Procedure for laying railway tracks

1. A procedure for laying railway tracks on a trackbed, the procedure comprising:

providing a track laying train ( 30 ) with a plurality of rails ( 1 ) to be laid in a laying area;

pulling a first pair of rails of the plurality of rails ( 1 ) from the track laying train ( 30 ) in a direction of pull;

joining the first pair of rails to a second, consecutive pair of rails of the plurality of rails ( 1 ) with a pair of tractor plates ( 200 ), each tractor plate ( 200 ) including

a support having a first part ( 210 ) and a second part ( 220 ), and

gripping elements ( 240 ), each gripping element ( 240 ) configured to slide with respect to the first and second parts ( 210 , 220 ) in a longitudinal direction so that when the gripping element ( 240 ) is moved in the direction of pull, the gripping element ( 240 ) clamps on a web ( 3 ) of a respective one of the second pair of rails;

unloading the first and second pairs of rails joined by the tractor plates ( 200 ) from the track laying train ( 30 ) onto the trackbed;

squaring a plurality of sleepers ( 20 ) on the trackbed simultaneously with a squaring device, the plurality of sleepers ( 20 ) including a front sleeper ( 21 ), a rear sleeper, and at least one intermediate sleeper between the front sleeper ( 21 ) and the rear sleeper, the squaring device including a plurality of extensible positioning elements ( 310 ) located between the front sleeper ( 21 ) and the rear sleeper, wherein:

the plurality of extensible positioning elements ( 310 ) includes a first positioning element and a second positioning element arranged at opposite ends of the plurality of sleepers,

the squaring device includes a frame ( 340 ) joined to the first and second positioning elements,

the frame ( 340 ) includes a first stop ( 360 ) having a first part ( 380 ) and a second part ( 390 ) arranged adjacent a rear side of the rear sleeper and at opposite ends of the rear sleeper,

the frame ( 340 ) includes a second stop ( 370 ) having a first part ( 380 ) and a second part ( 390 ) arranged adjacent a front side of the front sleeper ( 21 ) and at opposite ends of the front sleeper ( 21 ),

the second stop ( 370 ) is extendable away from the first stop ( 360 ); and

the first positing element, the second positioning element, and the second stop ( 370 ) are configured to extend simultaneously to square the plurality of sleepers ( 20 );

after unloading, joining the first and second pairs of rails with a pair of joint plates ( 100 ), each joint plate ( 100 ) including first and second stabilising parts ( 110 ) located on opposite longitudinal sides of a respective rail of the first and second pairs of rails, with a top internal surface ( 120 ) and a bottom internal surface ( 130 ) of each stabilising part ( 110 ) located in contact with a head ( 2 ) of the respective rail and a foot ( 3 ) of the respective rail, wherein the first and second stabilising parts ( 110 ) are tightened onto the respective rail;

unloading ballast onto the trackbed;

tamping the first and second pairs of rails;

profiling the ballast with a profiling device ( 400 ) coupled to an earthmoving machine ( 40 ); and

welding the first and second pairs of rails together.

2. The railway track laying procedure according to claim 1 , wherein pulling the first pair of rails from the track laying train ( 30 ) includes joining an end of each rail of the first pair of rails to a pulling machine ( 10 ) that moves along the trackbed.

3. The railway track laying procedure according to claim 1 , further comprising mounting an unloading tool ( 12 ) to the plurality of sleepers ( 20 ), the unloading tool ( 12 ) configured to guide the first and second pairs of rails during unloading.

4. The railway track laying procedure according to claim 1 , wherein pulling the first pair of rails includes moving the track laying train ( 30 ) along an auxiliary track ( 60 ) parallel to the trackbed while ends of the first pair of rails are joined to a fixed point on the plurality of sleepers ( 20 ).

5. The railway track laying procedure according to claim 4 , further comprising:

providing an unloading device ( 500 ) coupled to a plurality of auxiliary wagons ( 31 ) of the track laying train ( 30 ); and

guiding the first and second pairs of rails through the unloading device ( 500 ).

6. The railway track laying procedure according to claim 5 ,

wherein the unloading device ( 500 ) includes a plurality of transverse beams ( 501 ) each having first and second windows ( 502 ) configured to guide the first and second pairs of rails toward the trackbed,

wherein a first transverse beam ( 501 ) of the plurality of transverse beams ( 501 ) is fixed to a first auxiliary wagon ( 31 ) of the plurality of auxiliary wagons ( 31 ), the first and second windows ( 502 ) of the first transverse beam ( 501 ) being disposed on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the track laying train ( 30 ), and

wherein the windows of consecutive transverse beams ( 501 ) of the plurality of transverse beams ( 501 ) are positioned progressively closer to the trackbed in a direction transverse to the trackbed to guide the first and second pairs of rails toward the trackbed.

7. The railway track laying procedure according to claim 6 , wherein the plurality of transverse beams ( 501 ) includes at least one adjustable beam in which the position of the first and second windows ( 502 ) is variable longitudinally along the adjustable beam.

8. A procedure for laying railway tracks on a trackbed, the procedure comprising:

providing a track laying train ( 30 ) with a plurality of rails ( 1 ) to be laid in a laying area;

pulling a first pair of rails of the plurality of rails ( 1 ) from the track laying train ( 30 ) in a direction of pull;

joining the first pair of rails to a second, consecutive pair of rails of the plurality of rails ( 1 ) with a pair of tractor plates ( 200 ), each tractor plate ( 200 ) including

a support having a first part ( 210 ) and a second part ( 220 ), and

gripping elements ( 240 ), each gripping element ( 240 ) configured to slide with respect to the first and second parts ( 210 , 220 ) in a longitudinal direction so that when the gripping element ( 240 ) is moved in the direction of pull, the gripping element ( 240 ) clamps on a web ( 3 ) of a respective one of the second pair of rails;

unloading the first and second pairs of rails joined by the tractor plates ( 200 ) from the track laying train ( 30 ) onto the trackbed;

providing an unloading device ( 500 ) coupled to a plurality of auxiliary wagons ( 31 ) of the track laying train ( 30 );

guiding the first and second pairs of rails through the unloading device ( 500 );

squaring a plurality of sleepers ( 20 ) on the trackbed simultaneously with a squaring device, the squaring device including a plurality of extensible positioning elements ( 310 ) located between consecutive sleepers of the plurality of sleepers ( 20 );

after unloading, joining the first and second pairs of rails with a pair of joint plates ( 100 ), each joint plate ( 100 ) including first and second stabilising parts ( 110 ) located on opposite longitudinal sides of a respective rail of the first and second pairs of rails, with a top internal surface ( 120 ) and a bottom internal surface ( 130 ) of each stabilising part ( 110 ) located in contact with a head ( 2 ) of the respective rail and a foot ( 3 ) of the respective rail, wherein the first and second stabilising parts ( 110 ) are tightened onto the respective rail;

unloading ballast onto the trackbed;

tamping the first and second pairs of rails;

profiling the ballast with a profiling device ( 400 ) coupled to an earthmoving machine ( 40 ); and

welding the first and second pairs of rails together,

wherein pulling the first pair of rails includes moving the track laying train ( 30 ) along an auxiliary track ( 60 ) parallel to the trackbed while ends of the first pair of rails are joined to a fixed point on the plurality of sleepers ( 20 ),

wherein the unloading device ( 500 ) includes a plurality of transverse beams ( 501 ) each having first and second windows ( 502 ) configured to guide the first and second pairs of rails toward the trackbed,

wherein a first transverse beam ( 501 ) of the plurality of transverse beams ( 501 ) is fixed to a first auxiliary wagon ( 31 ) of the plurality of auxiliary wagons ( 31 ), the first and second windows ( 502 ) of the first transverse beam ( 501 ) being symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the track laying train ( 30 ),

wherein the windows of consecutive transverse beams ( 501 ) of the plurality of transverse beams ( 501 ) are positioned progressively closer to the trackbed in a direction transverse to the trackbed to guide the first and second pairs of rails toward the trackbed,

wherein the plurality of transverse beams ( 501 ) includes at least one adjustable beam in which the position of the first and second windows ( 502 ) is variable longitudinally along the adjustable beam, and

wherein the adjustable beam is telescopically adjustable to vary the distance between the windows ( 502 ).

9. A procedure for laying railway tracks on a trackbed, the procedure comprising:

providing a track laying train ( 30 ) with a plurality of rails ( 1 ) to be laid in a laying area;

pulling a first pair of rails of the plurality of rails ( 1 ) from the track laying train ( 30 ) in a direction of pull;

joining the first pair of rails to a second, consecutive pair of rails of the plurality of rails ( 1 ) with a pair of tractor plates ( 200 ), each tractor plate ( 200 ) including

a support having a first part ( 210 ) and a second part ( 220 ), and

gripping elements ( 240 ), each gripping element ( 240 ) configured to slide with respect to the first and second parts ( 210 , 220 ) in a longitudinal direction so that when the gripping element ( 240 ) is moved in the direction of pull, the gripping element ( 240 ) clamps on a web ( 3 ) of a respective one of the second pair of rails;

unloading the first and second pairs of rails joined by the tractor plates ( 200 ) from the track laying train ( 30 ) onto the trackbed;

providing an unloading device ( 500 ) coupled to a plurality of auxiliary wagons ( 31 ) of the track laying train ( 30 );

guiding the first and second pairs of rails through the unloading device ( 500 );

squaring a plurality of sleepers ( 20 ) on the trackbed simultaneously with a squaring device, the squaring device including a plurality of extensible positioning elements ( 310 ) located between consecutive sleepers of the plurality of sleepers ( 20 );

after unloading, joining the first and second pairs of rails with a pair of joint plates ( 100 ), each joint plate ( 100 ) including first and second stabilising parts ( 110 ) located on opposite longitudinal sides of a respective rail of the first and second pairs of rails, with a top internal surface ( 120 ) and a bottom internal surface ( 130 ) of each stabilising part ( 110 ) located in contact with a head ( 2 ) of the respective rail and a foot ( 3 ) of the respective rail, wherein the first and second stabilising parts ( 110 ) are tightened onto the respective rail;

unloading ballast onto the trackbed;

tamping the first and second pairs of rails;

profiling the ballast with a profiling device ( 400 ) coupled to an earthmoving machine ( 40 ); and

welding the first and second pairs of rails together,

wherein pulling the first pair of rails includes moving the track laying train ( 30 ) along an auxiliary track ( 60 ) parallel to the trackbed while ends of the first pair of rails are joined to a fixed point on the plurality of sleepers ( 20 ),

wherein the unloading device ( 500 ) includes a plurality of transverse beams ( 501 ) each having first and second windows ( 502 ) configured to guide the first and second pairs of rails toward the trackbed,

wherein a first transverse beam ( 501 ) of the plurality of transverse beams ( 501 ) is fixed to a first auxiliary wagon ( 31 ) of the plurality of auxiliary wagons ( 31 ), the first and second windows ( 502 ) of the first transverse beam ( 501 ) being symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the track laying train ( 30 ),

wherein the windows of consecutive transverse beams ( 501 ) of the plurality of transverse beams ( 501 ) are positioned progressively closer to the trackbed in a direction transverse to the trackbed to guide the first and second pairs of rails toward the trackbed,

wherein the plurality of transverse beams ( 501 ) includes at least one adjustable beam in which the position of the first and second windows ( 502 ) is variable longitudinally along the adjustable beam, and

wherein the first and second windows ( 502 ) on the adjustable beam are positionable at preset positions along a length of the adjustable beam to vary a distance between the windows ( 502 ).

10. The railway track laying procedure according to claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of transverse beams ( 501 ) is movable between a plurality of preset positions with respect to a vertical bar ( 503 ).

11. The railway track laying procedure according to claim 6 , wherein the first and second windows ( 502 ) are located on mountings ( 504 ) of different thicknesses such that the first and second windows ( 502 ) are positioned at different heights with respect to the transverse beam ( 501 ).

12. The railway track laying procedure according to claim 1 , wherein the first pair of rails is joined to the second pair of rails by the tractor plates ( 200 ) such that the first and second pairs of rails are positioned on opposite sides of the tractor plates ( 200 ).

13. The railway track laying procedure according to claim 1 , wherein unloading the first and second pairs of rails includes unloading the first and second pairs of rails onto the plurality of sleepers ( 20 ) or unloading the first and second pairs of rails alongside the plurality of sleepers ( 20 ).

14. The railway track laying procedure according to claim 1 , wherein gripping elements ( 240 ) are each located in an internal cavity ( 230 ) in the support;

wherein the internal cavities ( 230 ) each include an inclined surface ( 250 ) such that each internal cavity ( 230 ) reduces in depth longitudinally towards an end of the tractor plate ( 200 ), and

wherein each internal cavity ( 230 ) is configured to receive an end of a rail ( 1 ), with the gripping elements ( 240 ) and the internal cavity ( 230 ) configured in such a way that, on moving the gripping element ( 240 ) along the inclined surface ( 250 ) of the internal cavity ( 230 ) in the direction of pull, the gripping element ( 240 ) clamps onto a web ( 3 ) of the rail.

15. The railway track laying procedure according to claim 1 , wherein squaring the plurality of sleepers ( 20 ) includes

manually squaring the rear sleeper, the rear sleeper in contact with the first stop ( 360 ),

repositioning the squaring device such that the first stop ( 360 ) engages the front sleeper ( 21 ), and

after repositioning, squaring a second plurality of sleepers ( 20 ) simultaneously with the squaring device.

16. The railway track laying procedure according to claim 1 , wherein each joint plate ( 100 ) includes first and second clamping elements ( 140 ) configured to press the first and second stabilising parts ( 110 ) against the respective rail.

17. The railway track laying procedure according to claim 1 , wherein the profiling device ( 400 ) comprises:

a ballast ploughing element ( 410 ) which is symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis and which extends between the pairs of rails, the ballast ploughing element ( 410 ) including two apertures ( 460 );

a frame ( 420 ) joined to the ploughing element ( 410 ) and configured for coupling to an earthmoving machine ( 40 ); and

an extensible fixing element ( 430 ) including a first end coupled to the frame ( 420 ) and a second end coupled to the earthmoving machine ( 40 ),

wherein the profiling the ballast includes positioning the ballast ploughing element ( 410 ) such that the pairs of rails are aligned with the respective apertures ( 460 ), and moving the ballast ploughing element ( 410 ) with the earthmoving machine ( 40 ) to drag the unloaded ballast along the trackbed.