Method of cleaning railroad track

A method of clearing a railway roadbed of loose material comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a drum with sweeper bristle elements, each sweeper bristle element further comprising:
• a solid one-piece elastomeric stem extending substantially the length of said element, said stem having an upper portion and a lower portion with a forward surface terminating with a flat end portion;
• and
• a solid one-piece elastomeric substantially planar knob with a lower flat end portion, said knob being integral with and laminated to said solid elastomeric stem, said knob attached to the forward surface of the lower portion of said stem, said flat end portion of the knob being aligned with said flat end portion of said stem, said knob forming a forward wearing and driving surface whereby said upper portion engages said element support means and rotation of said drum imparts a centrifugal force on said stem and especially said knob, causing loose material which contacts said knob to be driven away from said element;
• (b) rotating the drum over the railway roadbed to be cleared so that said forward surface contacts the loose materials;
• (c) imparting a centrifugal force on said stem and especially said knob;
• and
• (d) striking the loose material with said knob with sufficient force to cause the loose material which contacts said knob to be driven away from said element.