Hard to Find
Describe the material you need and enter the quantity.
ⓘ Identification & Terminology GuideWhen you do not know the part name, location-in-track, dimensions and markings are usually more useful than guessing the terminology.
Open Guide
When you do not know the part name, location-in-track, dimensions and markings are usually more useful than guessing the terminology.
Original MidStates identification schematic. Not to scale and not an installation or engineering drawing.
Unknown Railroad Material — Identification Guide
Where the component was used—ordinary track, joint, switch, turnout, frog, crossing, bridge or other location.
The rail profile associated with the part; often critical for bars, plates, anchors and turnout components.
Stamped, forged, rolled or cast identification that may be more useful than a visual description.
Whether a component is gauge/field, left/right, toe/heel or otherwise directional.
How to identify what you have
- Do not guess the part name if uncertain—describe where it came from and what it touched or connected to.
- Record every marking before cleaning the material.
- Measure overall dimensions plus hole spacing, rail-seat/profile fit or other obvious interfaces.
- Identify the adjacent rail section, turnout number, frog number or crossing type when available.
What to measure
- Overall length/width/height
- Hole diameter and spacing
- Rail/interface dimensions
- Any repeated pattern dimensions
What photos help MidStates
- Full component with scale
- Top/bottom
- Both sides
- Both ends
- All markings
- Installed/context photo if safely available
Common identification mistakes
- Cropping out context
- Sending only a close-up with no scale
- Removing rust/paint in a way that destroys markings
- Guessing left/right or rail section without evidence
Technical references & source notes
Reference for general turnout-component names such as switch point, stock rail, closure rail, heel block, guard rail and frog.
Open authoritative public sourceReference index for rail sections, joint bars, compromise joints, tie plates, switches, turnout components, frogs, guard rails and fasteners.
Open authoritative public sourceReference for rail-section terminology and dimensional identification. MidStates diagrams are original and are not copies of the UP drawing.
Open authoritative public sourceMidStates uses external publications to support technical facts and terminology. The explanatory text, diagrams and presentation on this page are original MidStates content and do not reproduce railroad or AREMA drawings.
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