Patent ID: 9382669
Filing Date: 2016-07-05
CPC Classification: B61D,E01B,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A rail loading and unloading machine comprising: a rail lifting and manipulating apparatus operable to pick up a rail from a ground surface adjacent the machine; a main drive unit that receives the rail from said rail lifting and manipulating apparatus and drives the rail toward a rail transport car; a cutting station useable to cut the rail transverse to the length of the rail to form a first section of cut rail and a second section of cut rail; a drill station configured to drill a hole through adjacent ends of a first section of rail to be joined and a second section of rail to be joined; and a secondary drive unit that drives the rail toward said rail transport car, said secondary drive unit being located opposite said cutting station and said drill station from said main drive unit to enable said main drive unit to drive the first section of cut rail and said secondary drive unit to drive the second section of cut rail when the rail is cut by said cutting station and to enable said main drive unit to drive the first section of rail to be joined and said secondary drive unit to drive the second section of rail to be joined to position adjacent ends thereof at said drill station.