Keywords:

Degree of Curve      :           The angle subtended at the centre by a chord of 100 ft (30.5 m) length.

Super-elevation (cant)        :           The raising of the outer rail to counteract centrifugal forces on curves.

Gradient        :           The rate of change of vertical alignment of a railway line.

Permanent Way       :           The earthen formation and track structure of a railway line.

Gauge            :           The separation distance between two rails of a track.

Broad Gauge (BG)   :           A gauge of 1.676 m, commonly used in India.

Formation     :           The earthwork supporting a railway track.

Ballast            :           Layer of broken stone between the sleeper and the formation.

Sleeper          :           Part of the track on which rails rest.

Sleeper Density       :           The number of sleepers per unit length of the rail.

Rail     :           Part of the Permanent Way on which the wheels move.

Flat-footed Rail        :           The rail section with a flat foot commonly used in India.

Fish-plate      :           The fastening to hold two rails together.

Creep :           The forward movement of rails in the direction of dominant movement of traffic over a period of time.

Triangle         :           A track arrangement for turning the engineers.

Gathering Lines       :           A track arrangement whereby a number of parallel tracks merge.