A switch arrangement for a track-borne vehicle has at least two articulatedly interconnected switch segments mounted so as to be movable with respect to a base surface. At least one switch segment has a drive. At least two switch segments are interconnected by means of an articulation, which has at least two degrees of rotational freedom. The articulation also or alternatively can have at least one degree of translational freedom, which is optionally formed with at least one additional degree of rotational freedom.

A light railway system comprising two parallel rails (12) each having a base portion (14) with a flat bottom, an upward-extending web (15), and a railhead (16), and resting within a respective trough structure (20). The trough structure (20) comprising multiple trough units (22) arranged end to end, with blocks (24, 26) that fit between the web (15) of the rail (12) and side portions of the trough unit (22) so as to locate the rail (12) within the trough structure (20). The system also includes multiple spaced-apart rigid ties (28) that interconnect the trough structures (20), so the rails (12) are at a desired separation. Inserted junction plates (54) may be used to hold successive trough units (22) in alignment.

A track switch that comprises track rails of basic (2), (3), straight, (4), (5) and lateral (6), (7) directions fastened on a slab track (1); sliding switch rails (8); (9) and point rails (10), (11) that are rigidly fastened to the slab track (1) by means of mounting means (12). The point rails and switch rails form points. The track switch comprises also a shift mechanism with a drive (14) and an axis (15), whereto sliding locks (16), (17) are connected. The point rails (10), (11) and the switch rails (8), (9) are connected with each other by means of units. Each of the units is a guide (18) that is rigidly fastened to the point rail, a wedge (19) that is rigidly fastened to the switch rail (8), (9), a cleat wedge (20) placed in the guides that is capable of moving longitudinally and fastened with its both ends to point rods (21) of the wedge (see FIGS. 1 and 4). The sliding wedges (20) are connected to each other by means of point rods (21), the last of the point rods being connected with the axis of the shift mechanism that is capable of rotating or moving longitudinally, and is set into motion by a shift drive mechanism. The sliding switch rails (8), (9) are connected to each other by means of spacing rods (22).

A track switch that comprises track rails of basic (2), (3), straight, (4), (5) and lateral (6), (7) directions fastened on a slab track (1); sliding switch rails (8); (9) and point rails (10), (11) that are rigidly fastened to the slab track (1) by means of mounting means (12). The point rails and switch rails form points. The track switch comprises also a shift mechanism with a drive (14) and an axis (15), whereto sliding locks (16), (17) are connected. The point rails (10), (11) and the switch rails (8), (9) are connected with each other by means of units. Each of the units is a guide (18) that is rigidly fastened to the point rail, a wedge (19) that is rigidly fastened to the switch rail (8), (9), a cleat wedge (20) placed in the guides that is capable of moving longitudinally and fastened with its both ends to point rods (21) of the wedge (see FIGS. 1 and 4). The sliding wedges (20) are connected to each other by means of point rods (21), the last of the point rods being connected with the axis of the shift mechanism that is capable of rotating or moving longitudinally, and is set into motion by a shift drive mechanism. The sliding switch rails (8), (9) are connected to each other by means of spacing rods (22).

Presented are a transportation system apparatus and method of operation. An exemplary transportation system includes an elevated track and a vehicle coupled with and operable to traverse the elevated track. Additionally, the transportation system includes a first elevated track loop wherein the vehicle is operable at a first speed, a second elevated track loop operable to receive the vehicle merging from the first elevated track loop, wherein the vehicle is operable at a second speed, and an elevated track section operable to receive the vehicle merging from the second elevated track loop, wherein the vehicle is operable at a third speed.

Presented are a transportation system apparatus and method of operation. An exemplary transportation system includes an elevated track and a vehicle coupled with and operable to traverse the elevated track. Additionally, the transportation system includes a first elevated track loop wherein the vehicle is operable at a first speed, a second elevated track loop operable to receive the vehicle merging from the first elevated track loop, wherein the vehicle is operable at a second speed, and an elevated track section operable to receive the vehicle merging from the second elevated track loop, wherein the vehicle is operable at a third speed.

A rail junction assembly (10) comprises a fixed rail portion (12) and a movable switch rail portion (14). The fixed rail portion (12) having a transfer region (26) which can be engaged by the switch rail portion (14) to effect transfer of a rail vehicle between the fixed and switch rail portions (12, 14). The switch rail portion (14) has an end region (28) movable into engagement with the transfer region (26) of the fixed rail portion (12). The transfer region (26) of the fixed rail portion (12) comprises an embedded rail portion embedded within an embedment (16).

A rail junction assembly (10) comprises a fixed rail portion (12) and a movable switch rail portion (14). The fixed rail portion (12) having a transfer region (26) which can be engaged by the switch rail portion (14) to effect transfer of a rail vehicle between the fixed and switch rail portions (12, 14). The switch rail portion (14) has an end region (28) movable into engagement with the transfer region (26) of the fixed rail portion (12). The transfer region (26) of the fixed rail portion (12) comprises an embedded rail portion embedded within an embedment (16).

The disclosure relates to railway switch mechanism comprising a first switch blade and/or first switch frog rail segment that is vertically displaceable by means of a first displacement mechanism in order to establish a vertical switch movement of the first switch blade and/or first switch frog rail segment between an upper and lower switch state; and a second switch blade and/or second switch frog rail segment that is vertically displaceable by means of a second displacement mechanism in order to establish a vertical switch movement of the second switch blade and/or second switch frog rail segment between an upper and lower switch state. The disclosure also relates to a corresponding method for operating such a railway switch mechanism.

A railway switch mechanism including first and second switch blades, wherein a switch point of each of the first and the second switch blades is vertically displaceable by means of a displacement mechanism in order to establish a switch movement in the respective switch point, wherein the respective displacement mechanism includes at least one pair of cooperating wedges having a lower wedge and an upper wedge, wherein at least one wedge of the at least one pair of cooperating wedges is arranged to be displaced in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the switch blade or parallel with a longitudinal direction of the switch mechanism, and wherein the switch blades are elastically deformable in the vertical direction or pivotally connected by hinged joints to first and second closure rails respectively for enabling the vertical displacement of the switch blades.