A rail heating head includes a vented enclosure and an induction coil. The induction coil is positioned within the vented enclosure. When in use, the vented enclosure is positioned adjacent a lateral portion of a train track rail. To be positioned adjacent to the head, the web, and the foot of the train track rail, a rail-bracing wall of the vented enclosure has a convex exterior surface and a concave interior surface. The induction coil has an oblong, concave shape and is pressed against the concave interior surface. Thus, the induction coil can induce eddy current magnetic fields in the head, the web, and the foot maximizing surface area. The larger surface area results in molecules in a large area being activated and leads to more heat. An eddy current deflecting magnetic shield further directs magnetic fields towards the train track rail.

A railway switch mechanism including first and second switch blades, wherein a switch point of each of the first and the second switch blades is vertically displaceable by means of a displacement mechanism in order to establish a switch movement in the respective switch point, wherein the respective displacement mechanism includes at least one pair of cooperating wedges having a lower wedge and an upper wedge, wherein at least one wedge of the at least one pair of cooperating wedges is arranged to be displaced in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the switch blade or parallel with a longitudinal direction of the switch mechanism, and wherein the switch blades are elastically deformable in the vertical direction or pivotally connected by hinged joints to first and second closure rails respectively for enabling the vertical displacement of the switch blades.

A railway switch mechanism including first and second switch blades, wherein a switch point of each of the first and the second switch blades is vertically displaceable by means of a displacement mechanism in order to establish a switch movement in the respective switch point, wherein the respective displacement mechanism includes at least one pair of cooperating wedges having a lower wedge and an upper wedge, wherein at least one wedge of the at least one pair of cooperating wedges is arranged to be displaced in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the switch blade or parallel with a longitudinal direction of the switch mechanism, and wherein the switch blades are elastically deformable in the vertical direction or pivotally connected by hinged joints to first and second closure rails respectively for enabling the vertical displacement of the switch blades.

An embodiment of a rail switch heating system is disclosed, including a controller comprising a processor and memory, an electrically resistive heating element coupled to the controller, the heating element configured for mounting to and heating a railroad rail, and software stored on the memory for executing the steps of: (a) automatically determining a pulse width modulated (PWM) cycle corresponding to a target energy consumption for cycling the heating element on and off; and (b) cycling the heating element on and off according to the PWM cycle.

An embodiment of a rail switch heating system is disclosed, including a controller comprising a processor and memory, an electrically resistive heating element coupled to the controller, the heating element configured for mounting to and heating a railroad rail, and software stored on the memory for executing the steps of: (a) automatically determining a pulse width modulated (PWM) cycle corresponding to a target energy consumption for cycling the heating element on and off; and (b) cycling the heating element on and off according to the PWM cycle.

A superstructure device (10) for a set of points having a switch support which is composed of a block of high-strength steel and which has stock and short point rails which delimit said switch support and are formed integrally from the block, wherein the block is connected to a lower part composed of a material other than the high-strength steel, such as mild steel, and is in particular connected in a materially joined fashion, wherein the block extends essentially over the entire length of a switch rail device as the superstructure device on both sides beyond the switch support, and the lower part is a means of supporting the block in the form of at least two supports which are spaced apart from one another.

A superstructure device (10) for a set of points having a switch support which is composed of a block of high-strength steel and which has stock and short point rails which delimit said switch support and are formed integrally from the block, wherein the block is connected to a lower part composed of a material other than the high-strength steel, such as mild steel, and is in particular connected in a materially joined fashion, wherein the block extends essentially over the entire length of a switch rail device as the superstructure device on both sides beyond the switch support, and the lower part is a means of supporting the block in the form of at least two supports which are spaced apart from one another.

An embodiment of a rail switch heating system is disclosed, including a controller comprising a processor and memory, an electrically resistive heating element coupled to the controller, the heating element configured for mounting to and heating a railroad rail, and software stored on the memory for executing the steps of: (a) automatically determining a pulse width modulated (PWM) cycle corresponding to a target energy consumption for cycling the heating element on and off; and (b) cycling the heating element on and off according to the PWM cycle.

An embodiment of a rail switch heating system is disclosed, including a controller comprising a processor and memory, an electrically resistive heating element coupled to the controller, the heating element configured for mounting to and heating a railroad rail, and software stored on the memory for executing the steps of: (a) automatically determining a pulse width modulated (PWM) cycle corresponding to a target energy consumption for cycling the heating element on and off; and (b) cycling the heating element on and off according to the PWM cycle.

A track switch heater and control circuit associated therewith, for use with a track switch is provided. The track switch heater includes a first heating element and a second heating element electrically connectable to a power source. The track switch heater further includes a heater control circuit electrically connected to the first heating element and the second heating element, the heater control circuit having an input control signal indicating a position of the track switch being in a first position or a second position. The heater control circuit independently controls power delivery from the power source to one of the first heating element or the second heating element based on the position of the track switch.