Mobile apparatus and method for cleaning ballast supporting a track

A mobile apparatus for cleaning ballast supporting a track, which comprises a train arranged for non-stop movement on the track in an operating direction, the train including

• (a) a ballast cleaning machine comprising
• (1) a track lifting mechanism and
• (2) means for cleaning the ballast and for separating the cleaned ballast from a waste component,
• (b) a series of freight cars arranged to receive and transport the waste component,
• (c) a ballast tamping machine arranged between the ballast cleaning machine and the series of freight cars, the ballast tamping machine being arranged forwardly of the ballast cleaning machine in the operating direction and comprising
• (1) an additional track lifting mechanism and
• (2) a tamping head capable of intermittent movement along the track, and
• (d) a conveyor means for conveying the waste component from the ballast cleaning machine to respective ones of the freight cars, the conveyor means comprising
• (1) a first conveyor means section arranged to convey the waste component along the series of freight cars and
• (2) a second conveyor means section arranged on the tamping machine, the second conveyor means section having an input end adjacent the ballast cleaning machine and arranged to receive the waste component therefrom, and an output end adjacent an input end of the first conveyor means section and arranged to deliver the waste component thereto.