Route maintenance system and method

1 . A rail maintenance of way machine for a route, comprising:

at least one chassis configured to support one or more working modules; and

a plurality of working modules comprising:

a broom module configured to manipulate ballast and loose material that are disposed on a location adjacent to the route;

a spike supply module configured to provide a fastener;

a tie spiker module configured to receive the fastener from the spike supply module and to drive the fastener provided by the spike supply module through an aperture defined by a tie plate and into a replacement tie; and

an anchor module configured to remove an installed anchor from an installed tie and to install an anchor onto the replacement tie.

2 . The machine of claim 1 , wherein the tie plate is a first tie plate and the plurality of working modules further comprise one or more modules selected from:

a spike puller module configured to remove an installed fastener from the installed tie;

a spike reclaimer module configured to retrieve the fastener that is removed and to supply the fastener that is removed to the spike supply module;

a tie plate reclaimer module configured to selectively retrieve the first tie plate and to install a second tie plate onto the replacement tie;

a tie bed scarifier module configured to widen a channel left in the ballast because of removal of the installed tie;

a tie replacement module configured to retrieve the installed tie from ballast and to place a replacement tie into the ballast at determined intervals and orientations; and

a tie tamper module configured to tamp and level a replacement tie.

3 . The machine of claim 1 , further comprising:

a controller configured to operate, control, and coordinate all the working modules; and

a plurality of sensors configured to provide informational feedback to the controller regarding a status of implements of the working modules and a status of components of the route.

4 . The machine of claim 1 , further comprising:

a controller configured to employ machine learning in operation, control, or coordination of at least one working module.

5 . The machine of claim 1 , further comprising:

a controller configured to prevent movement of the chassis and of the working modules until receiving a signal that determined work areas are clear of obstructions.

6 . The machine of claim 1 , further comprising a propulsion system coupled to the chassis that is configured to move the machine along a track at a speed determined by a controller.

7 . The machine of claim 1 , wherein the anchor squeeze module is configured to place an anchor on a tie, so that the tie spiker module can fasten the anchor to a tie using a spike.

8 . The machine of claim 1 , further comprising a selectively configurable module having one or more attachment points that are configured to receive an implement, the implement being a remotely controllable work device.

9 . The machine of claim 8 , further comprising the implement removably coupled to the one or more attachment points.

10 . The machine of claim 8 , wherein the implement is one of an excavating scoop, a grasper claw, a saw, a tamper, a sweeper, a spike driver, a plate retriever, a welder, a sensor package, an electro-magnet, a grinder, and a blower.

11 . The machine of claim 1 , wherein both the tie spiker module and the anchor squeeze modules are configured to simultaneously operate on four or more tie spikes and/or four or more anchors, respectively.

12 . A method of rail maintenance of way for a route, comprising:

controlling plural working modules supported by a chassis to each perform, in coordination with each other, at least one action selected from:

manipulating ballast and loose material that are disposed on a location of the route adjacent to the chassis;

removing an installed anchor from an installed tie and to install an anchor onto a replacement tie;

providing a fastener to a spiker module; and

receiving the fastener and driving the fastener through an aperture defined by a tie plate and into a replacement tie.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the tie plate is a first tie plate, and controlling further comprises one or more actions selected from:

removing an installed fastener from the installed tie;

retrieving the fastener that is removed;

retrieving selectively the first tie plate and to install a second tie plate onto the replacement tie;

widening a channel in the ballast that was a result of the removal of the installed tie;

retrieving the installed tie from ballast and placing a replacement tie into the channel in the ballast that is widened; and

tamping and leveling a replacement tie.

14 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising squeezing or securing one or more anchors.

15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the method is performed without scarifying a tie bed.

16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein controlling comprises employing machine learning to modify subsequent actions of at least one of the working modules.

17 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising controlling the plural working modules supported by the chassis to each perform, in coordination with each other, one or more actions selected from:

supplying compressed air to air-driven tools;

bolting together rail segments to form the route;

ditching to remove soil from a ditch adjacent to the route;

excavating ballast from the route;

cleaning ballast that is disposed as part of the route;

cross trenching for deployment of cables and pipes;

cribbing and undercutting mainline mud spots;

grinding a surface of a rail to achieve a determined profile;

storing data relating to geographic coordinates of components used and operations conducted by the controller; and

inspecting one or more of the rail, the fastener, the tie, and the ballast.

18 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising controlling the plural working modules supported by the chassis to each perform, in coordination with each other, cleaning ballast that is disposed as part of the route, wherein cleaning ballast comprises removing one or more of ice, mud, water, sand, and soil from ballast material.

19 . A system, comprising:

a controller configured to operate and coordinate plural working modules; and

one or more chassis supporting all the plural working modules, wherein the plural working modules comprise at least four of:

a broom module configured to manipulate ballast and loose material that are disposed on a location of a route adjacent to the chassis;

a spike supply module configured to provide a fastener;

a tie spiker module configured to receive the fastener from the spike supply module and to drive the fastener provided by the spike supply module through an aperture defined by a first tie plate and into a replacement tie;

an anchor squeeze module configured to remove an installed anchor from an installed tie and to install an anchor onto the replacement tie;

a spike puller module configured to remove an installed fastener from the installed tie;

a spike reclaimer module configured to retrieve the fastener that is removed and to supply the fastener that is removed to the spike supply module;

a tie plate reclaimer module configured to selectively retrieve the first tie plate and to install a second tie plate onto the replacement tie;

a tie bed scarifier module configured to widen a channel left in the ballast because of removal of the installed tie;

a tie replacement module configured to retrieve the installed tie from ballast and to place a replacement tie into the ballast at determined intervals and orientations; and

a tie tamper module configured to tamp and level a replacement tie.

20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the plural working modules further comprise a tie spiker module configured to receive a fastener from a spike supply module and to drive the fastener provided by the spike supply module through an aperture defined by a first tie plate and into a replacement tie and an anchor squeeze module configured to remove an installed anchor from an installed tie and to install an anchor onto the replacement tie, wherein the controller is configured to control the tie spiker module and the anchor squeeze module to simultaneously operate on four or more tie spikes and/or four or more anchors, respectively.