What does chemins-der-fer mean in English?

Answer 1

Railroad / railway: literally "iron roads"

also can mean train track

I'm french so my english is not so good.

In french "le chemins de fer" means all the structure of railways includind administration, rolling materials, railways etc ... Often uses for historic description more written than used (written press, railway's book etc..).

For example in this french citation: "le chemin de fer a permis le désenclavement des petits village de l'arrière pays"

Other expression: "La voie de chemin de fer" means the railways the iron rails with wood "traverses" (don't know the english word.

It's an old expression not often used now french people prefer "La voie ferrée"

Sorry for english faults !

Answer 2

le chemin (masc.) is the road, the way, the route in French.
le chemin (masc.) is the road, the way, the route in French.

Answer 3

chemin means road, route, way in French.