Railway control and field device switching system

A railway control system comprising:

• a number of railway field devices;
• a first control system structured to communicate with the number of railway field devices;
• a second control system structured to communicate with the number of railway field devices;
• a switching system for selectively connecting the number of railway field devices with the first control system or the second control system, the switching system including:
• a first plug panel including a number of first plugs structured to connect to the field devices, the first control system, and the second control system;
• a plurality of first relays structured to selectively connect one of the first plugs with another of the first plugs, the plurality of first relays having a first position in which first plugs corresponding with the first control system are connected with first plugs corresponding to the field devices and a second position in which first plugs corresponding with the second control system are connected with first plugs corresponding to the field devices;
• and
• a controller structured to control the first relays to selectively set the first relays to the first position or the second position.

A remote switching system for selectively connecting railway field devices with a first control system or a second control system, the remote switching system comprising:

• a number of local switching systems, each including:
• a first plug panel including a number of first plugs structured to connect to the field devices, the first control system, and the second control system;
• a plurality of first relays structured to selectively connect one of the first plugs with another of the first plugs, the plurality of first relays having a first position in which first plugs corresponding with the first control system are connected with first plugs corresponding to the field devices and a second position in which first plugs corresponding with the second control system are connected with first plugs corresponding to the field devices;
• and
• a first controller structured to control the first relays to selectively set the first relays to the first position or the second position;
• and
• a remote switching cabinet including:
• a second controller structured to communicate with and control the first controller, and wherein the first controller is structured to control the position of the plurality of first relays in response to communication from the second controller.