Working on the line near our home, this vehicle was trundling along...what is it?

So this was working on the line.  A Balfour Beatty machine.  It stopped every few feet and six paddle drills descended next to the line.  Then it moved on.  Any idea what it is and what it was doing?

Michael

Michael

I think its working on the ballast - the paddles dig into the ground and agitate the ballast to ensure no slippage or voids under the track - a bit like puffing up a pillow.  These are caused by passing trains despite the modern approach of deep ballasting.

Others with more technical knowledge may know more

Barry

Could be this?

SB Rail awarded track machine contract | News | Railway Gazette International


Ed

Yep, reckon Ed’s got it. Ballast tamper, neat bit of kit….

Indeed!  And Balfour Beatty also got part of the contract - there is a related article in the link, referring to the Stoneblower.  Very neat!
Michael