How Tall Is a 136 Pound Rail? 136RE Dimensions and Specifications

The 136 pound rail (also known as 136RE rail or AREMA 136RE rail) is a heavy-duty steel rail section widely used in mainline railway tracks, heavy-haul routes and industrial mining railroads. The 136 lb refers to its linear weight of 136 pounds per yard, which is about 67.5 kg/m. The profile is defined by AREMA (American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association) and is one of the most common rail sections in North America.

How tall is a 136 pound rail?

A 136-pound rail (136RE) is 185.74 mm tall, which equals 7 5/16 inches. The base width is 152.4 mm (6 inches) and the head width is 74.61 mm (2 15/16 inches). These are the standard AREMA dimensions for the 136RE section.

136RE rail dimensions

Why 136RE is the workhorse section

The 136 lb rail offers an excellent balance of strength, wear resistance and stability, making it the preferred choice for high-speed passenger lines and heavy freight corridors. Its 152.4 mm base gives a stable seating on the tie plate, and the wide head (74.61 mm) provides good wheel-rail contact area that resists head wear and shelling under heavy axle loads. AREMA specifies several steel grades for 136RE, including standard carbon, intermediate-hardness and head-hardened grades; the standard grade is often specified as IS (intermediate strength) or SS (standard strength) depending on the railway's fatigue and wear requirements.

How 136RE compares with other sections

In the same AREMA family, 115RE is lighter (56.9 kg/m) and shorter, while 132RE (65.31 kg/m) and 141RE are close alternatives to 136RE. The 136RE is popular because it delivers near-141RE capacity at slightly lower section weight, reducing steel cost per kilometer while keeping fatigue strength for heavy-haul duty.

FAQ

What does the RE in 136RE mean?

RE stands for Railway Engineering - it is the AREMA section designation system. The number 136 is the nominal weight in pounds per yard. The RE suffix distinguishes AREMA sections from older ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) sections with the same nominal weight but different geometry.

Is 136RE the same as 67.5 kg/m rail?

136 lb/yd converts to approximately 67.5 kg/m, so the sections are often described interchangeably in metric documentation. However, the exact dimensions are fixed by the AREMA 136RE profile drawing, so always check the section drawing rather than converting the weight.

What length is 136RE rail supplied in?

Standard rolled lengths are commonly 12-25 m (40-80 ft), depending on the mill and transport constraints. Rails can be supplied in longer welded strings or cut to length per project requirement.

Which fastening system fits 136RE rail?

Any system matching the 152.4 mm rail foot: tie-plate and spike fastening for timber sleepers, or elastic clip systems with the correct shoulder, pad and insulator for concrete sleepers. The pad and clip must be specified for the 136RE foot profile.

What steel grades are available for 136RE?

AREMA grades include standard carbon, intermediate hardness, head-hardened and low-alloy options. The choice depends on traffic: standard carbon for general service, head-hardened for heavy haul and tight curves where wear is the limiting factor.

Can 136RE be joined to other rail sections?

Yes, using compromise fish plates - for example 136RE to 115RE or 136RE to 132RE - where the joint bar has the foot profile of each rail on its respective side. Insulated versions are available for track-circuit boundaries.