Track (rail transport)

The track on a railway or railroad, also known as the permanent way, is the structure consisting of the rails, fasteners, railroad ties (sleepers, British English) and ballast (or slab track), plus the underlying subgrade. It enables trains to move by providing a dependable surface for their wheels to roll. For clarity it is often referred to as railway track (British English and UIC terminology) or railroad track (predominantly in the United States). Tracks where electric trains or electric trams run are equipped with an electrification system such as an overhead electrical power line or an additional electrified rail.

The term permanent way also refers to the track in addition to lineside structures such as fences etc.

Structure

Traditional track structure

Notwithstanding modern technical developments, the overwhelmingly dominant track form worldwide consists of flat-bottom steel rails supported on timber or pre-stressed concrete sleepers, which are themselves laid on crushed stone ballast.

Latest News for: Rail power products

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Ottawa spending $25 million to make the port of Halifax greener and more efficient

Moosejaw Today 05 Feb 2025
The money will be used to prepare the port to refuel vessels powered by alternative fuels, establish a hydrogen production facility and buy an electric rail locomotive ... 5, 2025. The Canadian Press. ....
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South African government seeks to prevent the closure of ArcelorMittal South Africa plants

GMK Center 04 Feb 2025
The shutdown will affect all long products plants, ... The products they produce are needed to deploy power poles, rail lines, and new roads – projects that would turn South Africa into a “construction playground.” It is also crucial for the automotive plants operating in the country....
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Rail bosses sorry for

BBC News 30 Jan 2025
"The third rail is susceptible to snow and ice and when it forms on top of that rail, it acts as a barrier and the train struggles to draw power from it," he said. He said Network Rail apply an anti-icing product to the third rail regularly throughout the winter months and a review would examine why it had not been effective....
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Steelmakers’ plans jeopardize South Africa’s infrastructure development

GMK Center 21 Jan 2025
The products they produce are needed for the exponential deployment of power poles, rail lines, and new roads – projects that would turn South Africa into a “construction playground.” It is also crucial for the automotive plants operating in the country ... rail production facility....
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Is the steel giant British Steel in crisis?

Steel Radar 21 Jan 2025
British Steel, founded in 1967 in Scunthorpe, England, is known for its production of high quality train rails and wire rods ... In this context, plans to increase production at facilities in Scunthorpe, develop an electric arc furnace in Teesside and build a new power plant were announced....

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