rail joint

Fasteners joining the ends of rails.

nut

Hollow cylinder of metal whose lining is threaded to screw onto a corresponding bolt.

fishplate

Long steel plate that is fitted into the two sides of the rail webs to join them end to end.

fishplate bolt

Bolt-and-screw assembly that fastens a fishplate to rails.

dating nail

Nail attached to a tie that bears the two last numbers of the year in which the tie was laid.

tie plate

Metal plate placed between the rail head and the tie that helps to distribute the weight of the train on the tie.

running surface

Top of the rail head on which the train wheels roll.

spike

Large nail with a hooked head that fastens the base of the rail to the tie.

expansion space

Space left between two joining rails to absorb expansion due to heat.