An operating and locking mechanism for turnouts of central rail-guided vehicles, where the mechanism at the entrance of the turnout includes: a guide block fixed to a fixed part comprising having two guide grooves, two shafts fixed to a moving panel, a moving rocking lever which pivots around a shaft attached to the fixed element and centered with respect to the guide block and perpendicular to the main plane thereof, where the rocking lever includes grooves located on the main plane of the rocking lever within which rollers which are at a higher level with respect to the rollers of the shafts can be moved and rolled, and where the mechanism at the exit of the turnout includes: a guide block fixed to the fixed part having two guide grooves, two shafts fixed to the moving panel, a moving rocking lever which pivots around a shaft attached to the fixed element and centered with respect to the guide block and perpendicular to the main plane thereof, where the rocking lever comprises grooves located on the main plane of the rocking lever within which rollers which are at a higher level Z with respect to the rollers of the shafts can be moved and rolled, where the rocking levers move in a synchronous manner and in the same direction by means of rods of the drive motor, generating a rotation of the moving panel around the pivoting point such that the shafts simultaneously reach their locking positions through either the direct route or the diverted route.

A railroad switch indicator, that operates independently of the mechanism for operating the switch, for signaling the position of the switchpoints via a flexible mechanical cable connected to a railroad switch amplifier mechanism. The railroad switch amplifier mechanism has linkage members attached to a crossbar connecting inner stockrails and to a pivoted lever arm, the output arm of which is attached to the mechanical cable. The flexible mechanical cable allows the railroad switch indicator to be positioned remotely from the switchpoints and switch amplifier mechanism in a highly visible and easily serviced location.

A railroad switch indicator, that operates independently of the mechanism for operating the switch, for signaling the position of the switchpoints via a flexible mechanical cable connected to a railroad switch amplifier mechanism. The railroad switch amplifier mechanism has linkage members attached to a crossbar connecting inner stockrails and to a pivoted lever arm, the output arm of which is attached to the mechanical cable. The flexible mechanical cable allows the railroad switch indicator to be positioned remotely from the switchpoints and switch amplifier mechanism in a highly visible and easily serviced location.

An anomaly determination device includes a changeover force measurement unit that measures a changeover force output by a driving device, the driving device outputting a changeover force for switching a direction of a branch rail whose direction is variable, a voltage measurement unit that measures a voltage supplied to the driving device, a current measurement unit that measures a current flowing through the driving device, and an anomaly determination unit that determines whether or not there is an anomaly in the branch rail, there is an anomaly in the driving device, and there is an anomaly in power supplied to the driving device on the basis of the magnitude of the changeover force, the magnitude of the voltage, and the magnitude of the current.

The invention concerns a control and monitoring device for a switch machine of a railway switch comprising: a power supply for providing a switch motor of the switch machine with a current, the switch motor being adapted to move points of the railway switch, a relay having a primary contact connected electrically to the power supply via at least one line and a secondary contact adapted to be electrically connected to the switch motor; the relay being adapted to switch on and off the power provided to the switch motor; at least one current sensor adapted to sense the current to be provided to the switch motor at the at least one line between the power supply and the relay; at least one voltage sensor adapted to sense a voltage to be provided to the switch motor at the at least one line between the power supply and the relay; a monitoring module connected to the at least one current sensor and the at least one voltage sensor, wherein the monitoring module is adapted to record the measured current and voltage values.

A method and apparatus for switching device, wherein the apparatus includes a clamp block (44) configured for attachment to a rail end point (12,14), the clamp block (44) including a housing (64) having a slot (66) formed therein, and a clip (42) configured to be received in the slot (66). The clip (42) disengageable from the slot (66) upon application of a generally lateral trailing force to the rail end point (12,14) in excess of a threshold value.

A method and apparatus for switching device, wherein the apparatus includes a clamp block (44) configured for attachment to a rail end point (12,14), the clamp block (44) including a housing (64) having a slot (66) formed therein, and a clip (42) configured to be received in the slot (66). The clip (42) disengageable from the slot (66) upon application of a generally lateral trailing force to the rail end point (12,14) in excess of a threshold value.

A railroad switch circuit controller assembly includes a switch frame configured to be mounted to a stock rail, and a switch controller held by the switch frame. The switch controller includes at least one switching mechanism. The switch controller includes a point detection rod operatively connected to the at least one switching mechanism. The point detection rod extends a length from a proximate end portion to a distal end portion. The proximate end portion of the point detection rod is located closer to the stock rail as compared to the distal end portion when the switch frame is mounted to the stock rail. The railroad switch circuit controller assembly also includes a switch foot configured to be mounted to a switch rail, and an external rod operatively connected between the switch foot and the point detection rod of the switch controller such that the external rod is configured to translate linear movement of the switch foot toward and away from the stock rail to the point detection rod. The external rod is connected to the proximate end portion of the point detection rod.

A switch locking system and method of an authorized locomotive for safely traversing a switch in a railway including sending a lock command from a computer onboard the authorized locomotive to a switch controller associated with the switch; determining if a lock confirmation from the switch controller is received by the computer onboard the authorized locomotive; and safely traversing the switch upon receipt of the lock confirmation. The switch locking system and method may include sending an unlock command from a computer onboard the authorized locomotive to a switch controller after the train clears the switch.

Provided is a hydraulic railroad switch machine that incorporates a lock-spring assembly, a point-detection and display system, a connector rod assembly, and a hydraulic system to overcome disadvantages associated with throw-out linkages.