Method and system for extending a railway track

A method for extending rail track downstream of an end of existing track, the method comprising:

• conveying a current track panel, with a motorized lorry having rail wheels and a retracted off-track travel mechanism, on the existing track, by moving the motorized lorry near the end of the existing track, with the motorized lorry carrying connecting track, bracket-suspended at a front end of the motorized lorry, until a rear end of the connecting track lies directly above the end of the existing track;
• positioning the current track panel downstream of the existing track by deploying the off-track travel mechanism and positioning an upstream end of the current track panel directly above the end of the existing track by moving the motorized lorry downstream of the existing track by
• lowering the connecting track panel into continuation with the existing track,
• moving the motorized lorry forward on the connection track to a position where deployment of the off-track travel mechanism off the existing track is possible, and
• deploying the off-track travel mechanism;
• releasing the current track panel and removing the motorized lorry, leaving the upstream end of the current track panel directly above the end of the existing track by
• using the off-track travel mechanism to return the motorized lorry over the connecting track,
• retracting the off-track travel mechanism and putting the rail wheels of the motorized lorry into contact with the connecting track,
• moving the motorized lorry from the connecting track onto the existing track and taking hold of the connecting track,
• lifting the connecting track, and
• reversing the motorized lorry and bringing the connecting track above the existing track;
• and
• laying the current track panel by lowering the current track panel until the upstream end of the current track panel coincides with the end of the existing track.