What Are Steel Rails? Profiles, Standards and Materials

What Are Steel Rails?

Steel rails are precision-engineered steel sections that form the main load-bearing and guiding component of railway and rail-guided systems. They provide a hard, smooth running surface for wheels, carry heavy vertical and lateral loads, and transmit those forces to the sleepers, fasteners, ballast or concrete foundations. In both transportation and industrial environments, steel rails are the structural backbone of the entire track system.

Structure of a Rail

A steel rail has a specific cross-section consisting of three parts. The head is designed to resist wear and contact fatigue from the wheels. The web transfers bending and shear stresses between head and foot. The base (foot) spreads the load to the fastening system and the supporting structure. This I-shaped profile allows rails to withstand extremely high contact stress while maintaining precise alignment over long distances.

How Rails Are Classified

Rail type is classified by kilograms per metre of length, because weight correlates with strength and load capacity. Chinese railway rails are typically 75, 60, 50, 43 and 38 kg/m; light rails cover 8-30 kg/m; crane rails include QU70-QU120 and DIN 536 A-series.

Family	Sections	Typical Use
Light rail	8, 9, 12, 15, 18, 22, 24, 30 kg/m	Mining, industrial sidings, temporary tracks
Heavy rail	38, 43, 50, 60, 75 kg/m	Mainline freight and passenger railways
Crane rail	QU70-QU120; DIN 536 A45-A150	Overhead and gantry crane runways

GB Standard Rails

Section	Height (mm)	Head (mm)	Bottom (mm)	Weight (kg/m)
8 kg/m	65	25	54	8.42
12 kg/m	69.85	38.1	69.85	12.2
22 kg/m	93.66	50.8	93.66	22.3
30 kg/m	107.95	60.33	107.95	30.1
38 kg/m	134	68	114	38.73
43 kg/m	140	70	114	44.65
50 kg/m	152	70	132	51.51
60 kg/m	176	73	150	60.64
QU70 crane	120	70	120	52.8
QU80 crane	130	80	130	63.69
QU100 crane	150	100	150	88.96
QU120 crane	170	120	170	118.1

JIS Standard Rails (JIS E 1103 / 1101)

Section	Head (mm)	Height (mm)	Bottom (mm)	Weight (kg/m)
JIS 15 kg	42.86	79.37	79.37	15.2
JIS 22 kg	50.8	93.66	93.66	22.3
JIS 30A	60.33	107.95	107.95	30.1
JIS 37A	62.71	122.24	122.24	37.2
JIS 50N	65	153	127	50.4
CR73 crane	100	135	140	73.3
CR100 crane	120	150	155	100.2

DIN 536 Crane Rails

DIN 536 is the German standard for crane rails, using the A-series designation. DIN 536 crane rails are designed for concentrated wheel loads and side thrust on crane runways.

Section	Head (mm)	Height (mm)	Bottom (mm)	Weight (kg/m)
A55	55	65	150	31.8
A65	65	75	175	43.1
A75	75	85	200	56.2
A100	100	95	200	74.3
A120	120	105	200	100

Rail Steel Materials

Steel rails are made from high-strength carbon or alloy rail steels such as U71Mn, U75V, R260 and R350HT, which are much stronger and more wear-resistant than ordinary structural steel. These materials are selected to resist fatigue cracking, plastic deformation, impact loading and surface wear under repeated train or crane wheel loads.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between light, heavy and crane rails?

Light rails (8-30 kg/m) suit low axle loads and temporary tracks; heavy rails (38-75 kg/m) carry mainline traffic; crane rails (QU and DIN 536 series) have wide flat heads for concentrated crane wheel loads. The section design follows the load case.

2. What is the difference between UIC 860 and EN 13674-1?

UIC 860 is the older International Union of Railways leaflet defining profiles such as UIC54 and UIC60. EN 13674-1 is the current European standard that supersedes it with profiles such as 54E1 and 60E1 and the R-series steel grades. Most modern orders are written to EN 13674-1.

3. Which steel grade should a crane rail use?

Crane rails are commonly supplied in U71Mn or 900A-class steel. The key is high compressive strength and consistent straightness, because crane wheels apply concentrated loads with very little rolling wear.

4. Can rails be supplied in long welded strings?

Yes. Rails can be flash-butt welded into long strings for continuous welded rail, or supplied in standard fixed lengths for jointed track. Welding procedures must be qualified for the grade.

5. What lengths are steel rails supplied in?

Typical delivery lengths are 12.5 m and 25 m for heavy rail, 6-12 m for light rail, and 9-25 m depending on the standard. Random lengths within the standard range are also available, plus cut-to-length and drilled options.

6. Do you supply rails together with fastening systems?

Yes. Steel rails are supplied with matching clips, pads, baseplates and shoulders so the complete track package is matched to the rail profile and the project standard.