Patent Publication Number: US-3877640-A

Title: Railroad cross supports and process for maintenance of track bed

Description:
United States Patent [191 Hemmady RAILROAD CROSS SUPPORTS AND PROCESS FOR MAINTENANCE OF TRACK BED [76] Inventor: Raghuram Shripad Hemmady,  
 Satyabhama Nivas Vithalbhai Patel Rd., Bombay-4 Maharashtra, India [22] Filed: July 18, 1974 [21] Appl. No.1 489,520  
 [ Apr. 15, 1975 3,598,312 8/l97l Hamilton 238/29 Primary ExaminerLloyd L. King Assistant ExaminerRandolph A. Reese Attorney, Agent, or Firml-lammond &amp; Littell [57] ABSTRACT A cross support for a continuous rail or beam carrying moving, vibratory or other dynamic loads comprising a cross tie or sleeper adapted to be mounted on a ballast bed and having bearing areas near the top of the ballast bed bottomless troughs carrying chips and positioned so as to encompass the cross tie or sleeper adapted to feed the chips into the voids in the ballast bed when vibrated; electrically insulated elastic fasteners on each of the cross ties capable of providing permanent pressure for holding a rail or beam in an electrically insulated position on the cross tie or sleeper; as well as a process for maintaining the track bed for a railway system.  
 14 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEBAPR 1 51975 sum 2 OF RAILROAD CROSS SUPPORTS AND PROCESS FOR MAINTENANCE OF TRACK BED THE PRIOR ART The prior art practice of laying continuous beams such as rails or railway or tramway tracks, which are subjected to moving loads, is usually to support the rails on cross ties/sleepers. which are in turn rested on a ballasted bed.  
  According to the prior art practice, the main items of track maintenance consist of packing or tamping the ballast bed after raising and slewing the rails to a higher level or off to the side.  
  The cross ties or tie sleepers are usually made of wood, cast iron, steel reinforced or pre-stressed con crete or the like. The rails are secured to the cross ties/- sleepers by means of rail spikes. bolts, keys or elastic fasteners and the like. whereby the gauge between the rails is maintained throughout. Also the restraint against relative longitudinal or cross-wise movement between the rails and the cross tie/sleeper is afforded by the fastening device in varying degree depending upon the type in use. As for the tamping of ballast, manual packing of the stone ballast under the sleeper with beater strokes is one of the oldest methods and is still prevalent in many parts of the world. Vibratory tamping machines are used in some countries for tamping the ballast. In a few other countries a system known as measured shovel packing&#34; or MSP&#34; is also in use.  
  The prior art track maintenance methods in use and also the prior art engineering design of track compo nents have been evolved from traditional practice and they are improvements over their earlier practices and counterparts. However they suffer severly on account of their inherent drawbacks. These result in (a) the ballast bed below the ties/sleepers not being uniformly level and uniform in the degree of consolidation; and (b) in the running over the track, not being uniformly level or smooth. resulting in rough riding and in the progressively rapid deterioration in the running quality over the track. thereby requiring frequent attention to tracks on the one hand and a rapid wearing out and deterioration of the materials of the track on the other. Vibratory machine tamping has eliminated human labor and has brought about a higher degree of uniformity in the condition of ballast but even this has been found not to be up to the requisite standard. Moreover, machine tamping requires the track being occupied for long periods of time during which no traffic can use the track. thus placing a constraint on train running operations.  
  The trend in railway development is taking place in two distinct directions. Firstly in respect of freight traffic increasingly heavier axle loads are being adopted in order to reduce the working costs as well as operating costs and which loading consequently results in the rail track being subjected to heavier duty. In the prior art track practices in current use, the tracks have been found not to be standing up to the increasingly heavy axle loads. Secondly, with respect to passenger services. the trend is towards higher speeds. which in turn calls for a high degree of uniformity and evenness in the rail track&#39;surface. The present track practices do not come up to the requisite standard. Furthermore, the increasing deterioration of quality of rail track surfaces necessitates greater frequency of attention requiring occupation oftrack for longer durations, particularly in the case of machine tamping, which becomes increasingly difficult with rising traffic densities. The requirements of modern developments in railway operation have shown up prominently the inherent shortcomings of the present day track practices even in the most advanced countries. Today technologists the world over are in search of a technique of track design and maintenance which will result in affording a uniform and smooth running on track surface that will furthermore be sustained without attention for long periods. The absence of a satisfactory system of track maintenance constitutes one of the most serious problems threatening to thwart railway development.  
  In the known prior art types of track laying methods, track maintenance methods, and ballast maintenance methods, there is a heavy ballast deterioration and ballast erosion occurring as a result of track pumping with the moving loads moving on the track.  
  As an answer to these problems, the study in depth of the various functions of the various components that comprise the rail track and the action and interaction of the several loads and disturbing effects has led to the evolution of this invention which seeks to overcome the various disadvantages and defects in the existing known types of the engineering design of track and track maintenance methods as discussed above. Intensive research is at the back of the evolution of this invention which proceeds from the fundamentals of theory and which seeks to provide the ultimate solution to one the most serious problems in track work and maintenance,  
 OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The principal object of this invention is to take maximum advantage of the moving wheel loads and to utilize this load to obtaining automatic tamping of ballast bed by providing four bottomless troughs on outside and inside of rails and with each of said troughs carrying stone chips, gravels, pebbles or the like which automatically gravitate therefrom to fill the gaps if any, formed between the cross tie/sleeper and the ballast bed; the activations of the chips, pebbles and the like being caused by the vibrations of dynamic loads to fill the gaps, if any, formed between the cross tie/sleeper and the ballast bed and at the same time tamping of the ballast bed being caused by the weight of the loads moving on the said rail track.  
  Another object of the present invention is an improvement in the evolution of the maintenance techniques and the concomitant engineering design of the components comprising the tie, the chips/pebbles, trough and the fastener which take full cognizance and maximum advantage of the various actions and interactions taking place between the formation or subgrade, the rail track and the moving wheel loads, which, inter alia, reduce the initial and operating costs, the overall track maintenance time, the labor and money to the absolute minimum, and at the same time make it possible to maintain rail track surface to a high degree of uniformity thus affording smooth and comfortable riding of rail surface and slowing down the deterioration of the material from which the track, the rolling stock, and the like is constructed. These and other factors contribute to a very large extent in reducing the overall costs of renewal of materials and the consumption of fuels.  
  An additional object of this invention is to prevent track pumping and ballast erosion by providing an improved permatie&#34; cross tie/sleeper and also to provide a permapack&#34; method of track maintenance.  
  It is further object of the present invention to provide a cross support for a continuous rail or beam carrying moving, vibratory or other dynamic loads comprising permatie&#34; cross tie or sleeper adapted to be mounted on a ballast bed and having bearing areas near the top of the ballast bed; bottomless troughs carrying stone chips and the like, and positioned so as to encompass said cross tie or sleeper adjacent to said bearing areas and adapted to feed said stone chips and the like into the ballast bed when vibrated; electrically insulated elastic fasteners on each of said permaties capable of providing permanent pressure for holding a rail or beam is an electrically insulated position on said cross tie or sleeper; as well as a process for maintaining the track bed for a railway system.  
  These and further objects of the present invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds.  
 THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be described by reference to the following drawings which are not to be deemed limitative in any manner thereof:  
  FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of rails attached to a cross tie or sleeper which remains inclined at an slight angle to the horizontal ballast bed;  
  FIG. 2 shows a front elevation ofa cross tie or sleeper when resting on a ballast bed;  
  FIG. 3 shows a partial top view of a cross tie or sleeper taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;  
  FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the end portion of a cross tie or sleeper taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;  
  FIG. 5 shows a cross-section view of a substantial filled trough positioned over a cross tie or sleeper taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1;  
  FIG. 6 shows a partial cross-section view of a rail secured to a cross tie or sleeper by fasteners;  
  FIG. 7 shows a cross-section view of a fastener along line 77 of FIG. 6;  
  FIG. 8 shows a top isometric view of a trough adapted to fit over a cross tie or sleeper;  
 FIG. 9 shows an isometric view of a .l-bolt;  
  FIG. 10 shows a cross-section view ofa partially emptied trough of FIG. 5;  
 DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to improvements in or relating to cross supports for continuous beams and the like carrying moving, or vibratory, or other dynamic loads, and the method of maintenance of such cross supports.  
  Generally speaking, this invention relates to engineering design of cross members or cross ties for continuous beams carrying moving or vibratory or other dynamic loads, and forming foundation beds for supporting machine tools, hydraulic presses and/or cross ties or cross sleepers which support rails carrying wheel loads as in the case of railway, tramways, and the like. This invention also relates to a fastening device for fastening machine tool bases, rails or continuous beams or the like to the cross supports, cross ties of cross sleepers and also to the technique or method of maintenance of such supports, cross ties or cross sleepers in particular and the rail track system as a whole. Definitions: In the specification the following expressions wherever appearing are intended to means and include the description which follows:  
 tie&#39; or sleeper are synonyms and are used to indicate the supporting cross beams or cross sleepers on which the rail rests and to which the rail is also fastened. The expressions a longitudinal tie or longitudinal sleeper may also be used. Thus the expression cross tie&#34; or tie/sleeper&#34; wherever used is intended to cover and include the longitudinal tie/sleeper or cross tie/sleeper or any other form of rail supports.  
 Fastener The expression fastener is intended to mean and include an elastic fastener or elastic fastening used for securing the rail to the cross tie&#34; or cross sleeper&#34;.  
 Trough The expression trough&#34; is intended to mean and include a rectangular shaped four sided bottomless tray fitted on a cross tie&#34; or cross sleeper&#34; and is adapted to hold stone chips, gravel, or pebbles or the like.  
 Permapack&#34; The method according to this invention of packing stone chips, gravel, or pebbles or the like to form a ballast bed.  
 Permatie A cross tie or sleeper according to this invention from tee section or a channel section with a horizontal ribbed flange providing a bearing surface at the top or near the top of ballast bed.  
 Permagrip&#34; An electrically insulated elastic rail fastener according to this invention for securing a rail to permatie&#34; cross tie or sleeper or to any other suitable type of tie.  
 More particularly the present invention is directed to a cross support for a continuous rail or beam carrying moving, vibratory or other dynamic loads comprising a cross tie or sleeper adapted to be mounted on a ballast bed and having rail support areas adapted to support a rail or beam; bottomless troughs carrying stone chips and the like and position so as to encompass said cross tie or sleeper adjacent to said rail support areas and adapted to feed said stone chips into the gaps in the ballast bed when vibrated; electrically insulated elastic fasteners on each of said rail support areas capable of providing permanent pressure for holding a rail or beam in an electrically insulated position on said cross tie or sleeper.  
  Furthermore the present invention more particularly provides a process for maintaining the foundation bed for supporting a cross support which in turn supports the rail or beam carrying moving, vibratory or other dynamic loads providing a zone containing stone chips and the like on either side of said rail or beam, said zone being slightly elevated above the said ballast surface and encompassing said cross support; and activating said ballast material to flow downward into the gaps between said cross support and said ballast section by the movement of said moving vibratory or dynamic load acting upon said rail or beam.  
  With these and other objects in view the invention is characterized in that it consists of a combination (I) method of packing chips, gravel or pebbles or the like to form a ballast bed referred to as permapack method consisting of positioning stone chips, pebbles or the like of predetermined suitable sizes in such a manner that they automatically gravitate and flow into the gaps below the tie/sleeper while being activated by the very moving or vibratory loads or other dynamic loads or moving wheel loads traveling on the beams or rails.  
  II. A cross tie/sleeper referred to as permatie formed from the tee section or a channel section with the horizontal ribbed flanges providing a bearing surface at the top or near the top of the ballast bed. The web or webs of said flange are provided with a pair or pairs of baffle plates on either side of the cross tie/sleeper preferably just below the rail position supported on said cross tie/- sleeper to afford anchorage and greater lateral resistance to the track, and the flange as well as the web or webs thereof being provided with suitable bolt holes for fixing thereto .I-bolts or other type bolts for holding railfasteners and lugs to keep in position said railfastener on one or both sides of rail position supported on the said cross tie/sleeper. Moreover the cross tie/- sleeper is given suitable bends to afford the desired upwardly inclined elevation, usually a slight elevation, at the ends of the rails. At the center portion thereof. there is an acordian-like contraction with elevation of the centerline of the device so as to prevent center binding of cross tie/sleeper in the middle.  
  lll. An electrically insulated elastic fastener device referred to as a permagrip fastener consists of a clamp made from mild steel or spring steel formed by bending a flat or channel or any other structural section to form a C-shaped clamp, the free ends of which being extended outwardly to form extension arms, each carrying a hole registering with one another. The said clamp is adapted to receive therebetween one or more similarly shaped leaf springs suitably housed inside one another for further reinforcement. Extension arms of each of said leaf springs are provided with a hole adapted to register with one another and each other and the gap formed between the extension arms of said clamp being filled with an insulated sandwich block carrying a hole in its center and aligning with the corresponding holes formed in the extension arms of said leaf springs and the clamp proper for a ,l-bolt or other type bolt fitted to cross tie/sleeper to pass therethrough. The lower of said extension arms of said clamp is provided with a pivotally mounted rectangular or square shaped shoe plate carrying an insulating sandwich sole pad adapted to rest on the rail foot for exerting the requisite toe load on the rail foot.  
  IV. Four rectangular shaped bottomless troughs, each carrying a pair of transverse panels forming support members for the trough for resting on the flange of the cross tie/sleeper and longitudinal panels thereof overhanging the said flange of the cross tie/sleeper. Each of said troughs is adapted to carry stones, chips, gravel, pebbles or the like of smaller dimenions than those normally forming the ballast bed. Each one of said troughs is adapted to be fitted on either side of each rail or the said cross tie/sleeper. With this arrangement there is the advantage that the stone chips, gravel, pebbles or the like, loaded in each of said troughs, flow or gravitate through corresponding openings formed between the flange of cross tie/sleeper and the overhanging side panels of the trough. Furthermore vibrations or dynamic loads or moving wheel loads traveling on the said rail or continuous beams automatically activate the said stone chips. gravel or the like and cause the gaps, if any, formed in the ballast bed to get filled with said stone chips, gravel pebbles or the like. Each of said troughs is secured in position to the flange of the cross tie/sleeper by means of suitable lugs or the like.  
  According to another embodiment of this invention the permanent precision packing technique hereinafter referred to as the permapack method relies on the phenomenon that it is only the heavy weight of the moving loads that brings about the actual consolidation of the ballast bed. This method according to this invention is therefore, based on the fact that in order to bring about uniformity of surface and uniform degree of consolidation of ballast bed, what is absolutely necessary is to fill in the gaps which normally and frequently occur under the cross tie/sleeper. The method is also based on the fact that in achieving a high order of smoothness of running surface, it is not only necessary to ensure proper cross levels and the minimum amount of twist, but also vital that in the longitudinal direction the characteristics of sleeper/tie support are uniform from tie to tie. In this method, the filling up of the gaps fully and accurately is to be achieved by providing a trough of square or rectangular shape open at top and bottom and filled with stone chips, gravel, pebbles or the like. The rest of the trough being formed by transverse panels forming support members for supporting said trough on the Tee-section flange forming the cross/tie sleeper. The side plates of the trough overhanging and remaining parallel to the top flange of cross tie/sleeper form guides for positioning for automatic discharge of and filling of gaps if any, formed between the cross tie/- sleeper and the ballast bed by the said stone chips, gravel pebbles and the like.  
  According to yet another embodiment of this invention the size of the filler material for the ballast bed or foundation bed, such as stone chips, or pebbles, to be used initially for forming a ballast bed are initially comparatively large in the region of greater than 6 to 10 mm. These are followed by chips of intermediate sizes between 3 and 6 mm and finally the sizes of chips may, in certain cases, be relatively small in size from less than 3 down to 2 mm. The troughs provided on either side of each of said cross tie/sleeper are to be periodically filled with stone chips for filling the gaps formed in the ballast bed by the moving loads traveling on the rails supported on the said cross tie/sleeper. This sys tem brings about a well graded and dense mix of the ballast and consequently imparts a high co-efficient of elasticity to the ballast bed, so desirable for a uniform running surface of rail tracks and the like.  
  According to still another embodiment of this invention, the Tee-section or a similar section forming the cross tie/sleeper referred to as permatie is evolved and is based on the fact that the dispersal of load through the ballast bed over the top of the subgrade is best achieved when the point of transmission of pressure from the rail to the cross tie/sleeper is located at the highest possible level in the ballast section-which is sought to be achieved in the case of Tee, or similar cross sectional steel cross tie/sleeper referred to as permable, where the flange on the T is the horizontal bearing area and is near the top of the ballast. The Tee section has the advantages in that it is about the simplest and cheapest to manufacture, to handle and to lay; and it is also the strongest for withstanding the damaging effects of any derailed wheels and can easily be reconditioned even after some damage. It has the longest service life and functionally it offers longitudinal and lateral resistance of a very high order of magnitude, a quality which is so vital to the stability and satisfactory behaviour of long welded rails adopted in modern railway or railroad tracks. Furthermore, the permatie lends itself admirably to the technique of the permapack method described hereinbefore of forming the uniform ballast bed. Another advantage is that it is convenient to locate the trough just above the horizontal top flange within easy sight and access for purposes of observation. feeding of stone chips and other attention.  
  According to yet another embodiment of this invention the inclined flange area which bears on the ballast bed and that too over a narrow width thwarts any tendency for track pumping. The provision of two, three or more ribs on either side of said baffle plates in spaced and parallel relationship with each other and welded to the flange at the bearing area can further eliminate to a large extent any such tendency of track pumping as distinct from the existing prior art types of ties/sleepers wherein the phenomenon of track pumping has been a major source of difficulty in track maintenance.  
  According to yet another embodiment of this invention the length of the permatie cross tie/sleeper depends on the gauge of the railway or tramway. It can be the same as the length of cross tie/sleepers already in use, a suitable length at each end of the cross tie/- sleeper being bent upwards to correspond to the desired slanting of the rail. This slanting of the cross tie/- sleeper ends towards the rails induces in any derailed wheel a tendency to hug the rails and thus mitigates against any dropping of wheels outside the cross tie/- sleeper ends and its serious consequences. Furthermore, the center of the cross tie/sleeper is desirably nudged upwards to prevent the same from resting deep on the ballast bed and thus to prevent center binding giving a see-saw effect. Suitable holes are provided in the web and flange of the permatie cross tie/sleeper to suit the location of .I-bolts or other type of bolts required for fastening the rails to the cross tie/sleeper by means of permagrip elastic fasteners, according to this invention. The section dimensions of the cross tie/- sleeper can vary within a wide range depending on the size of rail, the gauge, the axle loads and like factors. The web of said cross tie/sleeper is provided with baffle plates on either side of the web at right angle thereof to provided anchorage against lateral movement of the rails and thereby affording heavy lateral track resistance, while the web of the cross tie/sleeper itself offers a heavy longitudinal resistance. Each of said baffle plates is preferably of the same width as that of the flange of the cross tie/sleeper and preferably located below the rail position resting on said cross tie/sleeper. although these baffle plates may also be provided at any other convenient position along the length of said web of the cross tie/sleeper.  
  A high load carrying capacity and permanency of the pressure obtained by elasticity of the pressure transmitting media are essential features needed in a good fastener for fastening cross tie/sleeper to the rail a feature which is so vital in the case of rail track formed by welded rails. The elastic fastener hereinafter referred to as permagrip fastener according to this invention embodies these qualities in a superior manner. Besides these advantages. it also provides insulation against electrical conduction and against transmission of shock and vibrations between the cross tie/sleeper and the rail, which are also the requirements of the modern electrically signalled and high speed and heavy duty rail track respectively. Moreover, location of the bolt near the rail foot makes willful tampering with rail track difficult and of least consequence. It is also possible to adjust the rail gauge within fine limits, and also to fix the holding down pressure accurately to a pre-determined value.  
  The permagrip fastener according to this invention is made of mild steel or spring steel or a combination of both. The section can be either a plain strip of a structural profile of U-section, C-section or omega section having its side webs bent outwardly to form extension lips. Alternatively the fastener clamp could be made from a mild steel channel section bent to form omega section in shape with its free ends extended outwardly to form extension arms carrying a registered hole through which a rail bolt is adapted to pass. Similarly shaped leaf springs each carrying a registered hole in its extension arms are fitted within the said clamp to further reinforce and provide desired elasticity for the fastener. To the bottom extension arm of said clamp is provided a pivotally mounted shoe carrying an insulating sole adapted to rest on the upper surface of rail foot and the gap formed in said two extension arms of the clamp and the leaf springs is closed by means of an insulating sandwich pad providing a high load bearing capacity.  
  The use ofa sandwich pad of compressible material. such as rubber or a pad formed by interleaved layers of rubber and cord or like synthetic or natural compressible material, as a pad fitted between the two extension arms of the fastener clamp or the fastener itself enables heavy loads to be carried without straining the steel beyond the desired limited. The provision of a pivotally mounted shoe pad also made from sheet metal hinged to the lower of the extension arms of said fastener itself bears fully on the upper surface of the rail foot no matter what the deflection and load on the fastener proper may be. The said shoe pad is further insulated by means of an interleaved sandwich sole also made from the same or similar material as the said sandwich pad, and this also provides electrical insulation, and the desired capacity to absorb vibrations and shocks and to prevent the same from being transferred by the rail to the fastener proper and vice versa.  
  The rail foot is also provided with a rail pad underneath made from interleaved layers of rubber and cord or other compressible material so as to form a cushion between the flange of cross tie/sleeper and the rail foot, thereby insulating the rail from conduction of electricity and from vibrations and shocks.  
  Thus this invention as referred to a permatrak relates to (i) the technique of rail track maintenance referred to as permapack, (ii) the engineering design of a permatie cross tie/sleeper, (iii) the permagrip fastener, (iv) the apparatus for automatically and precisely filling the gaps formed between ballast bed and the cross tie/sleeper, (v) permatie cross tie/sleeper, (vi) the provision for electrical insulation between the rail and the fastener provides technologically the long sought after satisfactory solution to the one of most serious problems of track maintenance in the context of the increasingly heavy axle loads, increasing speeds, with the least amount of time and labor required for track maintenance. Moreover this invention also seeks to bring about vast reductions in the working expenses and renewal costs.  
  It is to be understood that any of the components described and claimed herein can be used independently or collectively on existing tracks and it is not necessary to alter the entire track structure to derive the benefits resulting from the invention.  
  The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts. In FIGS. 1 and 2 the permatie cross tie/sleeper 2 is formed from a Tee-section having a flange 3 and a web 4 for said flange formed in the bottom center of said flange 3. One free end 5 of said Tee-section extending along one plane is bent at 6 and is extended upwardly to form a V&#39;in shape; and the midportion of said extension is bent upwards at 7 to form an inverted V-shape in the middle. The extension is bent at 8 and is extended upwardly along one plane to form the other free end 9 to form another V-in shape. Said cross tie/sleeper in its front elevation substantially resembles a wide angle W in shape when seen from the flange end 3 as shown in FIG. 2. Elements 10 are baffle plates welded to or otherwise formed integral with the web 4 on either side thereof and preferably below the rail position to afford anchorage and greater lateral resistance to the track. A series of two, three or more ribs 11 are welded to or otherwise formed integral with the underside of the flange 3 on either side of said baffles 11 respectively in spaced and parallel relationship with each other to counteract the phenomenon of track pumping. The flange 3 as well as the web 4 are provided with suitable bolt holes 12 on the flange and 13 on the web for fixing thereto .I-type bolts 14 (shown in FIG. 9) for holding the rail fastener on one or both sides of rail position supported to said permatie cross tie/sleeper.  
  The trough 1 is shown in FIGS. 1. 5, 8 and 10 for automatic feeding of ballast such as stone chips. gravel and the like is adapted to be fitted to the flange 3 of permatie cross tie/sleeper 2 on either side of rail position adjacent the permagrip elastic rail fastener shown in FIG. 6. Troughs I are placed over rectangular free ends 5 and 9 respectively of said cross tie/sleeper 2 (particularly as shown in FIG. 1). Each trough 1 consists of a rectangular shaped bottomless tray with transverse vertical plates resting on the flange of the cross tie/sleeper and the two side walls thereof are extended downwards to form extension members 15 forming a guide for holding and automatically dropping the stone pebbles, chips or gravel loaded in said trough into the gaps formed between the ballast bed and the permatie cross tie/sleeper 2 as a result of the vibration and shocks transmitted to the cross tie/sleeper from the moving wheel loads on the rails mounted on said permatie cross ties/sleepers 2.  
  The permagrip fasteners 16 (particularly as shown in FIG. 6) consists of casing 17 formed by bending a channel or omega shaped channel or the like to resemble a C in shape. The free ends of this fastener are extended along one plane to form upper and lower extension arms 18 and 19 in parallel relationship with one another and carrying a registered hole 20 through which a J-type bolt 14 is adapted to pass. Said channel section has lateral extension lips 21 formed on either side of said section. Said casing 17 is adapted to receive there between one or more similarly shaped leaf springs 32, 33. and 34 and with each carrying a hole 20 in its respective extension arms and registering with each other so that said bolt 14 can pass therethrough. The lower extension arm 19 is provided with a pivotally mounted shoe pad or plate 22 mounted on one or two pivots 23. In another embodiment (not shown) shoe plate 22 is much wider than that shown in FIG. 6 has a hole in its center so as to fit within the gap formed between the opening formed in said permagrip elastic fastener 16 between said two extension arms 18 and 19 in such a manner that this hole is registered with the said register hole 20 formed in the staggered leaf springs and the two extension arms 18 and 19 so that a bolt 14 can be passed therethrough for securing the permagrip fastener 16 to a permatie cross tie/sleeper 2. The said shoe pad 22 is also provided with an electrically insulated sole 24.  
  The following describes the manner in which the permatie cross tie/sleeper 2 is laid and maintained according to this invention, on the ballast bed.  
  The ballast bed 25 is first prepared in a conventional manner with broken stone or other ballast. Then a series of permatie cross tie/sleeprs 2 are laid in such a way that the bent webs 4 rest on the ballast bed in spaced and parallel relationship with one another and laid in such a way that the webs 4 rest on the ballast bed. Then a pair of rails 26 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 are laid longitudinally on a supporting sandwich pad 27 rested on flange 3. Then the permagrip elastic rail fastener is fitted to the J-type bolt 14 so that the shoe plate 22 with the attached insulating sole 24 rest on the upper surface of foot 28 of rail 26. This combination is secured thereto by means of a nut 29 fitted to said rail bolt 14. and the toe load on the rail 26 is then finely adjusted by tightening or loosening the nut 29 on rail bolt 14 so as to give the desired pressure. The permatie cross tie/sleeper are packed underneath to the desired level with the normal size stone ballast. Then a pair of troughs 1--1 are placed on the web 3 of each of said series of permatie cross tie/sleepers 2 on the outside and inside of each of said rails 26 mounted on said permatie cross tie/sleeper 2. The troughs are mounted outside the permagrip elastic rail fastener 16 and each of said troughs is filled with stone chips and/or ballast. initially with larger and later with smaller sizes with each successive loading of said troughs. This enables the gaps formed between the ballast bed and the permatie cross tie/sleepers 2, under moving traffic wheel loads to be automatically filled with ballast from each of said troughs l, which ballast is dropped via the openings formed on either side of the overhanging sides of said troughs 1. The arrangement is such that the rails 26 laid on permatie cross tie/sleeper are positioned at an angle inclined to the horizontal line formed by the ballast bed (particularly as shown in FIG. 1). According to this invention whenever levels of rail go out and require readjustment, the rail which is low is jacked up and the chips/pebbles and the like induced to work in to the gap below the permatie by tapping the trough, by piercing the mass of chips or pebbles and the like with a wire/spoke and/or similar means; and finally automatic packing with the chips or gravel takes place due to the moving traffic loads on the said rails.  
  According to this invention the permagrip elastic rail fasteners 16 may be fitted alternately on the rails at the rate of one per rail seat instead of two thereby effecting saving in costs of the fasteners without jeopardizing the stiffness of the track assembly and the anchorage against rail creep.  
  According to an embodiment of invention, when the ballast bed is new, the stone chips or gravel 30 packed in the troughs 1 are initially larger in sizes. With the moving wheel loads of the trains moving on the rails and with the consequent vibrations caused to the permatie sleepers the stone chips or gravel are induced to drop via the openings formed between the two overhanging side panels 15 and the flange 3 of said permatie cross tie/sleeper to fill the gaps formed in said ballast bed. Once these gaps have been filled. further tamping of the ballast bed is done automatically by the vibrations transmitted by the permatie cross tie/sleeper caused by the moving loads of trains moving on the rails supported on these permatie cross ties/sleepers. Initially these troughs preferably should be inspected and filled to the top with stone chips or gravel at intervals of between 3 days to 7 days. FIG. shows a cross section view of a substantially filled trough positioned over a cross tie/sleeper. FIG. 10 shows a cross-section view of a partially emptied trough. Thereafter filing to the top of the troughs may be carried out at intervals of 3-4 weeks and the size of stone chips or gravel and the amount thereof reduced progressively. Thereafter the ballast bed will settle down; and periodical toppingup of the troughs may have to be done at intervals of 6 months. At this time the size of stone chips or gravel can be further reduced. Thereafter it will be found that generally there is no further looseness in the ballast bed to cause any gaps in the ballast bed. This bed is substantially settled down and the level of stone chips or gravel in the said troughs remains almost constant. Thus automatic filling of the ballast bed is then obtained by the permapak mathod of track maintenance.  
  According to one embodiment, the permagrip elastic fastener is formed from inverted omega shaped channel section made from spring steel substantially resembling the fastener 16 shown in FIG. 6 and carrying a hole in each of its extension arms registering with one another and through which a J-type or similar bolt 14 is adapted to pass. The lower arm 19 of said extension arms is provided a pivotally mounted shoe plate 22 carrying a shoe pad 24. There is a sandwich block 31 positioned within the gap formed in said extension arms 18 and 19 of the fastener and said sandwich block also carries a hole 20 registering with the said hole 20 formed in the said extension arms for passing therethrough, a J-type bolt 14.  
  According to yet another embodiment of this invention the permagrip elastic fastener 16 is formed from a series of leaf springs 32, 33 and 34 slid within one another and each of said springs bent in the form of a C shape. The free ends thereof are extended outwardly to form extension arms carrying a hole 20 for passing therethrough a J-type bolt 14. At the bottom or the lower extension arm 19 is provided a pivotally mounted shoe plate 22 mounted on pivot 23, and a shoe pad 24 provided for said shoe plate. A sandwich block 31 carrying a hole 20 is fitted within the gap formed in said extension arms of the fastener so that said hole 20 of said sandwich block registers with the corresponding hole 20 formed in said extension arm for passing therethrough a J-type bolt 14.  
  According to a further embodiment of this invention the permagrip elastic fastener 16 is formed from a U- shaped (not shown) spring steel bent to form C-in shape. The free ends thereof are extended outwardly to form extension arms carrying a hole 20 near its free end and to the bottom of the lower extension arm 19 is provided a shoe plate 22 mounted on pivot 23 and a shoe pad 24 is provided for said shoe plate 22, and a sandwich block 31 carrying a hole 20 is fitted within the gap formed between said two extension arms so that hole 20 of the sandwich pad registers with the corresponding holes 20 formed in said extension arms of the fastener for passing therethrough a J-type bolt 14.  
  According to a further embodiment of this invention the permagrip elastic fastener 16 is formed from a mild steel U-channel section (not shown) bent to a C-shape and the free ends of which are extended to form extension arms each carrying a hole 20. Each arm is comprised by two or more similarly shaped leaf springs. The other features of the fastener 16 are analogous to those described above.  
  FIG. 7 shows a cross-section view of a permagrip fastener 16 along line 7-7 of FIG. 6. The permagrip fastener is held together by means of a threaded .l-bolt 14 having nut 29 tightened thereon. The casing 17 shown in a partial cut-away-section has lateral extension lips 21 which are also shown in a partial cut-away-section. The lateral extension lips encase and compress therebetween a sandwich block 31 which consists of three layers. However there could be more or less layers than these three layers in sandwich block 31 as long as there is at least one layer. The lateral extension lips in combination with the casing 17 encase and compress therebetween the three leaf springs 32, 33 and 34. The number of these leaf springs may be increased or decreased, provided there is at least one leaf spring. All of these elements of the permagrip fastener have an opening therein which can be aligned to form the continuous passageway 20 through which the .l-bolt 14 is inserted.  
  According to another embodiment of this invention the permagrip elastic rail fastener 16 is formed from an omega shaped channel section (not shown) made from spring steel bent into a C-shape. The other features of the fastener 16 are analogous to those described above.  
  According to another embodiment of this invention the permatie cross tie/sleeper 2 is formed from a T- section extending along one plane. The flange 3 carries four holes near its free ends 5 and 9. The web 4 is provided with baffles 10 preferably below the rail position on either side of said web 4. Ribs 11 are provided on the bearing surface of the flange 3 which also carries holes 12 at right angle to corresponding holes 13 formed in said flange 3. This enables a J-type or similar bolt to be passed therethrough for securing permagrip elastic rail fastener 16 to said permatie cross tie/sleeper 2 for securing rails 26 to permatie cross tie/sleeper as shown in FIG. 6. A series of ribs 11 are welded to the underside of flange 3 on either side of baffle plates 10 respectively in spaced and parallel relationship with one another.  
  According to a further embodiment of this invention the permatie cross ite/sleeper 2 is formed form a T- section formed from a flange 3 and a web 4 and carrying two bent extension arms 35 and 36 extending upwardly from the middle portion thereof. The other features of the cross tie/sleeper are analogous to those described above.  
  According to a further embodiment of this invention the permatie cross tie/sleeper 2 is formed from a U- or C-channel section (not shown) having a flange and two webs and the free ends of said channel section being bent upwardly at an angle inclined to the horizontal line formed by the middle portion thereof which extends along one plane. A baffle plate is welded within the gap formed between the two webs and the webs carry a hole. This hole is respectively at a right angle to the corresponding holes formed in the flange on either side of said baffle and so that a J-type bolt can be passed therethrough for securing permagrip elastic rail fasteners for anchoring rails to the cross tie/sleeper substantially as described hereinbefore. Ribs are welded to underside of the flange on either side of baffles respectively in spaced and parallel relationship with each other Although the present invention has been disclosed in connection with a few preferred embodiments thereof, variations and modifications may be resorted to by those skilled in the art without departing from the principles of the new invention. All of these variations and modifications are considered to be within the true spirit and scope of the present invention as disclosed in the foregoing description and defined by the appended claims.  
 I claim:  
  I. A cross support for a continuous rail or beam carrying moving, vibratory or other dynamic loads comprising a cross tie or sleeper adapted to be mounted on a ballast bed and having bearing areas near the top of said ballast bed; bottomless troughs carrying stone chips and the like and positioned so as to encompass said cross tie or sleeper adjacent to said bearing areas and adapted to feed said chips into the gaps in said ballast bed when vibrated; electrically insulated elastic fasteners on each of said bearing areas capable of providing permanent pressure for holding a rail or beam in an electrically insulated position on said cross tie or sleeper.  
  2. The cross support of claim I, wherein said cross tie or sleeper is constructed with a T-cross section having a flange at the top portion thereof and a web at the lower portion thereof: at least one baffle plate integral with said web to anchor said web and to provide greater lateral resistance to the web said web being inclined to horizontal; and at least one rib integral with the underside of said flange so as to counteract the phenomenon of track pumping.  
  3. The cross support of claim 2, wherein said cross tie or sleeper has a flange and a web. each having holes therein which are located such that a J-bolt can be passed through one hole in the flange and through the corresponding hole in the web.  
  4. The cross support of claim 2, wherein said cross tie or sleeper has outer arms which are raised at the free end thereof; said bottomless troughs resting on said cross tie or sleeper on either side of said bearing areas with said fasteners positioned between said bottomless trough and said bearing areas; wherein said ballast flows into any gaps formed under the said flange of said cross tie or sleeper providing automatic and accurate maintenance thereof.  
  5. The cross support of claim 1, wherein said cross tie or sleeper is bent into a slight W shape and having inner arms and outer arms; said rail or beam adapted to be fastened onto said bearing area located on the outer arms of said cross tie or sleeper; whereby the said slight W shape of said cross tie or sleeper provides an inclined bent shape affording increased anchorage and lateral resistance to said cross tie or sleeper and also counteracts pumping; whereby in the case of a derailment the derailed wheel tends to hug the rails thereby preventing the wheel from falling outside the cross tie or sleeper.  
  6. The cross support of claim 1, wherein said electrically insulating elastic fasteners are positioned between said bottomless troughs and said bearing areas.  
  7. The cross support of claim 1, wherein said bottomless troughs contains larger gravel in the initial stages thereof and progressively smaller gravel in the later stages.  
  8. The cross support of claim 1, wherein said electrically insulated elastic fastener is shaped like a clamp having a hole in the upper surface and a hole in the lower surface in which is housed at least one leaf spring with a hole therein registered with and aligned with the holes in said clamp; said at least one leaf spring and said clamp being arranged such that there is a gap between the inner edges of said at least one leaf spring; and an insulated sandwich block positioned in said gap and having a hole therethrough aligned with said holes in said clamp and said at least one leaf spring; a J-bolt passing through said aligned holes for affixing said fastener to said cross tie or sleeper.  
  9. The cross support of claim 8, wherein said fastener clamp has extended arms adapted to firmly hold the foot portion of a rail or beam when said clamp bolt is tightened; and a pad of electrically insulated elastic material adapted to be placed between said extended arms of said clamp and said foot portion.  
  10. A process for maintaining the ballast foundation bed for supporting a cross support which in turn supports rail or beam carrying moving. vibratory or other dynamic loads comprising providing a zone containing stone chips and the like on either side of said rail or beam; said zone being suitably elevated above said ballast foundation bed and encompassing said cross support; and activating said stone chips and the like to flow downward into the gaps between said cross support and said ballast foundation bed by the movement of said moving vibratory or dynamic load acting upon said rail or beam.  
  11. The process of claim 10, wherein said foundation bed is a railroad ballast bed, and wherein said moving vibratory dynamic load is supported by a continuous rail.  
  12. The process of claim 11, wherein said stone chips and the like is initially comparatively large sized, then followed by chips and the like of intermediate size, and finally followed by chips and the like relatively small in size.  
  13. The process of claim 12, wherein said comparatively large size chips is from greater than 6 to 10 mm, said intermediate size chips is from 3 to 6 mm, and said relatively small size chips is less than 3 down to 2 mm.  
  14. In a process for repairing local irregularity, improving or maintaining a railroad track system comprising a ballast bed above which is positioned a cross support which supports a continuous rail carrying moving, vibratory or other dynamic loads, and utilizing a process to fill in the gaps between said cross support and said ballast bed; the improvement which comprises utilizing the process of claim 10 to fill in the gaps between said cross support and said ballast bed.