Rail fastening system

Elements of a baseplate-based rail fastening system
  1. Screw for fixing plate to sleeper
  2. Elastomeric pad supporting rail
  3. Tension washer
  4. Rail clamp
  5. Tensioning bolt (nut not shown)
  6. Baseplate
Unimog pushing a "Spindle Precision Wrenching Unit" used for automatic and synchronous tightening and loosening of rail fastenings
Mabbett Railway Chair Manufacturing Company share certificate (1867)

A rail fastening system is a means of fixing rails to railroad ties (North America) or sleepers (British Isles, Australasia, and Africa). The terms rail anchors, tie plates, chairs and track fasteners are used to refer to parts or all of a rail fastening system. The components of a rail fastening system may also be known collectively as other track material, or OTM for short. Various types of fastening have been used over the years.