Method and work train for laying or renewing a railway track on slabs

Abstract

A method for laying or renewing a railway track (202) on slabs (302), the railway track (202) on slabs (302) comprising a track platform (200), pads (300) resting on the track platform (200) and slabs (302) resting on the pads (300), each of the slabs (302) comprising two opposite longitudinal end portions, at least one of the two longitudinal end portions resting on one or more intermediate pads (300) among the pads (300), on which or which also rests a longitudinal end portion of an adjacent slab (302) among the slabs (302), characterized in that it comprises a series of successive laying operations, comprising a current laying operation for laying on a current portion of the track platform (200) a current subassembly comprising a current slab (302) among the slabs (302) and a or more intermediate plots (300) common among the plots (300). (Abstract Figure: 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Method and work train for laying or renewing a railway track on slabs TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to the field of railway works trains, and more precisely to track construction trains on slabs and without ballast. STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] Ballastless railways are revolutionizing the railway sector by eliminating the traditional stone bed. This innovation optimizes efficiency, reduces maintenance costs and offers a sustainable solution. To achieve this, the ballast is replaced by a support that can be continuous, for example made of concrete cast in place, or composed of a succession of slabs, generally made of concrete, arranged end to end.

[0003] In application WO2020 / 193911, a ballastless railway section is described, consisting of prefabricated concrete track slabs, the longitudinal ends of which each rest on a pad resting on the track bed. A method for industrialized laying of such a track section has been proposed by the Scheuchzer company and is documented by the link rb.gy / zu6hd3. A railway works train allows the dismantling of a ballasted railway track, the excavation of the ballast, the compaction of the platform and then the laying of the slab system on pads in successive cycles of 18 meters. The target rate is two hours per cycle. The laying station carries out a large number of successive operations including the laying of several pads on the track bed, then the laying of several slabs on the pads, so that each pad supports two slab ends belonging to two adjacent slabs.The positioning on the platform of the pads intended to support a slab is particularly critical, to avoid shocks when laying the slab, it being specified that the mass of each slab exceeds 7 tonnes and that the installation is carried out by a rolling gantry.

[0004] In order to improve the rate, it would be possible to consider increasing the number of slab-laying workstations along the work train. However, this solution comes up against the difficulty of managing the flow of slabs and blocks on board the work train, from the wagons where they are stored before laying to the laying station. Statement of the invention

[0005] The invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of the state of the art and to propose a high-performance method for mounting and positioning a railway track on slabs and the device for its implementation.

[0006] To do this, a method of laying is proposed according to a first aspect of the invention.or renewal of a railway track on slabs, the railway track on slabs comprising a track platform, pads resting on the track platform and slabs resting on the pads, each of the slabs comprising two opposite longitudinal end portions, at least one of the two longitudinal end portions resting on one or more intermediate pads among the pads, on which also rests a longitudinal end portion of an adjacent slab among the slabs, characterized in that it comprises a series of successive laying operations, comprising a current laying operation for laying on a current portion of the track platform a current subassembly comprising a current slab among the slabs and one or more current intermediate pads among the pads, the current intermediate pad(s) resting on the current portion of the track platform,one of the two longitudinal end portions of the current slab resting simultaneously on the current intermediate pad(s), the other of the two longitudinal end portions of the current slab resting on one or more previous pads among the pads, laid on a previous portion of the track platform in a previous laying operation of the series of successive laying operations.

[0007] In the context of the present application, the word "concomitant" will be used to describe two actions which take place simultaneously, or whose sequences overlap at least partially in time. By providing for a concomitant installation of a slab and the intermediate pad(s) located at one end of this slab, the number of separate operations is limited, which makes it possible to envisage a faster rate of progress of the worksite. The risks of shocks at the time of installation of the current subassembly are also limited, which makes it possible to increase the installation rate.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the current laying operation is carried out by a lifting device which carries the current slab and the current intermediate pad(s) prepositioned under said one of the two longitudinal end portions of the current slab, preferably in contact with the current slab, and which concomitantly lowers the current intermediate pad(s) and the current slab. The prepositioning of the current pad(s) under the end of the current slab allows for time savings and greater precision during laying, it being remembered that the current slab may have a relatively high mass, of the order of 7 tonnes for example.

[0009] In certain circumstances, it is possible to envisage implementing the method using a construction crane located, for example, at the edge of the track. However, the method is more particularly suited to a situation in which the series of successive laying operations is carried out at a workstation for laying a railway works train. The parts of the railway works train which travel on a part of the construction site which does not allow rolling on the rails are equipped with rolling means. alternative, for example on tires, or preferably on tracks. This applies in particular to the part of the railway works train located above the bare track platform before the laying workstation and to that, located directly after the laying workstation, which runs on the track equipped with blocks and slabs, but without fixed rails.

[0010] The progress of the railway works train is preferably timed to the laying operation. According to one embodiment, the method comprises, between the previous laying operation and the current laying operation, a phase of moving the railway works train in a direction of travel of the railway works train, by a distance greater than or equal to the length of the current slab, preferably equal to the distance between a reference point of the previous pad(s) and a reference point of the current pad(s). Preferably, the railway works train carries out the current laying operation while stopped. For example, a stoppage time of less than 10 minutes per subassembly may be provided.

[0011] The laying method described lends itself to a repetition of the laying operation. Thus, the preceding laying operation may comprise the laying of a preceding subassembly comprising a preceding slab among the slabs and the preceding pad(s) among the pads, the preceding pad(s) resting on a portion preceding the track platform, one of the two longitudinal end portions of the preceding slab resting on the preceding pad(s), the other of the two longitudinal end portions of the preceding slab resting on one or more preceding pads among the pads.Naturally, the laying operation which begins the cycle, at one end of the track, corresponds to the laying of one or more end blocks which will only support one end of a slab, or of a specific sub-assembly composed of one or more end blocks, a slab and one or more current blocks, the architecture of the end blocks being able to differ from the current blocks, in particular by an asymmetry.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the method comprises a mechanized routing operation of the current subassembly from a storage area of ​​the railway works train to the laying work station, the mechanized routing operation preceding the current laying operation. The storage area is preferably positioned at the end of the train, to allow its continuous supply from a remote site via the slab railway.

[0013] In practice, the routing of the current subassembly is carried out by one or more mechanized routing devices, for example by one or more lifting gantries, rolling on one or more running tracks formed on the railway works train between the storage area and the laying work station and / or by one or more conveyors.

[0014] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the routing operation comprises a first routing operation and a second routing operation, the first routing operation implementing a first mechanized routing device on a first portion of the railway work train extending in the storage area and between the storage area and an exchange area, the second routing operation implementing a second mechanized routing device on a second portion of the railway work train from the exchange area to the laying work station.The buffer zone allows the first routing operation, which may be carried out over long distances and variable times depending on the distance from the storage area and the positioning of the current subassembly in the storage area, to be timed with the second routing operation, which may require a lower speed and waiting times depending on the progress of the previous laying operation. Preferably, the second mechanized routing device comprises a rolling lifting gantry which constitutes the lifting device. To the extent that the second routing operation is carried out by the lifting device which then carries out the laying operation, the exchange zone is advantageously positioned close to the laying workstation, for example on the same wagon of the railway works train or a directly adjacent wagon, so as not to lengthen the cycle time.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the method comprises at least two of the following additional operations: • an operation of stabilizing the current plot, comprising the application to the current plot or to the current slab of a stabilizing vibration, the stabilizing vibration having an energy greater than 15,000 Joules, the stabilizing vibration preferably being applied directly to the current plot(s) or to the current slab; • an operation of moving at least a portion of a rail from a preparation position along the track at the edge of the track, to a position for laying on the slabs, optionally including an operation of heat treatment of the portion of rail, bringing the portion of rail to a predetermined neutralization temperature; • an operation of positioning rail clips on the slabs and the portion of rail in the laying position, followed by an operation of closing the rail clips; • a track geometry correction operation, subsequent to the track attachment closing operation.

[0016] Preferably, each of the at least two additional operations is performed on a dedicated workstation among at least two additional workstations, distributed along the railway works train in a direction opposite to a direction of travel of the railway works train from the laying station, and located two by two at a distance which is greater than a predetermined slab length of the slabs of the railway track on slab. By distributing the additional operations over several work stations each dedicated to one of the operations, simultaneous intervention of the work stations on different sections of the track is allowed. Each time the train advances, each work station finds itself in front of a new section of the track on which the operations of the previous stations in the direction of advance of the train have already been carried out.

[0017] According to one embodiment, each of the at least two additional workstations is located between the laying workstation and the storage area. During the routing operations, the routing devices allow the subassembly(ies) to pass through or avoid the additional workstations, for example by defining a trajectory of the subassembly(ies) passing over one or other of the additional workstations. By positioning the storage area after the laying workstation and the additional workstations in the opposite direction to the direction of travel of the railway works train, the wagons forming the storage area, which have a high mass, are allowed to travel on the slab railway track which has just been completed, or which is at least in a state of completion which allows such circulation.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the method comprises a preliminary step of preparing the track platform, comprising one or more of the following operations: • An operation of deconstructing a railway track on ballast and exposing a base of the railway track on ballast; • A track bed compaction and stabilization operation; • An operation of laying a coating comprising a binder and materials of stonework on a base; • An operation of laying a covering comprising stone materials without binder on a base.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, it relates to a railway works train for laying or renewing a railway track on slabs, the railway track on slabs comprising a track platform, blocks resting on the track platform and slabs resting on the blocks, each of the slabs comprising two opposite longitudinal end portions, at least one of the two longitudinal end portions resting on one or more intermediate blocks among the blocks, on which also rests a longitudinal end portion of an adjacent slab among the slabs, characterized in that it comprises a laying work station operational for carrying out the laying concomitantly on a current portion of the track platform of one or more intermediate pads and the laying of a current slab among the slabs, one of the two longitudinal end portions of the current slab resting on the current intermediate pad(s). The train thus defined is intended in particular for carrying out the method of laying or renewing a railway track on slabs according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the train comprises an operational lifting device for carrying and lowering simultaneously the current intermediate pad(s) and the current slab. The lifting device makes it possible, if necessary, to move the subassembly in which the current slab rests on the current intermediate pad(s).

[0021] According to one embodiment, the train further comprises a storage area for subassemblies each comprising one of the slabs and one or more pads arranged under an end portion of the slab, preferably in contact with the slab, and one or more mechanized conveying devices for conveying each of the subassemblies from the storage area to the laying work station, for example by one or more lifting gantries, rolling on one or more running tracks formed on the railway works train from the storage area to the laying work station and / or by one or more conveyors. The storage area is preferably positioned on one or more wagons equipped with wheels intended to roll on the railway track on slabs.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the train comprises a first mechanized routing device on a first portion of the railway work train extending into the storage area and between the storage area and an exchange area, and a second mechanized routing device on a second portion of the railway work train between the exchange area and the laying work station. The exchange area is preferably positioned on one or more wagons of the train equipped with wheels intended to roll on the railway track on slabs.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the second mechanized conveying device comprises a rolling lifting gantry which constitutes the lifting device. The railway work train is preferably equipped with support rails of the rolling lifting gantry to connect the exchange zone to the laying work station.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the train further comprises at least two additional successive work stations, distributed successively along the railway works train in a direction opposite to a direction of travel of the railway works train from the laying station, and located two by two at a distance which is greater than a predetermined slab length of the slabs of the railway track on slab, the at least two additional successive work stations each performing an operation, and preferably only one, from among the following additional successive operations: • a device for stabilizing the pads resting on the track platform, by applying a stabilizing vibration, the stabilizing vibration having an energy greater than 15,000 Joules; • a device for moving at least a portion of a rail from a preparation position along the track at the edge of the track, to a position for laying on the slabs, optionally including a device for heat treatment of the portion of rail, to bring the portion of rail to a predetermined neutralization temperature; • a device for positioning rail fasteners on the slabs and the portion of rail in the laying position, and where applicable a device for closing the rail fasteners; • a track geometry correction device, subsequent to the track attachment closing operation.

[0025] Preferably, the at least two additional successive workstations are located between the laying workstation and the storage area. This arrangement allows the wagons in the storage area to be arranged at the end of the train, and to run on the track in a finished state allowing circulation at least at low speed with a high load. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0026] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures.

[0027] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a railway works train for laying or renewing a railway track on slabs.

[0028] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a first mechanized routing device.

[0029] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a second mechanized conveying device.

[0030] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs throughout the figures. DETAILED description of embodiments

[0031] In [Fig.l] a railway works train 10 is illustrated comprising a train head 12, a train body 14 and a train tail 16. The train head 12 is located, in the direction of travel 100 of the railway works train 10, in front of the train body 14, itself located in front of the train tail 16.

[0032] The train head 12 comprises, in its part directly adjacent to the train body 14, a chassis resting on non-railway rolling means, such as tires or motorized tracks 18, configured to run on a track platform 200 bare, that is to say not including rails or ballast.

[0033] The train head 12 may comprise a traction machine and / or one or more track bed preparation machines 200, running for example on tracks or on wheels. In an embodiment where the train head 12 carries out work to prepare the track bed 200, it may be equipped with one or more separate work stations from among the following stations: work stations configured to deconstruct a ballasted railway track, to expose a bedrock of the ballasted railway track, to compact the track bed 200, to stabilize the track bed 200, to lay a coating comprising a binder and stone-making materials on a bedrock and / or to lay a coating comprising stone-making materials without binder on a bedrock.

[0034] The train head 12 can therefore be composed of several vehicles, depending on the nature of the work to be carried out to prepare the track platform 200 to accommodate a new railway track 202 on slabs 302. The work to be carried out can include the leveling of the track platform 200, the laying of a bituminous coating, the stabilization or compaction of the track platform 200 by means of vertical vibrators, the addition of glue or binder to increase the strength of the track platform 200, the laying of geotextile, the insertion of piles to solidify the foundations, the laying of footings for the absorption of vibrations. This stage of the construction largely determines the vertical component of the future geometry of the railway track 202.Thus, the preparation of the track platform 200 can be associated with elements for measuring the altitude or inclination of the surface by sensors directly linked to the tools of the workstations, or location devices present on the tools or the workstations. The preparation of the track platform 200 can also be associated with indirect measurement with non-contact sensors such as 3D cameras or Lidar.

[0035] It is understood that the tires or tracks 18 on which the rear part of the train head 18 adjacent to the train body 16 bears must not damage the track platform 200. Tracks 18 are therefore preferred whose links are covered with an elastomeric material, as described in document WO2023 / 218064.

[0036] The railway works train 10 is intended for laying on the track platform 200 a ballastless railway track 202 which mainly comprises rails 210, fixed to slabs 302 resting on pads 300, themselves laid on the track platform 200, for example a railway track of the type described in the document WO 2020 / 193911.

[0037] The slabs 302 are composed, preferably made of concrete. A slab 302 has, depending on the model chosen, a variable length greater than 3m and less than 20m, preferably less than 10m and a width depending on the track gauge of the railway track 202, for example greater than a width of 1m and less at 3m.

[0038] The slabs 302 comprise two opposite longitudinal end portions. A first longitudinal end portion 302A is configured to rest on at least one first pad 300A, and a second longitudinal end portion 302B is configured to rest on at least one second pad 300B, the first pad 300A and the second pad 300B being spaced apart from each other. The pads 300 are configured to rest on the bare track platform 200, and support at least one slab 302 each, the first pad 300A being located, in the direction of travel 100, in front of the second pad 300B. Remarkably, each pad 300 supports one end of a slab, and one end of the immediately adjacent slab, such that each pad 300 constitutes a first pad 300A for a first slab and a second pad 300B for the date which is located immediately in front of the first slab in the direction of travel 100.

[0039] The pads 300 and the slabs 302 are stored on the railway works train 10, at the level of the train tail 16. The train tail 16 comprises a storage area 17, which is composed where appropriate of several wagons. The pads 300 and the slabs 302 are stored there in the form of assemblies, called in the remainder of this description “bridges” 304. A bridge 304 is a subassembly of the new railway track 202, formed of a slab 302 and a first pad 300A, the first pad 300A being located under the slab 302, vertically below the first longitudinal end portion 302A. Where appropriate, the longitudinal end 302A of the slab 302 in the storage area 17 rests directly on the first pad 300A. Alternatively, a wedge, for example made of wood or plastic, can be inserted between the first pad 300A and the first longitudinal end portion 302A of the slab 302, to avoid shocks during handling and transport.

[0040] Where appropriate, a first pad 300A of a bridge 304 may constitute, in the storage area 17, a second pad 300B on which the second longitudinal end portion 302B of an adjacent slab 300 rests, and vice versa. The storage area may also advantageously be adapted to have means for holding the bridges 304, for example ground attachment points, or reliefs making it possible to support slabs 302 comprising one or more pads 300 only at a single longitudinal end portion 302A, 302B.

[0041] Due to the weight of each slab 300, which is of the order of 6 tonnes, it is preferable to store the decks 304 stacked on two levels at most, in order to respect the maximum axle load of the wagons in the storage area 17.

[0042] The new railway track 202 is put in place on the track platform 200 by the train body 14 which comprises at least one vehicle, comprising one or more separate work stations necessary for the installation of the elements of the new railway track 202 on track platform 200, namely bridges 304 and rails 210.

[0043] According to the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.l], the railway works train 10 can be subdivided into a first train portion 20, an exchange zone 22 and a second train portion 24. The second train portion 24 and the exchange zone 22 are located at the level of the train body 14, while the first train portion 24 preferably extends from the exchange zone 22, located at the level of the train body 14, to a rear end of the tail of the train 16.

[0044] The first train portion 20 is configured to transport the bridges 304 from the storage area 17 to the exchange area 22. To carry out this transport of bridges 304, the first train portion 20 comprises a first mechanized transport device 26, which comprises a first rolling lifting gantry 26' running on a running track 28 on board the railway works train 10. The onboard running track 28 is configured to allow the mobility of the first mechanized transport device 26 from the exchange area 22 to the inside of the storage area 17, preferably to the end of the train tail 16' furthest from the exchange area 22.

[0045] The first rolling lifting gantry 26', illustrated schematically in [Fig. 2], comprises a gripping system 30A which makes it possible to manipulate a bridge 304 taking into account the fact that the pad 300 and the slab 302 are not integral. The gripping system 30A of the first rolling lifting gantry 26' is equipped with a motorized arrangement of cables and pulleys, a hoist for example. The cables and pulleys operate in response to instructions issued by a controller, which dictates the actions to be taken by the various actuators of the motorized arrangement of cables and pulleys. These directives are determined based on the analyzed data, transmitted to the controller by at least one sensor 32A, for example a position sensor 32A such as a Lidar.The position sensor 32A is positioned on the rolling lifting gantry 26' of the railway works train 10, and makes it possible to track the position of the bridge 304 during the movement of said bridge 304 along at least a portion of the railway works train 10. In order to increase the accuracy of the tracking of the bridge 304 by the sensor 32A, one or more sights 34 may be placed on the bridge 304 temporarily.

[0046] The second train portion 24 is located between the exchange zone 22 and a laying work station 38, and is configured to convey the bridges 304 from the storage zone 17 to the laying work station 38. To carry out this conveyance of bridges 304, the second train portion 24 comprises a second mechanized conveying device 36, which comprises a second rolling lifting gantry 36' running on rollers which rest on the on-board rails 28 on board the railway works train 10. The on-board rails 28 are configured to allow the mobility of the second mechanized conveying device 36 from the laying workstation 38 to the exchange zone 22. Advantageously, it can be provided that the on-board rails 28 extend continuously from the laying workstation 38 to the end of the train tail 16' furthest from the exchange zone 22, so that either of the two rolling lifting gantries 26', 36' can carry out its operation and that of the other of the two rolling lifting gantries 26', 36', in the event of a breakdown of one of the two rolling lifting gantries 26', 36' for example. The two rolling lifting gantries 26', 36' are therefore preferably identical. An alternative embodiment with a single lifting gantry carrying out all the conveying and laying operations is possible, but with a lower laying rate.

[0047] The second rolling lifting gantry 36', illustrated schematically in [Fig. 3], is similar to the first rolling lifting gantry 26' in that it includes the gripping system 30B which makes it possible to manipulate a bridge 304 taking into account the fact that the pad 300 and the slab 302 are not integral. The gripping system 30B of the second rolling lifting gantry 36' is equipped with a motorized arrangement of cables and pulleys, a hoist for example. The cables and pulleys operate in response to instructions issued by a controller, which dictates the actions to be taken by the various actuators of the motorized arrangement of cables and pulleys. Like the first rolling lifting gantry 26', the instructions of the controller of the second rolling lifting gantry 36' are determined based on the analyzed data, transmitted to the controller by at least one sensor 32B, for example a position sensor 32B such as a Lidar.The position sensor 32B is positioned on the rolling lifting gantry 26' of the railway works train 10, and makes it possible to monitor the position of the bridge 304 during the gripping and movement of said bridge 304 along at least part of the railway works train 10, using the sight 34 present on the bridge 304.

[0048] Preferably, the first rolling lifting gantry 26' and / or the second rolling lifting gantry 36' are configured to be able to cross an area comprising at least 2 stacked bridges 304, while transporting a bridge 304. To do this, the gripping means raise the current bridge 304 to a maximum height in order to pass above the stacked bridges 304, in the storage area 17 for example, without the bridge 304 being able to come into contact with the other two bridges 304. This makes it possible, for example, to be able to transport to the laying work station 38 specific bridges which would not be stored on the same wagons as the so-called normal bridges 304. These specific bridges may for example be curved type bridges or level crossing type bridges.

[0049] The installation workstation 38 comprises a lifting device, the lifting device being able to be fixed or being constituted by the second rolling lifting gantry 36'. The laying workstation 38 is, in this case, configured to accommodate the second rolling lifting gantry 36'. The laying workstation 38 comprises a sensor 32C, ideally a position sensor 32C such as a Lidar or a 3D camera. The sensor 32C is preferably positioned on the chassis of the railway work train 10, at the laying workstation 38, preferably vertically at the lowest possible level, for maximum accuracy.

[0050] The laying workstation 38 preferably comprises one or more actuators 40, for example motorized mechanical jacks or articulated arms, configured to carry out direct actions on the bridge 304 in order to modify its transverse and / or longitudinal position when the bridge 304 is lowered by the second rolling lifting gantry 36'. If necessary, guidance of the transverse and / or longitudinal position of the cables is made possible by pulleys 41 or rollers secured to the chassis of the train, which may if necessary be movable transversely and / or longitudinally relative to the chassis. It is understood that the purely longitudinal position of the bridge 304 may be modified by the positioning of the second rolling lifting gantry 36', in parallel or in sequence with the adjustments of the actuators 40. If necessary, the longitudinal actuators may be omitted, and replaced by fine control of the longitudinal positioning of the gantry.

[0051] The installation of the new railway track 202 by the laying workstation 38 requires that at least the second portion of train 24 travels via tracks 18 on the bridges 304 which have just been laid, in order not to damage the concrete coating of the slabs 302. It is advantageous to use a track whose links are covered with an elastomeric material, as described in document WO2023 / 218064, like the tracks 18 which carry the head of the train, in order to guarantee good distribution of the load of the second portion of train 24 as well as to avoid any possible damage to the bridges 304.

[0052] Furthermore, the train body 14 may comprise various work stations intended for operations subsequent to the installation of the bridges 304, for example a stabilization work station 44, a heat treatment work station 46 for the rails 48, a rail handling work station 48 and / or a geometry correction work station 50.

[0053] The stabilization workstation 44 is located directly after the laying workstation 38, at the level of the second train portion 24 in this embodiment.

[0054] The workstation 46 for heat treatment of the rails 48 comprises tools using induction or infrared technology, as disclosed in application WO20070168 A1 for example, and aims to bring the rails 48 to a controlled installation temperature.

[0055] The rail handling workstation 48 includes all of the tools necessary for carrying out an operation of positioning the rails 210 on the bridges 304.

[0056] The geometry correction workstation 50 may comprise a measuring carriage which is positioned on the track and which is equipped with at least one sensor, preferably an inclinometer for measuring the cant, one or more secondary actuators and one or more sights for measuring the lateral and vertical position or an optical or mechanical measuring base for the relative geometry of the track. The secondary actuators may be one or more grippers which manipulate the current bridge 304 by gripping the rails 210 or the slab 302 directly or alternatively pressurized cushions (air or oil) manually inserted between the slab 302 and one of the two pads 300 or by the means provided for this purpose by the manufacturer of the bridges 304.

[0057] The stabilization workstations 44, heat treatment workstations 46, rail handling workstations 48 and geometry correction workstations 50 are positioned along the train body 14 in this order, in order to improve the construction efficiency of the new railway 202. The exchange area 22 is located, in this embodiment, between the rail handling workstation 48 and the geometry correction workstation 50. The exchange area is preferably close to the laying workstation 38 but may be positioned, as required, at another location along the train body 14, between the laying workstation 38 and the storage area 17.

[0058] The second rolling lifting gantry 36' is configured to transport the bridges 304 above the work stations located in the second train portion 24 between the exchange zone 22 and the laying work station 38, in particular the stabilization work station 44, the heat treatment work station 46 for the rails 48, the rail handling work station 48 and / or the geometry correction work station 50.

[0059] The installation of the bridges 304 takes place in the following manner.

[0060] The first rolling lifting gantry 26' grasps, lifts and then transports the bridges 304 from the storage area 17 where the bridges 304 are stored to the exchange area 22. When the first rolling lifting gantry 26' reaches the exchange area 22, it places the bridge 304 on an exchange platform 42 located in the exchange area 22.

[0061] The second rolling lifting gantry 36' comes to grip, lift and then transport the bridges 304 from the exchange zone 22 to the laying work station 38. When the second rolling lifting gantry 36' reaches the laying work station 38, the second rolling lifting gantry 36' begins a laying operation, which consists of concomitantly lowering the pad 300 and the slab 302 making up the bridge 304, in order to deposit on the track platform 200. The sensor 32C positioned on the chassis of the railway works train 10 at the level of the laying work station 38 makes it possible to detect the difference between a theoretical position 306 of the bridge 304 and an actual position 308 of the bridge 304, this difference possibly being caused by a cant of the track platform 200 for example. The theoretical position 306 is the position in which the bridge 304 must be before coming into contact with the track platform 200. The actual position 308 is the position in which the bridge 304 is at any time during the process of lowering the bridge 304 to the level of the laying work station 38. The actuator(s) 40 then make it possible, depending on the data transmitted by the sensor 32C, to reduce the difference between the theoretical position 306 of the bridge 304 and the actual position 308 of the bridge 304, in order to perfectly position the bridge 304 on the track platform 200.This laying operation lasts 3 minutes on average, including the step of lowering the bridge 304 upon arrival of the second rolling lifting gantry 36' when it reaches the laying workstation 38 until the complete detachment of the bridge 304 by the gripping system 30B of the second rolling lifting gantry 36' on the track platform 200.

[0062] When the bridge 304 is positioned on the track platform 200, the pad(s) 300A are placed in direct contact with the material(s) making up the track platform 200 while the slab 302 is placed on the one hand, via the first longitudinal end portion 302A, on the pad(s) 300A, and on the other hand, via the second longitudinal end portion 302B, on the pad(s) 300B which are the pad(s) 300A of the preceding bridge 304.

[0063] At the end of the laying operation, the second rolling lifting gantry 36' moves again to the exchange zone 22, to begin a new cycle there. In parallel with the sequence executed by the second rolling lifting gantry 36' of transporting the bridge 304 from the exchange zone 22 to the laying work station 38, then of carrying out the laying operation, then of returning empty to the exchange zone 22, the first rolling lifting gantry 26' returns towards the tail of the train 16, loads a new bridge 304 there and transports it to the exchange platform 42 of the exchange zone 22. When the actual laying operation is implemented, the railway works train 10 is stopped. It may be stopped or in motion during the transport operations.At some point during the cycle, between the end of one laying operation and the start of the next laying operation, the train moves a distance equal to or substantially equal to the length of the slab 302.

[0064] By way of example, the laying operation has an average duration of 3 minutes, to which duration must be added approximately 1 minute of travel time of the second rolling lifting gantry 36' from the exchange zone 22 to the laying workstation 38, for a total average duration of 4 minutes per cycle, which makes it possible to lay an average of fifteen 304 bridges per hour. The target efficiency of the installation of the new railway track 202 on the platform of track 200, of 304 bridges whose slabs have a length of the order of 4.2m, is therefore 66 m / h. When the laying operation is completed, the railway works train 10 enters a phase of movement in one direction of travel of the railway works train, by a distance equal to the length of the 302 slab.

[0065] The installation of the new railway track 202 on the track platform 200 by the railway works train 10 therefore comprises a series of successive bridge-laying operations 304 by the second rolling lifting gantry 36' at the level of the laying work station 38, each current pad 304 resting partly on the track platform 200, by means of the first longitudinal end portion 302A of the current slab 302 resting on the first pad 300A, and partly on the second pad 300B, which is the first previous pad 300A of the previous bridge 304, by means of the second current longitudinal end portion 302B of the current slab 302.

[0066] In order to anticipate the movements of bridges 304 which could occur during the circulation of the first trains on the new railway track 202, an operation of stabilizing the current pad 300 is implemented by the stabilization workstation 44, and makes it possible to stabilize the pads 300 by transmitting to them stabilizing vibrations whose components are horizontal and / or vertical or a combination of the two. The vibrations have for example an energy greater than 15,000 Joules, corresponding to an average power of 100W while the train is stopped, corresponding to the duration of the exposure time.

[0067] The vibrations are transmitted directly to the pads or indirectly via the slabs 302. It is also possible, for example, to advantageously use the central part of each pad 300, being accessible between two slabs 302.

[0068] Optionally, a heat treatment operation of a rail portion 210 upstream of a rail portion 210 being fixed to the fasteners of the slabs 302 of bridges 304 is implemented following the stabilization operation of the pad 300, bringing the rail portion 210 upstream of the rail portion 210 being fixed to a predetermined neutralization temperature. This heat treatment operation can be implemented by the heat treatment work station 46. If necessary, the heat treatment work station 46 covers the length of a bridge 304 and conditions the rail portion 210 upstream of the rail portion 210 being fixed during the immobilization time of the railway works train 10 which is of the order of 3 minutes on average.

[0069] Following the stabilization operation of the plot 300 or the optional heat treatment operation, the railway works train 10 implements a handling of the rails 210, which consists of positioning the rails 210, previously arranged on either side of the track platform 200, in fasteners arranged along the slabs 302 on an upper face, in order to be fixed there. The fixing of the rails 210 on the slabs 302 consists of closing quick fasteners called “Fastclip”, re-forming or screwing a nut after assembling the elements necessary for said fixing for example. The operation of handling the rails 210 is implemented by the rail handling workstation 48.

[0070] The rails 210 are previously arranged on either side of the track platform 200 either by a ballasted track deconstruction machine, which can be connected upstream of the railway works train 10, at the level of the train head 12, or in preparation for the worksite by a ballasted track deconstruction machine not connected to the railway works train 10. In addition, the rails 210 can also be mounted on rollers in order to be free to expand during the heat treatment.

[0071] When all the previously mentioned steps have been implemented, a track geometry correction operation takes place. This track geometry correction operation is implemented by the geometry correction workstation 50 in order to finely adjust the track geometry. By finely adjust, we mean an adjustment of the order of ten millimeters.

[0072] Using the data collected by the measuring carriage or the measuring base, the secondary actuators are configured to place the new railway track 202 in the desired position. Following this operation, operators insert the necessary fixing wedges between the slab 302 and the pads 300 in order to fix the bridge in the desired position.

[0073] The storage area 17 is the longest part of the railway works train, it is therefore possible to reduce the length of the storage area 17 by organizing its replenishment from the rear of the train, while the work is in progress. It is thus possible to detach the empty wagons from this storage area 17 in order to replace them with wagons loaded with bridges 304. Alternatively, it is possible to gradually reload the empty wagons, from a loading train traveling back and forth. These resource reloading operations can take place when the railway works train is stopped during the operation of laying one of the bridges 302 on the track platform 200, and makes it possible to reduce the overall load of the train, and therefore the energy required for the train to restart every 3 minutes on average.

[0074] The operations of the different stations of the railway works train 10 are implemented concomitantly, and have a spacing corresponding to a multiple of the length of the slab 304, here 4.2m, in order to treat an area the size of the slab 302 of the bridge 304. In this way, the efficiency is improved compared to the prior art.

[0075] Naturally, the examples shown in the figures and discussed above are given for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting. It is explicitly provided that the different embodiments illustrated can be combined with each other to propose others.

[0076] According to a variant not illustrated, the first mechanized conveying device 26 may comprise the rolling lifting gantry 26' and a conveyor, or a crane and a conveyor, or a combination of the three.

[0077] According to another variant not illustrated, the bridges 304 can be stored at the storage area 17 in a separate manner. In other words, the slabs 302 would rest on other slabs 302, and the pads 300 would rest on other pads 300, without the slabs 302 and the pads 300 coming into contact in this storage area 17.

[0078] According to a variant, each longitudinal end of slab 302 is supported by two pads 300 spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction.

[0079] The installation work can begin with the installation of one or more end pads, without slab, on which the first bridge 304 will rest. Alternatively, the work can begin with the installation of a singular subassembly composed of one or more end pads and a bridge 304. The architecture of the end pads may differ from the pads 300, in particular by an asymmetry along an axis perpendicular to the railway track 202.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for laying or renewing a railway track (202) on slabs (302), the railway track (202) on slabs (302) comprising a track platform (200), pads (300) resting on the track platform (200) and slabs (302) resting on the pads (300), each of the slabs (302) comprising two opposite longitudinal end portions, at least one of the two longitudinal end portions resting on one or more intermediate pads (300) among the pads (300), on which or which also rests a longitudinal end portion of an adjacent slab (302) among the slabs (302), characterized in that it comprises a series of successive laying operations, comprising a current laying operation for laying on a current portion of the track platform (200) a current subassembly comprising a current slab (302) among the slabs (302) and one or more intermediate pads (300) common among the pads (300),the current intermediate stud(s) (300) resting on the current portion of the track platform (200), one of the two longitudinal end portions of the current slab (302) resting concomitantly on the current intermediate stud(s) (300), the other of the two longitudinal end portions of the current slab (302) resting on one or more previous studs (300) among the studs (300), placed on a previous portion of the track platform (200) in a previous laying operation of the series of successive laying operations.,

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the current laying operation is carried out by a lifting device which carries the current slab (302) and the current intermediate stud(s) (300) prepositioned under said one of the two longitudinal end portions of the current slab (302), preferably in contact with the current slab (302), and which concomitantly lowers the current intermediate stud(s) (300) and the current slab (302).

3. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the series of successive laying operations is carried out on a laying workstation (38) of a railway works train (10).

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises, between the previous laying operation and the current laying operation, a phase of moving the railway works train (10) in one direction of operation of the railway works train (10), by a distance greater than or equal to the length of the current slab (302), preferably equal to the distance between a reference point of the previous plot(s) (300) and a reference point of the current plot(s) (300).

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the railway works train (10) carries out the current laying operation while stationary.

6. Method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that it comprises an operation of mechanized routing of the current subassembly from a storage area (17) of the railway works train (10) to the laying work station (38), the mechanized routing operation preceding the current laying operation.

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the routing of the current subassembly is carried out by one or more mechanized routing devices (26), for example by one or more lifting gantries (26'), rolling on one or more running tracks formed on the railway work train between the storage area (17) and the laying work station (38) and / or by one or more conveyors.

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the routing operation comprises a first routing operation and a second routing operation, the first routing operation implementing a first mechanized routing device (26) on a first portion of the railway work train (20) (10) extending in the storage area (17) and between the storage area (17) and an exchange area (22), the second routing operation implementing a second mechanized routing device (36) on a second portion of the railway work train (24) (10) from the exchange area (22) to the laying work station (38).

9. A method according to claim 8 in combination with claim 2, characterized in that the second mechanized conveying device (36) comprises a rolling lifting gantry (36') which constitutes the lifting device.

10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two of the following additional operations: an operation of stabilizing the current plot (300), comprising the application to the current pad (300) or to the current slab (302) of a stabilizing vibration, the stabilizing vibration having an energy greater than 15,000 Joules, the stabilizing vibration preferably being applied directly to the current pad(s) (300) or to the current slab (302); - an operation of moving at least a portion of a rail (210) from a preparation position along the track at the edge of the track, to a laying position on the slabs (302), optionally including an operation of heat treatment of the rail portion (210), bringing the rail portion (210) to a predetermined neutralization temperature; - an operation of positioning rail fasteners (210) on the slabs (302) and the rail portion (210) in the laying position, followed by an operation of closing the rail fasteners (210);- an operation to correct the track geometry, subsequent to the operation of closing the track attachments.;

11. A method according to claim 10, in combination with claim 4, characterized in that each of the at least two additional operations is carried out on a dedicated workstation among at least two additional workstations, distributed along the railway work train (10) in a direction opposite to a direction of travel of the railway work train from the laying station (38), and located two by two at a distance which is greater than a predetermined slab length (302) of the slabs (302) of the railway track (202) on slab (302).

12. A method according to claim 11 in combination with any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that each of the at least two additional workstations is located between the laying workstation (38) and the storage area (17).

13. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a prior step of preparing the track platform (200), comprising one or more of the following operations: - An operation of deconstruction of a railway track (202) on ballast and of exposing a base of the railway track (202) on ballast; - An operation of compacting the track bed (200) and stabilizing; - An operation of laying a coating comprising a binder and stone materials on a base; - An operation of laying a coating comprising stone materials without binder on a base.

14. Railway works train (10) for laying or renewing a railway track (202) on slabs (302), the railway track (202) on slabs (302) comprising a track platform (200), pads (300) resting on the track platform (200) and slabs (302) resting on the pads (300), each of the slabs (302) comprising two opposite longitudinal end portions, at least one of the two longitudinal end portions resting on one or more intermediate pads (300) among the pads (300), on which also rests a longitudinal end portion of an adjacent slab (302) among the slabs (302), characterized in that it comprises a laying work station (38) operational to carry out concomitantly the laying on a current portion of the track platform (200) of one or more pads (300) intermediates and the laying of a slab (302) current among the slabs (302),one of the two longitudinal end portions of the current slab (302) resting on the current intermediate pad(s) (300).,

15. Railway works train (10) according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises an operational lifting device for carrying and lowering simultaneously the current intermediate block(s) (300) and the current slab (302).

16. Railway works train (10) according to claim 14 or claim 15, characterized in that it further comprises a storage area (17) for sub-assemblies each comprising one of the slabs (302) and one or more pads (300) arranged under an end portion of the slab (302), preferably in contact with the slab (302), and one or more mechanized conveying devices (26) for conveying each of the sub-assemblies from the storage area (17) to the laying work station (38), for example by one or more lifting gantries (26'), rolling on one or more running tracks formed on the railway works train from the storage area (17) to the laying work station (38), for example by one or more lifting gantries (26'), rolling on one or more running tracks formed on the railway works train from the storage area (17) to the laying work station (38). storage (17) to the installation workstation (38) and / or by one or more conveyors.

17. Railway works train (10) according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises a first mechanized routing device (26) on a first portion of the railway works train (20) extending in the storage area (17) and between the storage area (17) and an exchange area (22), and a second mechanized routing device (36) on a second portion of the railway works train (24) between the exchange area (22) and the laying work station (38).

18. A railway work train (10) according to claim 17 in combination with claim 15, characterized in that the second mechanized conveying device (36) comprises a rolling lifting gantry (36') which constitutes the lifting device.

19. Railway works train (10) according to one of claims 17 to 18, characterized in that it further comprises at least two additional successive work stations, distributed successively along the railway works train (10) in a direction opposite to a direction of travel of the railway works train (10) from the laying station (38), and located two by two at a distance which is greater than a predetermined slab length (302) of the slabs (302) of the railway track (202) on slab (302), the at least two additional successive work stations each performing an operation, and preferably only one, among the following additional successive operations: - a device for stabilizing the pads (300) resting on the track platform (200), by applying a stabilizing vibration, the stabilizing vibration having an energy greater than 15,000 Joules;- a device for moving at least a portion of a rail (210) from a preparation position along the track at the trackside, to a laying position on the slabs (302), optionally including a device for heat treatment of the rail portion (210), to bring the rail portion (210) to a predetermined neutralization temperature; - a device for positioning rail fasteners (210) on the slabs (302) and the rail portion (210) in the laying position, and where appropriate a device for closing the fasteners; rail (210); - a device for correcting the track geometry, subsequent to the operation of closing the track attachments.

20. Railway works train (10) according to claim 19, characterized in that the at least two additional successive work stations are located between the laying work station (38) and the storage area (17).

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