track
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track / platform
The route for trains, consisting of two parallel steel rails. At a station, it also refers to the platform area for a specific train.
Achtung, der ICE nach Berlin fährt heute von Gleis 12 ab.
Attention, the ICE to Berlin is departing from platform 12 today.
to go off track
In a figurative sense, to lose control of one's life, become psychologically unstable, or stray from the normal, orderly path.
Nach dem plötzlichen Jobverlust ist er emotional völlig aus dem Gleis geraten.
After the sudden loss of his job, he went completely off track emotionally.
to set something right
In a figurative sense, to make sure that something works properly again or develops in a positive direction.
Mit einem klärenden Gespräch versuchten sie, ihre Beziehung wieder in die richtigen Gleise zu lenken.
With a clarifying conversation, they tried to set their relationship back on the right track.
In the station context, the prepositions are important: a train departs 'von Gleis 5' (from platform 5), but arrives 'auf Gleis 5' (on platform 5). The question asking about the location is 'Auf welchem Gleis?' (On which platform?).
Der Zug nach Hamburg fährt heute von Gleis 7.
The train to Hamburg is departing from platform 7 today.
The word 'Gleis' (track/platform) is almost always used in connection with trains and stations. Typical verbs are 'abfahren' (to depart), 'ankommen' (to arrive), 'halten' (to stop), or 'wechseln' (to change).
Wegen einer Weichenstörung müssen wir das Gleis wechseln.
Because of a points failure, we have to change platforms.
The idiom 'aus dem Gleis geraten' (to go off track) describes a loss of control. The person who loses control is the subject of the sentence.
Nach der Trennung ist er für einige Wochen völlig aus dem Gleis geraten.
After the breakup, he went completely off track for a few weeks.
The expression 'etwas in die richtigen Gleise lenken' (to steer something onto the right tracks) means to actively improve a situation. It requires a subject (who is steering) and an accusative object (what is being steered).
Ein Mediator soll den Konflikt wieder in die richtigen Gleise lenken.
A mediator is supposed to set the conflict back on the right track.
train / track
Bahn can generally refer to a designated route. Gleis, by contrast, specifically means the two rails on which a train travels and, at a station, the numbered departure area. With information such as “Gleis 4,” only Gleis is the usual choice.
Der Zug durch das Tal fährt heute von Gleis vier ab.
Today, the train through the valley departs from track four.
Die Bahn des Zuges führt in einer weiten Kurve durch das Tal.
The train’s route follows a wide curve through the valley.
