Multi-function railway maintenance system

Abstract

A multi-function rail maintenance system is provided for performing a sequence of rail maintenance operations on a targeted portion of a railroad track, including at least two function specific modules, each module being movable along the track and having a designated number of function-specific workheads; each module including a coupling assembly for connecting the modules together and for maintaining a specific separation distance; at least one operator cab on at least one module; and a control system on at least one module associated with the at least one operator cab, and connected to each module for controlling and coordinating operation of the workheads, and for maintaining the specific separation distance.

1 . A multi-function rail maintenance system for performing a sequence of rail maintenance operations on a targeted portion of a railroad track, comprising:
 at least two function specific modules, each module being movable along the track and having a designated number of function-specific workheads;   each module including a coupling assembly for connecting the modules together and for maintaining a specific separation distance;   at least one operator cab on at least one said module; and   a control system on at least one said module associated with said at least one operator cab, and connected to each said module for controlling and coordinating operation of said workheads, and for maintaining said specific separation distance.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further including three modules, a first, puller car, a second or exchanger car and a third, spiker car so that said system is configured for performing all maintenance operation related to the removal and replacement of a rail tie. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said function-specific workheads include workheads configured for spike pulling, anchor spreading, rail plate separation from the tie and retaining, rail tie extraction and replacement, plate setting, spike driving and anchor squeezing. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein one said module is a puller car configured for pulling spikes and spreading anchors. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said puller car includes a spike and/or anchor retriever using a magnet for collecting withdrawn spikes and anchors and storing them in an on-car collection bin. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said puller car is provided with a ballast broom, a spike puller, a spike broom, an anchor spreader and a discarded material reclaimer/retriever. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , where in one said module is an exchange car configured for gripping the tie plate and holding it against the rail, lifting the rail and tie plate, extracting the existing tie, replacing a new tie and positioning the plate beneath the rail before the rail is lowered into position. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said exchange car includes a tie exchanger mechanism, a supply of new ties and a tie handler crane. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said control system is configured for operationally coordinating said tie exchanger mechanism and said tie handler crane. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein one said module is a spiker car configured for spike driving and anchor squeezing. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said spiker car is configured for ballast tamping. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said spiker car is provided with a tamper apparatus, a spiker apparatus, a rail tie nipper, a gauger and an anchor squeezer. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each said module includes a main frame and at least one independently movable workhead frames being movable between a retracted or travel position, and a lowered or working position in operational relation to the track. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each said module is at least one of self-propelled or towable by another drive source. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said control system is constructed and arranged so that said modules are flexibly movable relative to each other in a working condition, and are fixed relative to each other in a travel condition. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said control system is configured for tracking the status of a targeted tie, including recording location, maintenance steps performed, and any steps still outstanding, and displaying said tracked status for view by an operator. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said control system is constructed and arranged for measuring the distance between the modules, and from said system to the next tie requiring a maintenance operation to be performed by the system overall, as well as by the particular modules, and once the operator initiates movement of said system, said control system automatically stops at the next optimal location. 
     
     
         18 . A rail maintenance module, comprising:
 a main frame;   a ballast broom connected to said frame;   a spike puller connected to said frame;   a spike broom connected to said frame;   an anchor spreader connected to said frame;   a discarded material retriever connected to said frame; and   at least one of said ballast broom, said spike puller, said spike broom, said anchor spreader, and said discarded material retriever being movable relative to said frame between a retracted, travel position, and a lowered operational position located closer to a track upon which maintenance is performed.   
     
     
         19 . A rail maintenance module, comprising:
 a main frame, connected to the main frame are;   a tamper apparatus;   a spiker apparatus;   a rail tie nipper;   a gauger;   an anchor squeezer; and   at least one of said tamper apparatus, said spiker apparatus, said rail tie nipper, said gauger and said anchor squeezer being movable relative to said frame between a retracted, travel position, and a lowered operational position located closer to a track upon which maintenance is performed.