Discover published sets by community

Rail corrugation are rhythmic waves formed on the rail surface due to train movements, causing noise and increasing wear, which requires regular maintenance.

Gauge rods are used to reinforce the track gauge and keep the rails at the correct spacing, particularly in areas prone to movement such as curves and switches.

Ballast consists of stones or other suitable materials which provide firmness and stability to the track. It also facilitates drainage and maintenance operations.

The frog is part of a switch that allows the flanged wheels of a train to cross from one track to another. It is a component where the tracks intersect and must be very durable.

Tie rods are used to bind together rails and maintain the structural geometry of tracks, often employed in areas with significant thermal or dynamic stresses.

Railroad tie plates distribute the load from the rail to the sleeper and provide a flat and stable base for the rail, improving durability and stability.

Brake shoes are used on trains to slow down and stop the rolling stock by applying pressure to the wheels or track and creating friction.

Rails provide a smooth and hard surface for the wheels of the train to roll upon. They are made of high-grade steel and are manufactured to withstand high stress and wear.

Sleepers, also known as ties, are the horizontal elements that support the rails and maintain the gauge distance. They distribute the load from the rails to the track ballast and ground below.

Level crossings are intersections where a railway line crosses a road or path at the same level, equipped with safety signaling equipment.

The flange is the extended edge on a train wheel that keeps the wheel on the rail, guiding it and preventing derailments.

Thermite welding is a welding process that uses a chemical reaction to heat and fuse the rail ends together, creating smooth, continuous rails.

A WILD is a monitoring system that detects when a wheel impact on the rail exceeds a certain level, indicating the need for rail or wheel maintenance.

Railroad spikes are large nails used for securing rails and tie plates to the sleepers in traditional track structures.

Crossings are specially designed sections of track that allow roads or other railways to cross at grade. They provide protected pathways for vehicles and pedestrians.

Sub-ballast lies between the ballast and the subgrade, providing additional stability, drainage, and protection to the subgrade.

Rail pads are placed between the rails and sleepers to absorb shocks and vibrations from train movements. They also protect the sleeper top surface.

A buffer stop is placed at the end of a track to prevent rolling stock from going past the end of a physical section of track.

Subgrade forms the foundation of the track structure. It's graded and compacted soil which provides support to the track layers above.

Chairs are used in some railway track systems, particularly with bullhead rails, to hold the rail in place and transfer load to the sleepers.

Expansion joints allow for the linear expansion and contraction of the rails due to temperature changes, preventing track buckling or gaps.

Ground relays are used in railway signal systems to detect electrical faults in the track circuitry, ensuring the safety of train operations.

Clips are used to secure the rails to the sleepers. They provide a clamping force to prevent rail movement vertically and laterally.

Rail anchors prevent rail movement relative to the sleepers. They help to counteract the longitudinal forces that might cause rail creep.

Cant, or superelevation, is the angle of tilt given to the rails to counteract the centripetal forces experienced by the train when moving through curves.

Screws are utilized to fasten the rails to the sleepers. They help in maintaining the rail gauge and also enable adjustments for rail alignment.

Insulated joints are used to interrupt the continuity of the rail for signal systems, creating blocks to detect the presence of trains and control rail traffic.

Baseplates spread the load over a larger area of the sleeper, reduce wear and fatigue, and accommodate different rail profiles and fastening systems.

Ballast tamping is the process of packing ballast under the sleepers to increase the stability of the track, performed during track maintenance.

Fishplates, or joint bars, are used to join two rails together end to end. They ensure continuity and transfer the loads smoothly from one rail to the other.

Derails are devices used to intentionally derail rolling stock before it reaches an area where it could cause damage or injury.

Switches, a part of the turnout system, allow for trains changing tracks. They consist of pairs of tapering rails that can direct trains onto different tracks.

The point machine operates turnouts or switches, responsible for moving the rails to guide trains onto different tracks as dictated by signal controls.

Elastic rail clips exert a constant tension to keep the rail in place against the sleeper, allowing for some movement while maintaining the track's integrity.

Heel blocks are located at the movable end of switch rails and provide support, enabling the proper alignment of the switch.

Guard rails are placed along the outer sides of tracks through curves to guide trains and prevent derailments. They provide an additional safety measure.

The track gauge is the perpendicular distance between the inner faces of the rail heads, ensuring compatibility with rolling stock wheelbases.