What are railroad tracks made of?
The rails are made of steel. Steel rails DO eventually wear out and have to be replaced. Used rails are sold for scrap, which means they are melted down and re-used in other products. Steel rails rest on ties, which are called “sleepers” in many countries. Ties may be made of wood, steel, or concrete. Wooden ties wear out or rot and have to be replaced. Used wooden ties may be buried or burned, but also may be recycled in the form of fuel pellets or building materials. Concrete ties last much longer and are generally not re-used. Where they must be removed, they may be recycled as building materials. Ties rest on the ground and are stabilized in place by ballast, which is made of crushed limestone or granite. Ballast is not recycled, but tends to settle into the soil eventually, so that it must be replaced to keep the track profile as it should be. Old ballast could be scooped up and re-used, but it usually isn’t because it would cost more than it is worth. Railroads also use wooden an
