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- Rail Cross Section - Early railroads experimented with many rail shapes. The earliest tracks used longitudinal stone or wood stringers capped with iron strap rails, but strap rails worked loose over time. Solid T rail, like the section shown here, quickly proved superior. The head of the rail offered a solid running surface while the foot at bottom provided strength and stability.
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Rail Cross Section
Early railroads experimented with many rail shapes. The earliest tracks used longitudinal stone or wood stringers capped with iron strap rails, but strap rails worked loose over time. Solid T rail, like the section shown here, quickly proved superior. The head of the rail offered a solid running surface while the foot at bottom provided strength and stability.