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Have you ever wondered about the engineering marvel that carries massive trains at high speeds every day? Railway tracks may seem unremarkable, but they play a crucial role in ensuring train safety and operational efficiency. Let's explore the fascinating world of rail infrastructure.

Railway tracks, commonly referred to simply as "tracks" or "rails," are the components that directly interact with train wheels and enable their movement. These steel pathways not only support and guide train wheels but also withstand tremendous weight and impact forces. Consequently, track design and manufacturing require exceptional precision to guarantee safe and smooth train operations.

To endure massive pressure and wear, tracks are manufactured from high-strength steel. The primary component is iron, enhanced with small amounts of manganese, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, copper, tin, nickel, and chromium. These alloying elements improve the rail's strength, hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion protection.

Track specifications are typically measured by weight per meter, with common standards including 30 kg/m, 37 kg/m, 40 kg/m, 50 kg/m, and 60 kg/m. Higher values indicate heavier rails with greater load-bearing capacity. High-traffic routes typically employ heavier rails to enhance stability, safety, and operational speed while reducing noise, vibration, and improving passenger comfort.

The standard length of rails is called "fixed length." Historically, 30 kg/m rails came in 20-meter lengths, while other specifications used 25-meter segments. Shorter pieces were termed "short rails."

With advancing rail technology, traditional short rails have been largely replaced by continuous welded rails (CWR). Multiple standard-length rails are welded together to create sections exceeding 200 meters - known as "long rails." These offer significant advantages by reducing the number of joints, thereby minimizing vibration and noise while decreasing maintenance requirements. Long rail installation has become standard practice in modern rail construction, with some sections now exceeding 1,000 meters.

However, long rails have limitations. In station switch areas or sharp curves where frequent directional changes occur, traditional segmented rails remain preferable.

Steel rails expand and contract with temperature changes. Calculations show that a 25-meter rail lengthens by approximately 9 mm when temperatures rise from 10°C to 40°C. Since rails are secured to sleepers, actual movement is less pronounced. For long rails, "expansion joints" are installed at endpoints to accommodate thermal movement and prevent deformation.

Beyond main tracks, railroads employ specialized "guard rails" installed inside primary tracks. These safety features guide derailed wheels back onto proper alignment, preventing more serious accidents. Guard rails represent one of several critical safety measures in rail infrastructure.

Rail segments typically connect using "fishplates" (joint bars) and bolts. Fishplates clamp both sides of rail ends, which are then bolted together. Small gaps are maintained at joints to accommodate thermal expansion.

Railway tracks form the foundation of rail transportation and a vital component of railway safety. From material selection to specification standards, and from segmented rails to continuous welded rails, these innovations represent generations of engineering expertise. These unassuming "steel backbones" make possible the safe, efficient, and comfortable rail travel we enjoy today.