rail spike
Secures railroad ties
A rail spike is a large nail used to fasten railroad rails to wooden ties.
The spike has a broad head and a chisel-like point, driven into the tie at an angle to clamp the rail's base flange.
Rail spikes are driven with a spike maul—a heavy, specialized hammer.
The crew spent the morning driving rail spikes.
Path or monitored route
- tieEqual score, or neckwear
- sleeperOne at rest
- ballastShip stability material
- tracklayingConstructing railway lines
gauge · locomotive · freight · junction · crossing · signal · switchyard · derailment
Metal fastener or keratin plate
- boltThreaded rod for nuts
- anchorSecures ships to seabed
- rivetHeaded pin hammered flat
- clampDevice for holding tight
washer · nut · clip · peg · connector · coupler · binder · joiner
Element twenty-six
- steelCarbon-hardened iron alloy
- forgedMade by smithing, or faked
- galvanizedStimulated into sudden activity
- carbon steelIron-based metal alloy
alloy · corrosion · rust · hardened · tempered · wrought · malleable · heat-treated
Resistance to wear
- hardnessResistance to penetration
- rigidityState of being unbending
- toughnessResilient durability under strain
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
stability · tensile strength · load-bearing · weatherproof · longevity
Tool for striking nails
- sledgehammerMassive long-handled mallet
- maulAttack with brutal force
- claw barHooked nail-extraction lever
- pullerOne who draws toward
removal · extraction · driven · seated · clinched
track
Path or monitored route
tracklaying · gauge · locomotive · freight · junction · crossing · signal · switchyard · derailment · coupler
nail
Metal fastener or keratin plate
clamp · washer · nut · clip · peg · connector · coupler · binder · joiner · pin
iron
Element twenty-six
- steelCarbon-hardened iron alloy
- forgedMade by smithing, or faked
- galvanizedStimulated into sudden activity
carbon steel · alloy · corrosion · rust · hardened · tempered · wrought · malleable · heat-treated · oxidized
durability
Resistance to wear
- hardnessResistance to penetration
- rigidityState of being unbending
- toughnessResilient durability under strain
resilience · stability · tensile strength · load-bearing · weatherproof · longevity
hammer
Tool for striking nails
- sledgehammerMassive long-handled mallet
- maulAttack with brutal force
- claw barHooked nail-extraction lever