Ballast removal process

Abstract

Old ballast is removed from under a section of railway track with a bulldozer having an elongated rake attached to its front blade. The section of railway track is first elevated. The bulldozer is then driven along the section with its rake extending under the section and at a level that causes old ballast to be swept from under the section.

1 . A process for removing old ballast from under a section of railway track, the method comprising:
 (a) obtaining a bulldozer having an elongated rake attached to its front blade, the rake extending outwardly from the side of the bulldozer;   (b) elevating a section of railway track; and   (c) driving the bulldozer along the section of elevated track with its rake extending under the section and at a level that causes old ballast to be swept from under the section.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the elongated rake is temporarily attached to the front blade of the bulldozer. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2  wherein the section of railway track is elevated by railway jacks spaced apart by about 50 to 200 feet. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 3  wherein the rake is about ten to sixteen feet in length and about one to two feet in height. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 4  additionally comprising the steps of:
 (d) lowering the section of railway track; and 
 (e) dumping and distributing new crushed rock over the section.