third rail A third rail, also known as a live rail, electric rail or conductor rail, is a method of providing electric power to a railway locomotive or train, through a semi-continuous rigid conductor placed alongside or between the rails of a railway t ...

is an extra rail used for supplying electricity to trains. Third rail may also refer to: *

Third rail (model railroading) The use of a third rail in rail transport modelling is a technique that was once applied, in order to facilitate easier wiring. Early train sets Pre-war train sets from makers such as Hornby were almost entirely O gauge, either clockwork or ele ...

, in rail transport modelling, a technique that is sometimes applied in order to facilitate easier wiring *The extra rail on a

dual gauge In railway engineering, "gauge" is the transverse distance between the inner surfaces of the heads of two rails, which for the vast majority of railway lines is the number of rails in place. However, it is sometimes necessary for track to c ...

railway * "Third Rail" (song), a 1993 song by Squeeze *

Third rail of politics The third rail of a nation's politics is a metaphor for any issue so controversial that it is "charged" and "untouchable" to the extent that any politician or public official who dares to broach the subject will invariably suffer politically. The ...

, a political metaphor * ''The Third Rail'' (magazine), an online magazine about transportation *

The Third Rail (band) The Third Rail was an American pop/rock group, briefly popular in the 1960s, made up of studio musicians. The group had three members: Arthur Resnick, Kris Resnick (Arthur's wife), and Joey Levine. Arthur had spent years writing Brill Building pop ...

, an American pop group *''

Emergency Third Rail Power Trip ''Emergency Third Rail Power Trip'' is the debut album by American rock band Rain Parade, released in 1983. It is one of the most prominent records in the Paisley Underground movement of the 1980s. Critical reception In a contemporary review ...

'', an album by Rain Parade *

Third Rail (TV series) ''Third Rail'' is a Singaporean English-language drama produced by Ochre Pictures and distributed by Mediacorp. The first two episodes premiered on MeWATCH on 17 October 2022, with two new episodes added every Monday. The series began airing on ...

, a Singaporean TV drama series * Third Rail (MLS supporters association), an independent supporters' group for New York City FC *Third Rail Releasing, a distribution banner of

The Weinstein Company The Weinstein Company (usually credited or abbreviated as TWC) was an American independent film studio, founded in New York City by Bob and Harvey Weinstein in March 2005. TWC was one of the largest mini-major film studios in North America prior ...

* ''The Third Rail'' (album), a 1996 album by Railroad Jerk * A

Guard rail (rail) In rail transport, guard rails or check rails are rails used in the construction of the track, placed parallel to regular running rail to keep the wheels of rolling stock in alignment to prevent derailment. They are generally used along areas ...

, used to prevent a train from derailing.

See also