Rail supports are an essential part of railway infrastructure. They are the components that hold the rails in place and provide stability to the track. Cross ties, ties, and cties are all terms used to refer to rail supports. Cross ties are the most common type of rail support and are typically made of wood or concrete. Ties are similar to cross ties but are usually made of metal and are used to join two rails together. Cties are a combination of cross ties and ties and are used to provide extra strength and stability to the track.