Tramway track is used on tramways or light rail operations. As with standard rail tracks, tram tracks have two parallel steel rails, the distance between the heads of the rails being the track gauge. When there is no need for pedestrians or road vehicles to traverse the track, conventional flat-bottom rail is used. However, when such traffic exists, such as in urban streets, grooved rails are used.
Grooved-rail gauntlet track
Grassed track
Light rail tracks with concrete railroad ties (sleepers)
Joining tram tracks using an exothermic weld
A tram is a type of urban rail transit consisting of a rail vehicle, either individual railcars or self-propelled trains coupled by a multiple unit, that runs on tramway tracks on urban public streets; some include segments on segregated right-of-way. The tramlines or networks operated as public transport are called tramways or simply trams/streetcars. Many recently built tramways use the contemporary term light rail.
With more than 14,000 units built, Tatra T3 is the most widely produced tram model in history.
Zürich tram multiple-unit train.
Melbourne E-Class Tram. The Melbourne tram network is the largest in the world, with 250 km (160 mi) of track.
A horse-drawn tram operated by Swansea and Mumbles Railway, 1870. Established in 1804, the railway service was the world's first.