rööpad

Rööpad are the rails of railway tracks, the metal running surfaces on which train wheels travel. They form the guide and load-bearing element of a track and extend for long distances, usually in parallel pairs separated by the track gauge. The rails sit on sleepers (ties) and are fixed to them with fasteners or clip systems. The combination of rails, sleepers, ballast and fastening devices constitutes the track structure.

Rööpad are typically made of steel, often carbon steel or low-alloy steel. They are produced by hot rolling and later heat-treated to improve durability. The standard cross-section consists of a head that provides the rolling surface, a web that connects the head to the base, and a base that resists vertical loads. Rails are available in various profiles and weights, chosen according to expected loads and speeds. They are manufactured in long lengths and joined end-to-end; joints may be bolted with fishplates or welded to create continuous rails. The most common track gauge worldwide is 1,435 millimeters.

In operation, rööpad wear gradually from wheel contact and are subject to rolling contact fatigue, misalignment, and corrosion. Maintenance includes regular grinding to restore wheel-rail profile, tamping to stabilize ballast, and replacement of worn or damaged sections. Welded rails and modern switch and crossing components help minimize discontinuities in high-speed or heavy-traffic lines.

The term rööpad is used in Estonian to denote railway rails.