A control system executes preliminary biasing processing including controlling a guide wheel drive unit to bias a guide wheel in a direction from a first position toward a second position while the guide wheel is at the first position and is in contact with a first-side surface of a branch guide portion from a first side in a width direction before entering a switching area, and allows the guide wheel to pass through the switching area while executing the preliminary biasing processing.

A control system executes preliminary biasing processing including controlling a guide wheel drive unit to bias a guide wheel in a direction from a first position toward a second position while the guide wheel is at the first position and is in contact with a first-side surface of a branch guide portion from a first side in a width direction before entering a switching area, and allows the guide wheel to pass through the switching area while executing the preliminary biasing processing.

Disclosed is switch lock device of a railway switching actuator connected to a switching slide and a tie bar/locking slide of the actuator, the switching slide and a tie bar/locking slide being slidable one over the other to lock a blade of a railway switch in a closed position, the switch lock including an oscillating catch unit oscillating between two positions, engaging either a stationary step of a casing of the actuator or a head surface of the switching slide. The oscillating catch unit links to the end of the tie bar by a spring actuated mechanism blocking oscillation of the oscillating catch unit in an unlocked position corresponding to the engagement of the switching slide. During switching, the tie bar compresses the spring actuated mechanism, and the oscillating catch unit is free to oscillate towards a locking position, engaging the step of the casing of the actuator.

Disclosed is switch lock device of a railway switching actuator connected to a switching slide and a tie bar/locking slide of the actuator, the switching slide and a tie bar/locking slide being slidable one over the other to lock a blade of a railway switch in a closed position, the switch lock including an oscillating catch unit oscillating between two positions, engaging either a stationary step of a casing of the actuator or a head surface of the switching slide. The oscillating catch unit links to the end of the tie bar by a spring actuated mechanism blocking oscillation of the oscillating catch unit in an unlocked position corresponding to the engagement of the switching slide. During switching, the tie bar compresses the spring actuated mechanism, and the oscillating catch unit is free to oscillate towards a locking position, engaging the step of the casing of the actuator.

A system for remotely controlling third rail ribbon heaters is provided for preventing the accumulation of ice and snow on the rails. The system includes a plurality of switching assemblies that control a flow of electric current from the third rail of a railway to ribbon heaters mounted on the third rail. A remotely located digital controller provides switching commands to the switching assemblies via a radio link. The switching assemblies include current and voltage sensors that continuously provide current and voltage information that allows the digital controller to accurately predict when a heater failure condition is likely to occur so that ribbon heaters may be preemptively and safely replaced before failure. Each of the switching assemblies is contained in a junction box that includes both a door panel and a safety switch that disconnects the switching assembly from third rail current when the door panel is opened for improved safety.

A system for remotely controlling third rail ribbon heaters is provided for preventing the accumulation of ice and snow on the rails. The system includes a plurality of switching assemblies that control a flow of electric current from the third rail of a railway to ribbon heaters mounted on the third rail. A remotely located digital controller provides switching commands to the switching assemblies via a radio link. The switching assemblies include current and voltage sensors that continuously provide current and voltage information that allows the digital controller to accurately predict when a heater failure condition is likely to occur so that ribbon heaters may be preemptively and safely replaced before failure. Each of the switching assemblies is contained in a junction box that includes both a door panel and a safety switch that disconnects the switching assembly from third rail current when the door panel is opened for improved safety.

The present disclosure includes a portable rail safety system configured to determine a position of a rail switch. The rail safety system may include a rail switch detector, one or more rail switch beacons, a work block marker, a personal alert device, a collision avoidance system or combination thereof. In some aspects rail switch detector includes a first detector configured to be positioned between switch rails of a rail track and having a body, a first sensor coupled to the body and configured to detect a first switch rail tip of the switch rails, and a controller configured to calculate a first distance between the first sensor and the first switch rail tip and based on the first distance, determine a position of the switch rails between a first position and a second position.

The present disclosure includes a portable rail safety system configured to determine a position of a rail switch. The rail safety system may include a rail switch detector, one or more rail switch beacons, a work block marker, a personal alert device, a collision avoidance system or combination thereof. In some aspects rail switch detector includes a first detector configured to be positioned between switch rails of a rail track and having a body, a first sensor coupled to the body and configured to detect a first switch rail tip of the switch rails, and a controller configured to calculate a first distance between the first sensor and the first switch rail tip and based on the first distance, determine a position of the switch rails between a first position and a second position.

A railroad equipment state determination apparatus includes: a storage that stores a plurality of operation data associated with a prescribed operation performed by railroad equipment that is driven by a motor from a stopped state to perform the prescribed operation and then comes into the stopped state again; an evaluation criteria setting section that sets evaluation criteria based on the plurality of operation data stored in the storage; and a determination section that determines whether new operation data resulting from the prescribed operation newly performed by the railroad equipment is abnormal based on the evaluation criteria.

A railroad equipment state determination apparatus includes: a storage that stores a plurality of operation data associated with a prescribed operation performed by railroad equipment that is driven by a motor from a stopped state to perform the prescribed operation and then comes into the stopped state again; an evaluation criteria setting section that sets evaluation criteria based on the plurality of operation data stored in the storage; and a determination section that determines whether new operation data resulting from the prescribed operation newly performed by the railroad equipment is abnormal based on the evaluation criteria.