Crossword Genius

They fly or take a train (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rails

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'they fly' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'take a train' is the wordplay.
'take' becomes 'r' (abbreviation for 'recipe', Latin for 'take').
'a train' becomes 'ails' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'r'+'ails'='RAILS'

'or' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rails that I've seen before include "Metal bars of a barrier" , "Makes a protest" , "Water birds" , "Wading birds - dysfunctional person has come off them" , "Barriers of horizontal bars and supports" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail and The Irish News.
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