LinkedIn CrossClimb #825
Reveal the ladder one rung at a time
1Start here+
RAIL is a metal track and the first half of RAILROAD.
Opening endpoint2Reveal rung 2+
TAIL is the rear appendage that many dogs enthusiastically wag.
RAIL → TAIL changes position 1 from R to T.3Reveal rung 3+
TALL is the opposite of short in height.
TAIL → TALL changes position 3 from I to L.4Reveal rung 4+
TOLL is a charge paid to use a road, bridge, or tunnel.
TALL → TOLL changes position 2 from A to O.5Reveal rung 5+
TOLD is the past tense of tell and appears in the phrase 'I told you so.'
TOLL → TOLD changes position 4 from L to D.6Reveal rung 6+
TOAD is a squat amphibian related to frogs.
TOLD → TOAD changes position 3 from L to A.7Final rung+
ROAD is a route for travel and completes RAILROAD.
TOAD → ROAD changes position 1 from T to R.Reveal the complete answer and endpoint connection
RAIL + ROAD = RAILROAD
Ladder order checked against the public CrossClimb #825 solution record, then independently validated for six one-letter transitions. Meanings, strategy, and commentary on this page are original.
The structural clue
How the ladder gives itself away
TAIL → TALL → TOLL is the cleanest segment. TOLD, TOAD, and ROAD then extend it with changes in the last two positions.
- StepAnchor TAIL, TALL, and TOLL as a three-rung sequence.
- StepExtend downward through TOLD and TOAD until ROAD becomes the only valid endpoint.
- StepAttach RAIL above TAIL and combine the endpoints as RAILROAD.
Every rung explained
RAIL is a metal track and the first half of RAILROAD.
Opening endpointTAIL is the rear appendage that many dogs enthusiastically wag.
RAIL → TAIL changes position 1 from R to T.TALL is the opposite of short in height.
TAIL → TALL changes position 3 from I to L.TOLL is a charge paid to use a road, bridge, or tunnel.
TALL → TOLL changes position 2 from A to O.TOLD is the past tense of tell and appears in the phrase 'I told you so.'
TOLL → TOLD changes position 4 from L to D.TOAD is a squat amphibian related to frogs.
TOLD → TOAD changes position 3 from L to A.ROAD is a route for travel and completes RAILROAD.
TOAD → ROAD changes position 1 from T to R.What this edition teaches
A simple word can still be the troublemaker if its grammatical form is wrong. Check tense and number before rearranging six innocent neighbors to accommodate one guilty answer.
Endpoint result: RAIL + ROAD = RAILROAD.
Continue without losing the plot
Nearby editions: #826 HEAD → SETS · #824 GILD → LILY