Abstract: In a method for the production of a switch diamond for switch rails and double crossovers with a switch diamond point out of carbon steel and connector rails, the switch diamond point is rolled and submitted to heat treatment, by which the switch diamond point is transformed over its total cross-section into a fine pearlite texture, whereby subsequently the switch diamond point is tempered and at least in the area where the wheels roll over, a material removing treatment for the removal of the wheel zone texture different from the fine pearlite texture is put underneath and afterwards the switch diamond point is welded to connector rails, so that the production of a switch diamond is simplified and heat treatment in a conventional apparatus is made possible.

Abstract: In a method for monitoring the condition of rail switch points and for detection of premature abrasive wear-and-tear in the region of the tongue switching rail (3) of the points, the signals from at least one proximity sensor (2) in the region of the tongue switching rail (3) of the points are evaluated when the tongue switching rail is travelled upon, and the smallest measured value of the separation distance (l) during the travel is stored in memory. The smallest measured value stored in memory and at least a first limiting value for the smallest separation distance are compared with one another and, when the smallest measured value in memory exceeds this first limiting value, a warning signal is generated.

Abstract: In a process for measuring axle bearing temperatures in order to locate hot wheels in moving railroad cars with infrared receivers and with an oscillating scanning beam that is oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction of the rail, the analog measured values from the infrared receiver are digitized and then coupled with the oscillation frequency orientation of the scanning beam so that at least two complete oscillations of the scanning beam are analyzed for each axle. A mean value is formed from the measured value corresponding to one sub-area of a first oscillation of the scanning beam and from the measured value that corresponds to subsequent oscillations of the scanning beam. When this is done, the calculation of the average or mean value is repeated for a specific predetermined maximum number of oscillations of the scanning beam and for as long as an activation signal initiated by the wheel signals from the same axle is within the measuring angle of the center.

Abstract: In a method for connection of railway point components (1) such as, for example, frogs consisting of austenitic cast hard manganese steel, or manganese steel rails, to rails (2) made from carbon steel, with the utilization of an intermediate piece (3) made from low-carbon austenitic steel, in which method the intermediate piece (3) is first-of-all welded to the standard rail or connecting rail (2), following which, after cutting off the intermediate piece (3) to a length of less than 25 millimeters, in a second welding operation, the intermediate piece (3) is welded to the component (1) consisting of cast hard manganese steel or to the manganese steel rail (1), an intermediate piece (3) consisting of a low-carbon, austenitic, steel, in particular a chromium-nickel-steel, stabilized with niobium and/or titanium, is utilized and, following the first welding operation, a heat treatment, in particular a diffusion-solution at a temperature between 350.degree. C. and 1000.degree. C., is carried out.