Railway Track

trains · infrastructure · engineering

Rails guide trains. Rails are the metal bars that train wheels run on. They're made of steel and have been since the 1870s, which made trains much stronger and safer than earlier wooden or iron tracks.

Ballast holds it together. Under the rails sits ballast, which is crushed rock and gravel that acts like a cushion. It keeps the rails at the right height and helps water drain away so the track stays in good condition.

Fasteners lock everything down. Special metal clamps and bolts called fasteners hold the rails firmly to the sleepers so nothing shifts or comes loose when heavy trains roll by.

Sleepers support the weight. Sleepers (called railroad ties in America) are thick beams laid across the track that hold the rails apart at the correct distance. They used to be made of wood or stone, and many still are today.

Low-friction surface matters. The smooth steel rails and wheels reduce friction, which means trains don't need as much power to move and can roll much farther without slowing down.