For fault detection in a switch system including multiple switches, for a respective switch its operating data are acquired and transmitted to a central control. For a respective first switch of the switch system, a deviation of an operating behavior of the first switch from a set behavior is determined by the central control on the basis of its operating data. If there is a deviation, operating data of the first switch are compared with operating data of other, second switches of the switch system and, depending on that, a second switch with similar operating data is selected.

A method for commanding a railway level crossing protection system comprising: a) activating a railway signal preventing a train from driving beyond a level crossing; b) detecting an incoming train approaching the level crossing and measuring a speed of said incoming train; c) calculating a waiting time, as a function of the train's measured speed; d) waiting until expiration of the calculated waiting time and, once said waiting time expires, sending an order to commute the protection system into the protected state; and e) querying the state of the protection system and if said protection system is found to have commuted into the protected state, deactivating said railway signal, and maintaining said railway signal in the activated state otherwise.

A method for commanding a railway level crossing protection system comprising: a) activating a railway signal preventing a train from driving beyond a level crossing; b) detecting an incoming train approaching the level crossing and measuring a speed of said incoming train; c) calculating a waiting time, as a function of the train's measured speed; d) waiting until expiration of the calculated waiting time and, once said waiting time expires, sending an order to commute the protection system into the protected state; and e) querying the state of the protection system and if said protection system is found to have commuted into the protected state, deactivating said railway signal, and maintaining said railway signal in the activated state otherwise.

A method for supplying power to railway operating elements that are arranged along a railway line. A terminal station has a power supply device. At least one substation has a power supply subunit for at least one connected railway operating element. An input-side control unit of the substation modifies the current consumption in the substation incrementally, with corresponding modification of the voltage of the power supply subunit to match the rated voltage of the railway operating element on the substation, and producing a coded message. The control device of the terminal station modifies the output voltage according to the coded message, until the rated voltage for the railway operating element is reached on the power supply subunit. When the nominal voltage is reached the power supply subunit is connected to the railway operating element.

A method for supplying power to railway operating elements that are arranged along a railway line. A terminal station has a power supply device. At least one substation has a power supply subunit for at least one connected railway operating element. An input-side control unit of the substation modifies the current consumption in the substation incrementally, with corresponding modification of the voltage of the power supply subunit to match the rated voltage of the railway operating element on the substation, and producing a coded message. The control device of the terminal station modifies the output voltage according to the coded message, until the rated voltage for the railway operating element is reached on the power supply subunit. When the nominal voltage is reached the power supply subunit is connected to the railway operating element.

A method for indicating a status of a railroad switch is configured for use in un-signaled (dark) territory utilizing vital audio messages. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a DTMF signal from a railway vehicle, initializing control of the switch, and triggering the reporting of a correspondence condition through vital relays or other electronic components.

A method for indicating a status of a railroad switch is configured for use in un-signaled (dark) territory utilizing vital audio messages. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a DTMF signal from a railway vehicle, initializing control of the switch, and triggering the reporting of a correspondence condition through vital relays or other electronic components.

Railway detection system for detecting the presence of a railway vehicle on a railway track section comprising at least two rails, the railway track section comprising a first end and a second end opposite to the first end in a longitudinal direction of the railway track section, the railway detection system comprising a track circuit system comprising a signal generator electrically coupled to the first end of the railway track section, the signal generator being configured for generating a first track circuit signal to be injected into the railway track section at the first end, wherein the signal generator is adapted to generate a first component of the first track circuit signal comprising at least one DC pulse; generate a second component of the first track circuit signal, and add the first and the second component so as to obtain the first track circuit signal.

Railway detection system for detecting the presence of a railway vehicle on a railway track section comprising at least two rails, the railway track section comprising a first end and a second end opposite to the first end in a longitudinal direction of the railway track section, the railway detection system comprising a track circuit system comprising a signal generator electrically coupled to the first end of the railway track section, the signal generator being configured for generating a first track circuit signal to be injected into the railway track section at the first end, wherein the signal generator is adapted to generate a first component of the first track circuit signal comprising at least one DC pulse; generate a second component of the first track circuit signal, and add the first and the second component so as to obtain the first track circuit signal.

The railroad track wire connection is configured for electrically connecting a first element of a railroad installation to a second element of the railroad installation, the first element and the second element being electrically conductive, at least one of the first element and the second element being a rail of a line of rails of a railroad track of the railroad installation. The railroad track wire connection comprises at least one first element wire having a proximal end for connection to the first element and a distal end, a first element connector provided at the distal end of each first element wire, the first element connector being configured for electrical connection with the second element directly or via a mating second element connector, wherein the first element connector comprises a magnetic element for generating a magnetic force with the second element for fixing the first element connector to the second element in a removable manner or with a magnetic element of the second element connector for fixing the first element connector to the second element connector in a removable manner.