This paper refers to the contractual and physical interfaces which exist in any railway system. It focuses in some detail on the wheel-rail interface in relation to the interaction between a railway vehicle and the track. The nature of the contact patch between wheel and rail is examined as well as the manner in which this patch is influenced. Finally the paper discusses rolling contact fatigue of the rail head and how, through effective management, the total rail system can be managed to minimise the effects of wear and tear.