Railway maintenance machine with multiple function capability

Abstract

A multiple function railway maintenance machine includes a plurality of cars connected together to form a self-propelled consist having cabs at opposite ends so that it can be driven along railway tracks to an area requiring maintenance work. The cars are provided in their beds with rails which extend between the cars continuously. A crawler type service vehicle is mounted on the rails and has a cab from which the service vehicle can be driven along the rails for precise positioning. The service vehicle has a rotatable and articulating boom that interchangeably receives different working heads.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A railway service machine comprising: 
 a rail consist including a plurality of connected cars each having a bed and wheel assemblies for traveling along railroad tracks, said consist being self-propelled and having opposite ends each equipped with a cab for driving and controlling the consist;    a pair of rails extending continuously along and between said beds of the connected cars;    a service vehicle having a frame and a plurality of wheels riding on said rails, said service vehicle being self-propelled for movement along said rails and having an operator station for driving and controlling the vehicle;    a boom extending from said vehicle and having multiple working positions controllable from said operator station; and    a plurality of interchangeable working heads each adapted for mounting on said boom and each having a different function.    
     
     
         2 . A railway service machine as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said working heads include a scoop.  
     
     
         3 . A railway service machine as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said working heads include a pivotal jaw assembly for grasping work objects.  
     
     
         4 . A railway service machine as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said working heads include a magnet.  
     
     
         5 . A railway service machine as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said working head includes a magnet.  
     
     
         6 . A railway service machine as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said working heads include a pivotal jaw assembly for grasping work objects.  
     
     
         7 . A railway service machine as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said working heads include a magnet.  
     
     
         8 . A railway service machine as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said working heads include a magnet.  
     
     
         9 . A railway service machine as set forth in  claim 1 , including a debris container in the bed of at least one car for receiving debris.  
     
     
         10 . A multi-purpose railway service machine for use on railroad tracks along which a train can travel, said machine comprising: 
 a self-propelled rail consist having a plurality of cars connected end to end and each having plural wheel assemblies for travel along the railroad tracks, said consist being constructed to be connected with and transported by a load bearing train for long distance travel along the tracks;    a pair of cabs at opposite ends of said consist from which the consist can be driven along the railroad tracks;    a pair of rails extending continuously along said cars and between adjacent cars to provide a continuous rail assembly on the consist;    a self-propelled service vehicle having a plurality of wheels riding on said rails and an operator station from which said service vehicle can be driven and controlled, said service vehicle having an elongate boom mounted to be extended, rotated and raised and lowered; and    a plurality of interchangeable working heads each adapted for mounting on said boom and each having a different function.    
     
     
         11 . A multi-purpose railway service machine for performing services such as ditching, pickup and ballasting along railroad tracks, said machine comprising: 
 a self-propelled rail consist having a pair of cars connected end to end and each having a plurality of wheel assemblies for travel along the railroad tracks, each car having a pair of generally horizontal rails thereon with the rails extending between adjacent cars to provide a continuous rail structure on the consist;    a pair of cabs at opposite ends of said consist from which the consist can be driven along the railroad tracks;    a self-propelled service vehicle having a plurality of wheels riding on said rails and an elongated boom mounted for articulating movement and for rotation about a substantially vertical axis;    a plurality of interchangeable working heads fitting interchangeably on said boom for performing different work operations; and    an operator station on said service vehicle from which said vehicle can be driven along said rails and said boom can be articulated and rotated.