Device for changing the direction of travel of a rail-bound vehicle, rail-bound ride having such a device, and method for operating such a device

A method for operating a device for changing the direction of travel of a rail-bound vehicle with a feeding rail section, a removing rail section, and a connecting rail section, which is arranged by a rotary motion about an axis and a hoisting or lowing motion superimposing the rotary motion from a first position in which the connecting rail section is arranged in reference to the feeding rail section such that the rail-bound vehicle can ride onto the connecting rail section, is moved into a second position in which the connecting rail section is arranged in reference to the removing rail section such that the vehicle can ride onto the removing rail section, wherein the connecting rail section is guided on a guide rail such that the progression of the guide rail represents a mandatory curve of the motion and wherein the guide rail describes a closed curve in space, with the steps

• moving the connecting rail section into the first position,
• moving the rail-bound vehicle via the feeding rail section onto the connecting rail section,
• moving the connecting rail section from the first position into the second position, and
• guiding the rail-bound vehicle from the connecting rail section onto the removing rail section,
• wherein the moving of the connecting rail section from the first position into the second position is performed such that the connecting rail section on the path from the first position to the second position, performs at least one rotary motion about an axis of rotation and a translational motion superimposing a rotary motion parallel in reference to the axis of the rotary motion.