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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.
