Answers.Body: <p>The larger hole is present in older 9V track as well:</p>
  
  <p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/A1KtD.jpg" alt="9v curved track"></p>
  
  <p>I've never actually done this, but I've always assumed that the hole is there so that the track can be screwed or nailed down if desired to create a semi-permanent layout. This is common practice with traditional model railroad track:</p>
  
  <p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/8NvSg.png" alt="HO track with nails"></p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-12-17T05:19:18.987Z
Answers.Text: I'm fairly confident that's the reason. There was a hole in [12v gray sleepers](http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=767) as well, by the way.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Joubarc
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-12-17T10:33:32.633Z
Answers.Text: I suppose it makes sense with the curved rail pieces since they don't clutch directly on to a baseplate in the way straight pieces do. It
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ambo100
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-12-17T14:08:55.503Z
Answers.Text: Given that even a large track layout doesn't weigh much, and the train itself does, the track can slip around quite a bit as the train goes around corners, unless the track is secured to the surface or weighted down with attachments. I am fairly sure that this is what that hole is for. It's even tapered, to fit a screw head or nail head flush.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Mr. Shiny and New 安宇
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-12-17T21:50:35.770Z
Answers.Text: Yeah, the countersunk nature of the hole makes me pretty certain this is for screws/nails.  Not sure why I didn't think of it earlier :)
Answers.UserDisplayName: Josh B
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-01-08T23:35:24.027Z
Answers.Text: The countersinking does as said give the likely reason. Interestingly (or not) I noted a picture of a piece of track via LDdaw in another question and you could just about make out the fact the central hole on that generated image was countersunk too.
Answers.UserDisplayName: AndyF
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-03-23T12:03:58.150Z
Answers.Text: @Mr.ShinyandNew安宇 try making a circle and running even a single citytrain on full speed - if your floor/table is smooth enough, the train will just spin mostly in place with the track flying around, it's quite funny to watch but definitely not the point :)
Answers.UserDisplayName: htmlcoderexe
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Answers.CreationDate: 2013-12-17T01:23:11.793Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2013-12-17T01:56:26.830Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2013-12-17T01:56:26.830Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: jncraton
Body: <p>LEGO train tracks have 3 holes in each of the segments:</p>
  
  <p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/pXYow.jpg" alt="Train Tracks"></p>
  
  <p>I understand the two outer holes are used with a throw-away piece to keep  them stacked while shipping, but what is the center hole for? Is it just for saving a bit of plastic? Or perhaps just a planned 'shipping' feature that was never used?</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2013-12-17T05:19:51.397Z
Comments.Text: Throw-away piece? Throw-away piece? You don't throw away LEGO parts!!!
Comments.UserDisplayName: Joubarc
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2013-12-17T07:06:22.010Z
Comments.Text: Indeed, you keep those pieces to keep your rail bits in line in storage.
Comments.UserDisplayName: gev
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2013-12-17T21:49:33.047Z
Comments.Text: I bet you keep the bit in the middle of the coin sprue too :) .  Seriously though, use a longer metal piece to hold more tracks together.  The plastic holder is just a waste of space, and seeing as it's crimped on the end it *looks* bitten.  No bite marks in my collection thank you.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Josh B
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2014-01-23T15:04:59.973Z
Comments.Text: I'm just saying, I used on of these in a MOC once.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Joubarc
Tags: <trains>
Title: What is the centre hole for in modern train tracks?
UserDisplayName: Josh B
ThreadText: # What is the centre hole for in modern train tracks?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2013-12-16)
  
  LEGO train tracks have 3 holes in each of the segments:
  
  ![Train Tracks](https://i.sstatic.net/pXYow.jpg)
  
  I understand the two outer holes are used with a throw-away piece to keep them stacked while shipping, but what is the center hole for? Is it just for saving a bit of plastic? Or perhaps just a planned 'shipping' feature that was never used?
  
  **Tags:** trains
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: Throw-away piece? Throw-away piece? You don't throw away LEGO parts!!!  
  > **username_2**: Indeed, you keep those pieces to keep your rail bits in line in storage.  
  > **username_0**: I bet you keep the bit in the middle of the coin sprue too :) .  Seriously though, use a longer metal piece to hold more tracks together.  The plastic holder is just a waste of space, and seeing as it's crimped on the end it *looks* bitten.  No bite marks in my collection thank you.  
  > **username_1**: I'm just saying, I used on of these in a MOC once.  
  
  ---
  
  ## 1 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_3 on 2013-12-17. Score: 18 | Accepted answer
  
  The larger hole is present in older 9V track as well:
  
  ![9v curved track](https://i.sstatic.net/A1KtD.jpg)
  
  I've never actually done this, but I've always assumed that the hole is there so that the track can be screwed or nailed down if desired to create a semi-permanent layout. This is common practice with traditional model railroad track:
  
  ![HO track with nails](https://i.sstatic.net/8NvSg.png)
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: I'm fairly confident that's the reason. There was a hole in [12v gray sleepers](http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=767) as well, by the way.  
  > **username_4**: I suppose it makes sense with the curved rail pieces since they don't clutch directly on to a baseplate in the way straight pieces do. It  
  > **username_5**: Given that even a large track layout doesn't weigh much, and the train itself does, the track can slip around quite a bit as the train goes around corners, unless the track is secured to the surface or weighted down with attachments. I am fairly sure that this is what that hole is for. It's even tapered, to fit a screw head or nail head flush.  
  > **username_0**: Yeah, the countersunk nature of the hole makes me pretty certain this is for screws/nails.  Not sure why I didn't think of it earlier :)  
  > **username_6**: The countersinking does as said give the likely reason. Interestingly (or not) I noted a picture of a piece of track via LDdaw in another question and you could just about make out the fact the central hole on that generated image was countersunk too.  
  > **username_7**: @username_5 try making a circle and running even a single citytrain on full speed - if your floor/table is smooth enough, the train will just spin mostly in place with the track flying around, it's quite funny to watch but definitely not the point :)  
  
  ---
  
  