Mobile apparatus for loading, transporting and laying an assembled track section

A mobile apparatus for loading, transporting and laying an assembled track section consisting of rails fastened to ties on the track bed, which comprises

• (a) a track section carrier comprising
• (1) a carrier frame elongated in the direction of the rails,
• (2) means mounted on the elongated carrier frame for gripping and holding the assembled track section,
• (3) two pairs of transversely opposite lifting jacks arranged on the carrier frame for positioning on the track bed and including drives for vertically adjusting the jacks with respect to the track bed for lifting and lowering the carrier frame, and
• (4) transverse positioning means fixedly connecting the jacks of each pair to each other, and the pairs of jacks being widely spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the rails to provide a high stability during lifting and lowering of the carrier frame, and
• (b) a self propelled auxiliary vehicle movable independently of the track section carrier, the auxiliary vehicle comprising
• (1) an elongated flatbed frame having two opposite ends spaced from each other in said direction and capable of receiving and supporting the carrier with the assembled track section gripped and held thereon, and
• (2) a track-bound undercarriage and an off-track undercarriage at each end of the flatbed frame.