A method for monitoring a railway system is provided. The method may include arranging a sensor below a movable railway element of the railway system, and measuring a spatial position of at least a segment of the movable railway element by a contactless measurement by the sensor. The sensor may be configured to differentiate between at least two different spatial positions of the segment of the movable railway element, and the respective spatial position may relate to the distance between the segment of the movable railway element and a rail of the railway system. Furthermore, a sensor arrangement for a railway system is provided.

A method for monitoring a railway system is provided. The method may include arranging a sensor below a movable railway element of the railway system, and measuring a spatial position of at least a segment of the movable railway element by a contactless measurement by the sensor. The sensor may be configured to differentiate between at least two different spatial positions of the segment of the movable railway element, and the respective spatial position may relate to the distance between the segment of the movable railway element and a rail of the railway system. Furthermore, a sensor arrangement for a railway system is provided.

A monitoring unit for monitoring a railway track is provided. The monitoring unit may include a processing unit, at least one wheel sensor connectable to a rail of the railway track, and a sensor arrangement connectable to a railway switch of the railway track. The wheel sensor and the sensor arrangement may be connected with the processing unit, and the processing unit may include an output that is connectable to a signaling system. Furthermore, a method for monitoring a railway track is provided.

A sensor arrangement for a railway system is provided. The sensor arrangement may include a plurality of sensors, each sensor having a coil. The sensors may be arranged in a two-dimensional arrangement, each sensor may have a sensing range within which the respective sensor is configured to detect movement of electrically conductive material, and for each position along a sensing distance within the two-dimensional arrangement, the sensor arrangement may include at least two sensors of the plurality of sensors whose sensing range extends over the respective position.

Disclosed is a railroad switch device for moving railroad switch points. The device includes two spring assembly sets placed over two switch operation rods. The spring assembly sets move railroad switch points and keep railroad switch points against a stock rail. At least one sensor is mounted adjacent to two switch operation rods. The switch operation rods have a switch point position target connected to the switch operation rods. The switch point position target follows a movement of two throw rods. The two spring assembly sets provide a spring holding force to the two switch operation rods. The spring holding force provides a safe operation of a switch point position assembly by at least one of determining that the spring holding force is present in the moving railroad switch point, and pushing the spring holding force towards the switch point position assembly away from the at least one sensor.

Disclosed is a railroad switch device for moving railroad switch points. The device includes two spring assembly sets placed over two switch operation rods. The spring assembly sets move railroad switch points and keep railroad switch points against a stock rail. At least one sensor is mounted adjacent to two switch operation rods. The switch operation rods have a switch point position target connected to the switch operation rods. The switch point position target follows a movement of two throw rods. The two spring assembly sets provide a spring holding force to the two switch operation rods. The spring holding force provides a safe operation of a switch point position assembly by at least one of determining that the spring holding force is present in the moving railroad switch point, and pushing the spring holding force towards the switch point position assembly away from the at least one sensor.

A detection and indication system for use in a railway switch machine which utilizes one or more roller members which physically interact with a point detector bar coupled to one or more switch points to provide an indication of a point failure upon movement of the point detector bar a predetermined distance from an initial position. The system includes a mounting structure structured to be coupled to a housing of the switch machine and a first sensing device coupled to the mounting structure. The first sensing device is positioned and structured to detect movement of the point detector bar a second predetermined distance from the initial position, wherein the second predetermined distance is less than the first predetermined distance.

A detection and indication system for use in a railway switch machine which utilizes one or more roller members which physically interact with a point detector bar coupled to one or more switch points to provide an indication of a point failure upon movement of the point detector bar a predetermined distance from an initial position. The system includes a mounting structure structured to be coupled to a housing of the switch machine and a first sensing device coupled to the mounting structure. The first sensing device is positioned and structured to detect movement of the point detector bar a second predetermined distance from the initial position, wherein the second predetermined distance is less than the first predetermined distance.

A remote isolation system (700) for a rail system (200) comprising a rail system component (215A) other than rail traffic energisable by an energy source (23) and a control system (205) for controlling operation of said rail system component (215A) wherein said control system (205) enables isolation of said rail system component (215A) from said energy source (23) to an isolated state when an isolation request for said rail system component (215A) is authorised by the control system (205).

A test release mechanism for a railway switch machine includes a block structured to attach to a lock box in order to move in conjunction with the lock box and a lift pin structured to be operable to selectively engage and disengage the block with a slide bar.