rack rail

noun

(in an inclined-plane or mountain-climbing railway) a rail between the running rails having cogs or teeth with which cogwheels on the locomotive engage.

Origin of rack rail

First recorded in 1830–40

The cog-wheel on this latter shaft worked in a rack-rail placed in the centre of the track.
Illustrated Catalogue of Locomotives | M. Baird, et. al..
He obtained a patent, in 1811, for the application of a rack-rail.
The Steam Engine Explained and Illustrated (Seventh Edition) | Dionysius Lardner
From this point until the other side of the Andes is reached part of the way is covered by the use of a rack rail.
The Amazing Argentine | John Foster Fraser
It was also very apt to get off the rack-rail, and then it stood still.
Lives of the Engineers | Samuel Smiles

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