The corrugated pipe is pretty much a post-WWII development for widespread use. For small scale drainage before that, you would often find treated lumber arranged in a box to carry limited amounts of water under the roadbed.
Such small scale drainage was usually found on branchlines, industrial track, etc. A main line is usually engineered to pass drainage underneath at limited intervals. There, larger corrugated pipes might have formal wings and other structures associated more often with bridges to control the entry and exit of water through them.
But for what it sounds like you remember, it can be as simple as a pipe under the track nestled between the ties and bare at each end. Sorry no pics, just memories.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Growing up I remember walking the tracks and I coming across a. corragated pipe lying between 2 ties that would be a form of drainage I'm looking for pictures of these any help would be appreciated. Thank you