Abstract: A load limiting device to transmit an axial motion to operating mechanisms, comprising: an engaging element (6, 68) which can be connected to a mechanism (4); self-bearing means (2,5) transmitting in axial direction the motion of a driving group (1); a disengagement group (7) which is integral with the element transmitting the axial motion and comprises one or more elastic disengagement means (72) which are connected with the engaging element (68); means (73,74) to adjust the threshold value of the axial load causing said elastic disengagement.

Abstract: An operating device for railroad switches, particularly for high-speed lines. To permit more stable positioning of the blades (A1,A2) and of the frog (C) of the switch, which in high-speed lines are of considerable length, in addition to the switching actuator (1) at the toes of the blades (A1,A2) and to that (3) of the frog (C), there are distributed along the blades (A1,A2) and along the frog (C) one or more further switching actuators (2,3'). The switching actuators (1,2) of the blades (A1,A2) and the switching actuators (3,3') of the frog (C) are of the hydraulic type and are controlled respectively by a hydraulic control unit (4,4').