What is the permanent way?

The term permanent way refers to the ballasted track. This is what is usually called in the UK the railway track and in the US railroad track.

It encompasses the rails themselves, the sleepers (or ties in the US), fasteners, chairs and ballast as well as the foundations on which the track is built.

The name "permanent way" comes from when railways were being built, temporary rail lines were first built to move equipment, materials and spoil to and from the site. These were called temporary ways.

These were removed as the main railway took shape and the main line was called the permanent way.