A railroad plate and connectable shim are disclosed for fastening railroad tracks over ground having a flat or raised topography in an economically feasible manner. The instant system provides a base plate with a sloping grooved channel for reception of the lower flange of a rail to be held in place in combination with a trapezoidal shim to insure the proper cant of the rail over the various topographical areas of the country. The instant base plate, trapezoidal shim, rail and railroad tie are all fastened via a set of screws which are angled or toed-in towards the center of gravity of the rail. Stepped washers, each possessing a thickened portion, are provided between the bottom of the screw head and the upper shoulder surface of the lower flanges, both inside and outside the central vertical portion of the rail. The washers are omitted in securing back assemblies to the ties where joints are formed between the ends of adjacent rails. When a train wheel engages the crown portion of a straight or flat trackway, where trapezoidal shims are not used, the rail angulates vertically about 3.degree.. On curved trackways however, the trapezoidal shims are included in the rail assembly and the total vertical inclination of the rail is 6.degree.. Thus the train load is substantially balanced between the opposing track rails which prevents shelling and uneven wear of the train wheels and the crown surfaces of the rails contributing to increased longevity for both rails and wheels.