gripping and transversely shifting sleepers 156lying on the track 151, is mounted on the underneath of the bridge- like machine frame153 and designed for longitudinal 10 displacement on guides157 connected thereto. The vehicle 154 is followed at a fairly considerable distance in the working direction by a tamping machine160, for example of the type described with reference to Figures 7 to 9, which is designed to travel step-by-step on the track151 through on-track under15 carriages158 independently of and relative to the machine 150 in the direction of the arrow 159. The tamping machine 160 comprises associated with each rail 161 - vertically displaceable tamping units 162 with tamping tools 163 and, arranged between the tamping tools 163 a positioning unit 164 for grip- ping and transversely shifting or rather positioning a sleeper 156. The positioning unit 164 is of the same construction as the positioning unit shown in Figures 7 to 9 and is designed for transverse displacement on transverse guides 165 under the power of corresponding drives. A positioning clamp 166 closeable by a drive is provided for gripping and aligning or rather transversely shifting a sleeper 156.

In addition to the positioning unit 164 associated with the tamping units 162, the tamping machine 160 comprises another independent unit169 designed for vertical and transverse displacement under the power of drives 167.168 for transversely shifting a sleeper 156. In the same way as the transverse shifting unit shown in Figures 7 to 9, the unit169 comprises a pivotal flap171 mounted on one side of the machine frame 170to pivot about an axis extending long!- 1 tudinally of the machine and comprising a wide, U-shaped support frame 172 and an intermediate frame 173 displaceable longitudinally of the support frame172 and connected to the longitudinal displacement drives 167. Two pivotal contact 5 plates 174,175 are mounted on the intermediate frame173 at ?In average sleeper interval apart from one another. By means of a sleeper removal unit mounted on another, preceding working vehicle of the train 150, two adjacent sleepers 156 for example are transversely shifted or rather removed from 10 the track 151 during the continuous advance of the train 150. New sleepers are then deposited onto the rails161 in the region of the resulting sleeper gap by a sleeper depositing unit. The new sleepers are gripped by the sleeper insertion unit 155, transversely shifted and pushed slightly into the 15 track 151 in the direction indicated by a small arrow 176. During this insertion process, the sleeper insertion unit155 is displaced relative to the continuously advancing train 150. On completion of the insertion process, the entire insertion unit 155 is displaced along guides 157 into the front end pos- ition from which the next insertion process is carried out. Under the effect of the pivotal flap171 of the following machine 160, which is also designed for movement relative to the machine 150, the sleepers 156 slightly inserted in the first step by the insertion unit155 are transversely dis- placed together in a second step in which the two contact plates 174,175 are applied to the sleeper ends. To this end, the two longitudinal displacement drives167 are activated, causing the intermediate frame173 to be displaced together with the two contact plates 174,175 in the direction of the two arrows 177. During this operation, the tamping machine 160 remains stationary while the overlying bridge-like frame153 of the working vehicle 154is continuously advanced. Finally, in a third step, the rear of the two sleepers156 is first taken up by the positioning clam-ps 166 of the positioning unit164, aligned and transversely shifted into the final, 1 is correct position. The same operation is repeated as the tamping machine 160 advances briefly to the next sleeper which is also transversely shifted into and aligned in its final position. On completion of the insertion process, the - - tamping machine160 is rapidly driven under its own power into the end position shown in dash-dot lines in which the next group of two sleepers156 is inserted into the track151. When the tamping machine160 arrives at the penultimate (in the working direction), extremely oblique sleeper 156, the sleeper 156 is taken up by the positioning clamps 166 and aligned into a parallel position to the adjacent sleepers 156. Through immediate consolidation of the underlying sleeper bearing surface, this sleeper 156 with its loosened screw or spike fastenings is fixed immovably in position until the fastenings are fixed in a later operation. Accordingly, the tamping machine 160 according to the invention both completes the transverse shifting of the new sleepers 156 commenced by the sleeper insertion unit155 and also corrects the position of obliquely disposed sleepers which have not been replaced.

A track tamping, levelling and lining machine178 shown diagrammatically in Figure 11with an elongate machine frame 179 is designed to travel on a track 184 consisting of sleepers 182 and rai ls 183 under the power of an axle drive 180 in conjunction with on-track undercarriages 181. A reference system 185 is provided for the levelling and lining of the track 184 In the working direction - indicated by an arrow 186 of the tamping machine178 the driver's cabin 187 with a central control console 188 is preceded over a rail 183 by a vertically displaceable tamping unit189. The tamping unit 189 comprises tamping tools190 designed to be vibrated and squeezed under the power of vibration and squeezing drives. A positioning unit 191 for gripping and transversely shifting or rather positioning a sleeper 182 is provided centrally between the two tamping units 189. The positioning unit 191, which is designed for transverse displacement on transverse guides 192 - 36 1 and for vertical displacement under the power of drives 193, comprises an overhanging support frame194 connected to positioning clamps196 closeable under the power of a drive 195. The tamping units 189 and the positioning unit 191 are imme diately preceded by a track lifting and lining unit 199.

designed for transverse and vertical displacement-under the power of drives197,198 and comprising laterally displaceable lifting rollers 200 for gripping the track 184.

A transverse displacement unit 201 for transversely shifting sleepers 182 is fixed to the front end of the machine frame 179of this embodiment of a tamping machine according to the invention. The transverse displacement unit 201 is in the form of a flap 203 mounted on one side of the machine frame to pivot about an axis 202 extending longitudin ally of the machine. The flap is in the form of a support telescopically extendable transversely of the longitudinal axis of the machine with a contact plate 204 and an aligning tool 205 fixed thereto. The telescopic change in length takes place under the power of a longitudinal displacement drive 206. The flap 203 is reversible about the pivot axis 202 under the power of a hydraulic cylinder-and-piston assembly 207.

With a tamping machine 178such as this, the track 184 is rehabilitated in the course-of an overalltamping, levelling and lining process, including the position of the sleepers.

To this end, oblique or shifted sleepers 182, which can be directly observed by the machine operator at the end of the machine, are gripped by the positioning unitigi, aligned and brought into the correct position in which they are immedi ately fixed by means of the tamping units 189. By means of the transverse shifting unit201 arranged at the front end of the machine, sleepers which have become unuseable, such as occasionally happens, are transversely shifted from the track, after which a new sleeper lying ready can be inserted into the track in the described manner by application of the 1 1 i i i 1 i i 3 7 contact plate 204 to the end of the sleeper so that the tamping, lifting and lining of the track can be carried without interruption by the one and the same machine 178.

- 38

Claims (21)

1. A travelling on-track machine for tamping the ballast beneath the sleepers of a railway track comprising a machine frame supported by undercarriages spaced apart from one another with at least one tamping unit comprising tamping tools designed to penetrate into the ballast which are mounted on a tool carrier designed for vertical displacement under the power of a drive and which are designed for movementment relative to one another in pairs and for vibration under the power of squeezing and vibration drives, characterized in that the machine comprises a unit associated with the tamping unit. and designed for vertical displacement by a drive - for gripping and transversely shifting or positioning and/or a ballast clearing unit designed for vertical displacement by a drive for stripping the ballast from the sleepers and for feeding ballast to the tamping zones.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the vertically displaceable positioning unit is mounted on the machine frame or rather on a tool support frame for vertical and transverse displacement relative to the longitudinal axis of the machine under the power of a drive -- and'is provided with a grip ping element operable by a drive the sleeper

3. A machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the tamping unit, the sleeper positioning unit and/or the ballast clearing unit form a working unit with the associated tool drives and are mounted on their own tool support frame which is designed to travel on the track through at least one flanged-wheel sup porting undercarriage and which is connected by a longi tudinal displacement drive and, preferably, a power supply line to a preferably recessed machine frame of a working vehicle, more especially a continuously advancing i i j a sleeper for gripping 1 1 i i i i i for partial sleeper replacement or rather track renewal.

4. A machine as claimed in claim the tamping unit. the sleep and/or the ballast clearing unit machine frame one behind th the machine between the two on-trac of a track tamping machine and lining reference system lining unit

5. A machine as claimed in any o terized in that the sleeper posit with the gripping element operable by a squeezing drive between the two tamping units the two sleeper pincers tools being arranged symmetricall symmetry extending perpendicularl of the machine.

6. A machine as claiffied in any of claims 1 to 3, charac terized in that the sleeper positioning unit is arranged in front of the tamping unit and, in particular, the lifting and lining unit. in the working direction.

7. A machine as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, charac terized in that the two sleeper pincers of the grip ping element " are mounted together with the squeezing drive - -- on a support which is angled in a plane extending vertically of the longitudinal axis of the machine and which is connected to a guide designed for vertical and transverse displacement on vertical and transverse guide posts under the power of drives

8. A machine as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, charac terized in that the ballast clearing unit is equipped with a brush which is rotatable by a drive preferably extends over the entire width of the track and 1, characterized in that r positioning unitare arranged on theother longitudinally of undercarriages equipped with a levelling and a track lifting and f claims 1 to 4, charac oning unit is arranged omprising sleeper pincers, on the machine frame each associated with a rail and the paired tamping in relation to a plane of of the longitudinal axis - 40 has a horizontal axis of rotation extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the machine and is connected before the tamping and, optionally, lifting and lining unit in the working direction to the tool support frame - of the working unit or to the machine frame of the track tamping machine equipped with its own axle drive

9. A machine as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, character ized in that, in addition to a unit ' for grip ping and transversely shifting or positioning a sleeper associated with the tamping unit.

and designed for vertical displacement under the power of a drive. the machine comprises another unit for transversely shifting a sleeper which is independent of the first positioning unit and is designed for vertical and transverse displacement under the power of drives

10. A machine as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the other transverse shifting unit comprises flap which is mounted on one side of the mac hine frame to pivot about an axis extending longitudinally of the machine and which is con nected to a contact plate. designed for application to the end of a sleeper and for displacement longitudinally of the sleepers under the power of a displace ment drive this pivotal flap being connected for pivoting to a hydraulic cylinder-and piston assembly pivotally connected to the machine frame

11. A machine as claimed in claims 9 and 10, characterized in the thetransverse shifting unit ' is mounted in the region of the tamping unit frame and is arranged in the same transverse plane of symmetry - extending trans versely of the longitudinal axis of the machine - of two i i 1 i - 41 -.

tamping units situated in between.

12. A machine as claimed in claim 9, 10 or 11, characterized in that the pivotal flap with its own contact_ plate designed for application to one of the sleeper ends- and with a hydraulic cylinder-and-piston assembly for an independent pivoting movement is provided on either longitudinal side of the machine frame

13. A machine as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the two pivotal flaps are arranged in one cross sectional plane which extends perpendicularly of the longi tudinal axis of the machine.

14. A machine as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that both the pivotal flaps arranged on opposite longi tudinal sides of the machine frame are arranged symmetrically, i of the tamping and of the positioning unit e. in the same transverse plane of symmetry units a.nd the positioning unit

15. A machine as claimed in an ized in the pivotal flap shaped support frame machine frame of claims 9 to 14, character is in the form of a U pivotally connected to the at its free ends through the pivot axis and comprising two guide columns extending perpendicularly of the pivot in the plane of the support frame, on which an intermediate frame connected to the contact plate tudinal displacement drives longitudinal displacement.

16. A machine as claimed in any of claims 9 to 15, charac terized in that the hydraulic piston-and-cylinder assembly by which the flap ispivoted is in the form of a pivoting cylinder pivotally connected to the outsides of the support frame and to the machine frame 1 the contact plate preferably being fixed centrally to the intermediate frame and both longitudinal ends of and the longiis mounted for the intermediate frame tudinal displacement drive

17. A machine as claimed in any of claims 9 to 16, charac terized in that the contact plate is mounted on the intermediate frame to reverse about an axis extending longitudinally of the machine.

18. A machine as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, character ized in that a vertically displaceable wedge-shaped or pointed aligning tool a hydraulic cylinder drive verse shifting unit frame. for alignmen

19. A machine as claimed in any of claims 9 to 18, charac terized in that at least two pivotal contact plates are mounted on the intermediate frame of the pivotal flap -- at an average sleeper interval apart from one another (Figure 10).

20. A machine as claimed in any of claims 9 to 19, character ized in that, for gripping and transversely shifting or rather positioning the sleepers, the positioning unit comprises positi oning clamps which are designed to pivot pincer-fashion under the power of a hydraulic drive about an axis extending transversely of the longitudi nal axis of the machine and which, at their lower ends de signed for application to the longitudinal side of the sleepers, are each connected to a contact plate, the contact plates extending parallel to one another transversely of the machine.

21. A tamping machine substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, 3, Figures 4 and 5, Figure 6, Figures 7 to 9, Figure 10 or Figure 11 of the accompanying drawings.

each being connected to a longi- more especially connected to is provided on the transpreferably on the intermediate of oblique sleepers House. 66 -1-1 Hig'-- Hol lborn. London WC:" R 4TIP. lur--'-ez- copies may be obtained fron. _Ine Patent office, Sales Braneb, St Mary Cray, Orpingzon. Ken'. BR5 3RD. PTinted by Multiplex techniques ltd, St Maiy Cray. Kent. Con 1187.