Abstract: Modern D.C.-tractioned trains and track circuit signal systems as well as high load trains need a special track construction. A new concrete cross sleeper system is provided for high load and high velocity tracks as well as for urban rapid transit systems comprising rails and sleepers having center part, connected to bar shaped ends and having reinforcing means.On the bar shaped ends two rail seats for each rail are positioned having elastic, electrically non-conducting plastic pads. The rails are fastened onto the rail seat by special tension means clamping the foot of the rail and fixed into plugs in the sleepers. This feature allows a triple point fixing of the rail at each sleeper end. Tracks on asphalt pavement may be secured by anchor device of the general type as sold under the trademark NELSON.The new track construction decreases the intermittent load of the rail/sleeper system and avoids trouble in track circuit signal systems existing in normally used prestressed concrete sleepers (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A railway switch is mounted on y-shaped sleepers. All sleepers in the switch have a medium portion of equal slightly s-shaped configuration and length. The length of the straight and parallel ends depends on the position of the individual sleeper in the switch. The sleepers extend alternately from one outer rail in the direction to the other outer rail. The crossing piece is supported by y-shaped sleepers which underlie only the crossing piece and alternately one of the outer rails in the switch. If the switch comprises a straight and a curved line, all sleepers supporting the outer straight rail are arranged at a right angle to the straight line and protrude outwardly over the straight rail in the same length. Preferably the sleepers are composed of two s-shaped I-beam steel profiles and additional shorter I-beam steel profiles at the bifurcated straight ends, all pairs of adjacent I-beams being connected at a distance forming a slit for inserting a coach screw.