The invention relates to a rail module (1) having rail portions (2) and having a linear drive for moving a rail-bound carriage. The linear drive has at least one drive module (4) which can be brought into operative connection with at least one reaction element. Here, the reaction element is secured, independently of the drive module (4), to the carriage in a drive region and the drive module (4) is arranged fixedly in relation to the rail module (1). When the rail module (1) is used as intended, the rail-bound carriage can be moved along at least a first or a second movement axis. The invention also relates to a rail transport system made up of at least two of the rail modules.