3 Main Components of a Railway Track

Railway News:
In November 5, 1993, 23 years ago, the Railways Bill finally received Royal Assent and has become a law.

A railway track is structure that has 3 main components such as railway sleepers, railway fishplates and railway spikes. Apart from providing a dependable surface for the train wheels, here are the main functions of these components.

Railway Sleepers

New railway sleepers are the most important railway component. They are also called railroad ties or crossties. The main function of railway sleepers is to keep the correct distance of gauge. The sleepers are laid between two rail tracks.

Railway Fishplates

Also called as a rail joint bar or splice bar. A railway fishplate is a metal bar bolted to the ends of two rail tracks to keep them parallel to each other. It is an important connection between two rails. A railway fishplate consists of three parts: the fish bolt, flat washer and spring washer.

Railway Spikes

A railway spike commonly has an offset head. This component is used to secure rails and base plates to the railway sleeper on the track. While the main function of railway sleepers is to keep the correct distance of gauge; railway spikes keep the correct position of the gauge.

To make up the whole railway track, there are other minor components needed. All these are important and significant to have a normal operation in railway transportation.