A laminated wood and encapsulated railroad tie structure and its associated method of manufacture. A wood core of laminated wood slats is inserted into an extruded sleeve of scrap tire rubber and polyurethane. A urethane adhesive laminates the wood slats together and serves as a lubricant and bonding agent for placement and secured engagement of the sleeve about the core. End caps are securely engaged at each end of the composite sleeve, being secured to both the wood or other natural fiber core and sleeve. Longitudinal grooves or slots for engagement with a railroad bed characterize the bottom and side surfaces of the sleeve. The core may be provided with bores and grooves to receive sensors and conductors interconnected with a processor and transponder maintained in an end cap. The end case also maintains a photovoltaic device and power source for the active elements of the railroad tie structure. The core may also be manufactured of a wood or other natural fiber giving the core a desired flex modulus to provide for better control and serviceability of associated rails and railway cars.

The present disclosure generally relates to a rail warning system using wireless portable transmitters/receivers. The rail warning system uses a chirp spread spectrum modulation scheme, and alerts personnel in work zones on or near train tracks as well as optionally, on track equipment and train operators, of approaching trains or on track equipment. Portable wayside devices may also be positioned on the rail web, optionally magnetically, to alert work personnel, allowing for secure placement but also portability to other locations on the same track or adjacent tracks.

According to the disclosure, there is provided a rail clamp connector for connecting a rail clamp to a beam. The rail clamp connector may be for connecting a rail clamp to a beam and the rail clamp connector may comprise a first part connectable to the beam. The rail clamp connector may further comprise a second part, pivotally (pivotably) connected to the first part, connectable to the rail clamp. The rail clamp connector may further comprise a vibration damping device to reduce the transmittal of vibration from the second part to the first part.

According to the disclosure, there is provided a rail clamp connector for connecting a rail clamp to a beam. The rail clamp connector may be for connecting a rail clamp to a beam and the rail clamp connector may comprise a first part connectable to the beam. The rail clamp connector may further comprise a second part, pivotally (pivotably) connected to the first part, connectable to the rail clamp. The rail clamp connector may further comprise a vibration damping device to reduce the transmittal of vibration from the second part to the first part.

A rail contact element for drop off detection is disclosed, wherein the rail contact element is mountable to a rail and includes a spring element, a main body which holds the spring element and an optical fiber. The spring element is in a tension state or in a relax state depending on a mounting state of the rail contact element. The optical fiber includes an outlet surface for emitting a light beam and the rail contact element further includes a reflector element. The spring element, the reflector element and the optical fiber are arranged so that the influence of the reflector element on the light beam is different in the tension state than in the relax state.

A rail contact element for drop off detection is disclosed, wherein the rail contact element is mountable to a rail and includes a spring element, a main body which holds the spring element and an optical fiber. The spring element is in a tension state or in a relax state depending on a mounting state of the rail contact element. The optical fiber includes an outlet surface for emitting a light beam and the rail contact element further includes a reflector element. The spring element, the reflector element and the optical fiber are arranged so that the influence of the reflector element on the light beam is different in the tension state than in the relax state.

A track sensor arrangement consists of a wheel sensor (1), a detachable connection assembly (2) and a track holder (3). The detachable connection assembly (2) consists of a supply cable (4) and a plug (5) provided with an electric plug connection (6B). The track holder (3) consists of a support (7) and of connection elements (8). Inside the body (9) of the plug (5) an assembly compartment (10) is formed. The body (9) of the plug (5) is slidingly fitted on the support (7), wherein on the body (9) of the plug (5) a mounting clamp (11) is slidingly fitted. The mounting clamp (11) is fastened to the support (7) by means of a screw connection (12).

A track sensor arrangement consists of a wheel sensor (1), a detachable connection assembly (2) and a track holder (3). The detachable connection assembly (2) consists of a supply cable (4) and a plug (5) provided with an electric plug connection (6B). The track holder (3) consists of a support (7) and of connection elements (8). Inside the body (9) of the plug (5) an assembly compartment (10) is formed. The body (9) of the plug (5) is slidingly fitted on the support (7), wherein on the body (9) of the plug (5) a mounting clamp (11) is slidingly fitted. The mounting clamp (11) is fastened to the support (7) by means of a screw connection (12).