railwaytrack

A railway track, also known as a railroad track or permanent way, is the permanent structure that a train or tram runs on. It consists of two parallel steel rails fixed to sleepers or ties, which are themselves embedded in ballast. The rails are typically made of steel and are shaped with a head, web, and foot. The head is the part that the wheel of the train runs on. The web provides structural support, and the foot is the base that rests on the sleepers.

Sleepers, traditionally made of wood but now often concrete or steel, are laid perpendicular to the rails. They serve to maintain the gauge, which is the distance between the inner faces of the two rails, and to distribute the load from the rails to the ballast. The ballast, usually crushed stone or gravel, provides a stable foundation for the sleepers, allows for drainage, and helps to absorb vibrations.

At intervals, the rails are joined together, either by fishplates or by welding. Fishplates are metal bars that bridge the gap between two rail ends, secured by bolts. Welded rails create a continuous, jointless track, which reduces noise and vibration and is generally preferred for high-speed lines. The entire assembly is designed to withstand the immense forces exerted by moving trains, ensuring safe and efficient rail transport. Switches, also known as points, are special trackwork arrangements that allow trains to change from one track to another.