plateways

Plateways were an early form of transport infrastructure, essentially wooden or metal rails laid down to allow wheeled vehicles to move more easily. They predated the development of modern railways and canals. The earliest plateways were developed in the 17th century, often used in mines to transport coal or other heavy materials. They typically consisted of parallel wooden planks or stone slabs, with grooves or flanges to guide the wheels of carts.

These early systems were crucial for industrial development, enabling the efficient movement of bulk goods from production sites to waterways or markets. As technology advanced, cast iron rails began to replace wooden ones, offering greater durability and load-bearing capacity. The design evolved with the introduction of flanged wheels, which effectively kept the carts on the track, a concept that would be fundamental to later railway development. Plateways were less sophisticated than modern railways, often featuring uneven surfaces and requiring significant manual effort for propulsion. However, they represented a significant step forward in mechanical transport, laying the groundwork for the railway revolution of the 19th century.