Rails
Steel rails guide the wheels and carry enormous vertical and lateral forces.
Ties
Wood, concrete, or composite ties hold the rails at the correct spacing and transfer loads into the ballast.
Ballast
Crushed stone drains water, distributes loads, and helps keep the track aligned.
Gauge
Standard gauge in most of North America is 4 feet 8½ inches between the rails.
Switches
Switches allow trains to move from one track to another using movable points and a crossing area called a frog.
Grades and curves
Steep grades increase the power needed to move a train, while curves add resistance and affect speed and train handling.
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