slab track

Slab track is a type of railroad track construction that replaces the traditional ballast and sleepers with a continuous reinforced concrete support for the rails. This system is employed in situations where track maintenance is challenging, such as in some tunnels, or where drainage issues are significant.1

The primary advantage of slab track is its ability to maintain accurate track geometry for extended periods with minimal maintenance. However, this benefit comes with higher initial construction and renewal costs compared to ballasted track. Slab track is a monolithic piece of concrete, distinct from a "slab tie," which is a railroad tie made from the outside cut of a log.123