System and method for sub-grade stabilization of railroad bed

A method for stabilizing subgrade and subsoil ground layers of a railroad bed underlying a railroad having rails and cross ties, the method comprising:

• providing a rail mounted vehicle, a drill mast mounted on the vehicle, the drill mast having a drill mast frame that supports first and second drill masts, the first and second drill masts supporting a pair of drills and corresponding drill heads;
• determining a location on the railroad where the subgrade or subsoil have failed causing destabilization of the ballast upon which the rails and cross ties lie;
• rotating the drill mast including the drill mast frame and first and second drill masts from a first stowed position to a second vertical operating position for drilling;
• positioning the drills over the location to a first position;
• drilling first holes by the drills into the subgrade and/or the subsoil;
• withdrawing the drills and injecting a grout mix by the drill heads as the drills are withdrawn to form corresponding first inclusions in the first drilled holes;
• moving the vehicle and repositioning the drills over the location to a second position spaced from the first position;
• drilling second holes by the drills;
• and
• withdrawing the drills and injecting the grout mix by the drill heads as the drills are withdrawn to form corresponding second inclusions in the second drilled holes.

A system for repairing a rail bed underlying a railroad having rails and cross ties, the system comprising:

• a rail mounted vehicle;
• a drill mast assembly mounted on the vehicle, the drill mast assembly having a pair of drills and corresponding drill heads mounted to said drill mast assembly between said drill masts;
• a hydraulic lift secured to said drill mast assembly to raise and lower said drill mast assembly;
• a power source for powering the drills to selectively penetrate the rail bed;
• a pump;
• a grout source wherein the pump operates to transfer the grout through a transfer line to the drill mast assembly;
• and
• wherein the drill heads inject the grout into the rail bed.

A method for stabilizing subgrade and subsoil ground layers of a railroad bed underlying a railroad having rails and cross ties, the method comprising:

• providing a rail mounted vehicle, a drill mast mounted on the vehicle, the drill mast supporting a pair of drills and corresponding drill heads;
• determining a location on the railroad where the subgrade or subsoil have failed causing destabilization of the ballast upon which the rails and cross ties lie;
• rotating the drill mast including the pair of drills and drill heads, by use of a hydraulic lift secured to the drill mast, from a first stowed position to a second vertical operating position for drilling;
• positioning the drills over the location to a first position;
• drilling first holes by the drills into the subgrade and/or the subsoil;
• withdrawing the drills and injecting a grout mix by the drill heads as the drills are withdrawn to form corresponding first inclusions in the first drilled holes;
• moving the vehicle and repositioning the drills over the location to a second position spaced from the first position;
• drilling second holes by the drills;
• and
• withdrawing the drills and injecting the grout mix by the drill heads as the drills are withdrawn to form corresponding second inclusions in the second drilled holes.