Permanent way

nounStandard termRailroad

The physical track structure consisting of rails, sleepers, and ballast.

The finished, durable track structure of a railroad, built to carry regular traffic. It includes the subgrade, ballast, ties, rails, and all fastening hardware. The term distinguishes the final operating trackage from temporary construction tracks laid down during the initial building of the line.

Heard on the job

The MOW crew is out replacing ties to keep the permanent way up to class four standards.

Also heard as

  • P-way