trackbed

Etymology

From track + bed (“place, or flat surface or layer, on which something else rests or is laid”).

noun

1. The layer of gravel or other foundation on which a railway track is laid.
   Given a mandate to build a new railway from the trackbed up, the Japanese have seized an unprecedented opportunity, not only to apply to its equipment their immense technological resources, but to incorporate in its operational scheme the Utopian concepts which those modernising an existing line can at best realise partially. 1963 October, G[eoffrey] Freeman Allen, R. K. Evans, “The Japanese National Railways and the New Tokaido Line”, in Modern Railways, Shepperton, Surrey: Ian Allan Publishing, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 238
   The Bicester–Bletchley section is being rebuilt on the alignment of the line that closed to passengers in 1968. Since 2019, the track bed and bridges have been rebuilt, and this work is mostly complete. 7 September 2022, “East–West track laying heads westwards”, in Rail, number 965, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire: Bauer Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 36
2. (loosely) The land on which a railway (especially one that has been closed or dismantled) was built; the roadbed for a railroad.
   Holonym: right of way
   The trackbed of the majority of the ten miles from Padstow to Boscarne Junction is still intact and used as a cycle way, although the section where the railway once went through Wadebridge has been lost to development. 2017 March, “What if These Lost Lines Hadn’t Closed at All?”, in Rail, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire: Bauer Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2022-05-16
   Just before Bloworth Crossing, you'll walk a short distance along the trackbed of the old mineral railway that connected the ironstone mines at Rosedale with the blast furnaces of Middlesbrough. 2019, Alan Staniforth, “Clay Bank to Kildale”, in Cleveland Way (Official National Trail Guide), revised edition, London: Aurum Press, in association with Walk Unlimited, part 2, page 64
   Darcy Lever: Bolton Council has rejected a plan to build 112 homes across the trackbed of the former Bury line. It is concerned that it would prevent any future extension of Manchester Metrolink, and chip away at green space land. July 26 2023, Howard Johnston, “Regional News: North West”, in RAIL, number 988, page 28