Mobile waterjet rail repair system

A translatable, high pressure liquid jet system for a rail cleaning or surface treatment operation, the system comprising:

• a translatable frame configured to maintain mechanical contact with a rail;
• a liquid jet processing head affixed to the frame and configured to maintain a distance from the rail and provide a liquid jet that contacts the rail;
• a high pressure liquid pump in fluid communication with the liquid jet processing head, the high pressure liquid pump configured to supply pressurized liquid to the liquid jet processing head;
• an abrasive feed system in fluid communication with the liquid jet processing head;
• and
• at least one nozzle for directing a jet of water and abrasive onto a portion of the rail for cleaning or treating the rail.

A method of operating a high pressure liquid jet system, the method comprising:

• positioning, relative to a rail, a translatable frame having a liquid jet processing head fluidly connected to a high pressure liquid pump;
• providing, to the liquid jet processing head, via the high pressure liquid pump, a pressurized fluid forming a liquid jet that contacts the rail;
• providing, to the liquid jet processing head, from an abrasive feed system in fluid communication with the liquid jet processing head, a jet of water and abrasive for cleaning or surface treatment of the rail;
• and
• translating the liquid jet processing head relative to the rail, thereby performing a processing operation on a linear length of the rail along a direction of translation of the rail.