Abstract: There is provided a system for use in illuminating a feature of a railway. In one embodiment, a system can include an illumination unit disposed for illumination of a railway feature. The illumination unit can include a light source bank, a solar panel, and a rechargeable battery for energizing the light source bank that is rechargeable utilizing energy collected by the solar energy panel.

Abstract: A signal alignment monitoring system is provided. The system includes a signal assembly including at least one signal lamp. The system also includes an alignment monitoring apparatus coupled to the signal assembly. The alignment monitoring apparatus includes a source for emitting electromagnetic energy and a detector for sensing electromagnetic energy emitted by the source to facilitate determining an alignment of the signal assembly.

Abstract: A railroad switch indicator for visually signaling the position of a pair of railroad switchpoints independently of the mechanism for operating the switch. The indicator includes a sleeve with windows in which is reciprocated a slide with reflectors selected ones of which are visible through the windows of the sleeve for indicating safety conditions of the track. An arm with an upwardly extending finger engages the slide and is attached to the transverse bar that moves the switchpoints for reciprocation of the slide within the sleeve conjointly with movement of the switchpoints by the transverse bar.

Abstract: A system to allow track-guided vehicles to avoid collisions with one another in straight track and curved track situations utilizing vehicle mounted devices and without the need for additional active traffic control devices. The system includes track-guided vehicles equipped with a plurality of selective sensors on the front and identifying reflective elements on the rear. Reflective strips mounted on the inner face of curved track allow the selective sensors to detect targets around curves. Retroreflective sensors coupled with corner cube reflective material are a preferred set of sensor and target implementations. The placement of the sensors and reflective elements is specified such that a calibrated system limits the range of the system and is easily maintained.

Abstract: A railroad signaling device for conveying information to a train engineer comprises a pylon adapted to be secured to a cross tie of the railroad track at a location to be passed over by a train as the train moves down the track. The pylon has front and rear faces that bear indicia fabricated of a retroflective material to reflect the train's headlight back in the direction of the engineer. The pylon is located along the railroad track to be easily detectable by an engineer, especially in fog or inclement weather when the engineer's attention is focused down the track ahead.

Abstract: A passively-actuated visual warning reflector device for providing a "flashing", oscillating, or fluctuating visual signal, the invention is readily adapted to be mounted to a moving vehicle, particularly the side of a train car, to warn of the presence of the vehicle at route intersections and crossings. The present reflector device is comprised of a reflective or luminous substrate member attached to a surface of either a vehicle or a stationary structure, an apertured disk member being mounted in superimposed relation to the reflective member for swinging movement relative thereto, thereby partially obscuring varying portions of the reflective member on movement of the disk member to provide the effect of an "on-off" light signal. The disk member is provided with circumferential flanges which catch air currents and cause the disk member to swing relative to the reflective member.