In order to save energy, it is proposed that parts of a signaling system be switched off, for example, by an operating system. The computers to be switched off store data which are relevant to railway safety, preferably on a central storage medium, for example, an NAS hard drive. When they have been reactivated, the computers read the safety-relevant data and operation can continue. This solution also enables computers which work with data relevant to railway safety to be switched to an energy-saving mode without endangering the safety of the railway.

In order to save energy, it is proposed that parts of a signaling system be switched off, for example, by an operating system. The computers to be switched off store data which are relevant to railway safety, preferably on a central storage medium, for example, an NAS hard drive. When they have been reactivated, the computers read the safety-relevant data and operation can continue. This solution also enables computers which work with data relevant to railway safety to be switched to an energy-saving mode without endangering the safety of the railway.

An improved safety system used to determine the present position of a car riding on railroad tracks that provides data to control signals, such as flashing lights, and crossing gates at railroad grade crossings in order to prevent accidents with vehicles or persons.

An improved safety system used to determine the present position of a car riding on railroad tracks that provides data to control signals, such as flashing lights, and crossing gates at railroad grade crossings in order to prevent accidents with vehicles or persons.

A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.

A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.

A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.

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 of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.