"This article is about devices used to fasten rail to railroad ties (sleepers), for devices used to join lengths of rail see Fishplate\"Rail spike\" redirects here. For the Transformer, see Railspike.A rail fastening system is a means of fixing rails to railroad ties (United States) or sleepers (international). The terms rail anchors, tie plates, chairs and track fasteners are used to refer to parts or all of a rail fastening system. Various types of fastening have been used over the years."@en . . .