Rail racing existed in the UK from the late 1920s, often as electric powered, multi lane, public attractions. It was dissatisfaction with the way that tethered car racing was developing in the the UK during the late 1940s that led numerous individual and clubs to develop rail tracks, both indoor and outdoor. There was a very stark difference between the UK and US rail tracks though. Here they were relatively compact with raised single rails for guides under the cars, which used small diesel motors, up to 1cc.

In the US, as can be seen here, they were outdoors, often in pleasure parks or industrial sites, much longer and heavily banked ovals and with the roller bearing rail guides mounted on the left hand side of the cars. The cars were full on 10cc tether cars, mostly with newly cast pans that incorporated mounts for the rail guides. The multi lane racing in both cases was significantly more interesting for both competitors and spectators as there was actually a 'race' in progress.

Rail tracks in the UK continued for many years, being a regular feature at the annual Model Engineer Exhibition where the exhaust fumes from multiple diesel engines running had to be experienced to be understood. Until just a few years ago, a portable rail track could be found at Old Warden and  model  and other associated events being run by Bill Langley and Carlo Gandolfi.

As an aside, the design of rails and rail guides in the UK was the subject of a protracted legal dispute resolved by clubs having to pay a licence fee to Albon Adams for using his 'Zonker' and rail configuration.

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