What is a rail used for?

A steel rail is a long, rolled steel component designed to support and guide the wheels of trains, cranes, and industrial vehicles, providing continuous, stable, and durable track infrastructure.

 

As a trusted supplier, GNEE RAIL provides a wide range of steel rails, including light rails (8–30 kg/m), heavy rails (38–60 kg/m), and specialized crane rails such as QU70/80/100/120 and DIN536 A55–A120. GNEE RAIL also offers customization, technical guidance for installation, and after-sales support to ensure the rails meet the operational requirements of different environments and loads.

 

What is a rail used for?

 

A rail is a precisely engineered steel component that serves as the running surface for trains, cranes, and other rail-guided vehicles. Its primary function is to support and guide wheels, ensuring smooth, stable, and safe movement over a fixed path. Rails also bear heavy loads, distribute weight to the underlying sleepers (ties) and ballast, and maintain alignment under dynamic forces such as acceleration, braking, and lateral pressure from curves.

 

Rails are used in a variety of applications:

 

 

• Railway transportation: Passenger trains, freight trains, subways, and light rail systems rely on rails to provide continuous, low-friction travel surfaces.

 

• Industrial and mining operations: Specialized rails support mining carts, conveyor systems, and industrial locomotives.

 

• Cranes and material handling: Heavy-duty crane rails guide overhead and gantry cranes in factories, ports, and construction sites, where precise alignment and load-bearing are critical.

 

What are the different types of steel rail?

 

Steel rails can be classified into several types based on their application, shape, and international standards. Each type is designed to meet specific load, speed, and operational requirements. Here's a comprehensive overview:

 

1. Train Rails

 

These are the most common rails used for railway transportation, designed to support heavy, high-speed trains. Key features include high wear resistance and precise geometry. International standards include:

 

 

• UIC (Union Internationale des Chemins de fer) rails: UIC50, UIC54, UIC60

 

Standard: UIC860
Size	Dimension(mm)				Weight (kg/m)	Length(m)
	Head	Height	Bottom	Thickness
UIC50	70	152	125	15	50.46	12-25
UIC54	70	159	140	16	54.43
UIC60	74.3	172	150	16.5	60.21

 

• BS (British Standard) rails: Various models under BS11:1985

 

Standard: BS11:1985
Size	Dimension(mm)				Weight (kg/m)	Length(m)
	Head	Height	Bottom	Thickness
50 O	52.39	100.01	100.01	10.32	24.833	6-18
60 A	57.15	114.3	109.54	11.11	30.618
75 A	61.91	128.59	114.3	12.7	37.455	8-25
75 R	61.91	128.59	122.24	13.1	37.041
80 A	63.5	133.35	117.47	13.1	39.761
80 R	63.5	133.35	127	13.49	39.674
90 A	66.67	142.88	127	13.89	45.099
100 A	69.85	152.4	133.35	15.08	50.182
113 A	69.85	158.75	139.7	20	56.398

 

• AREMA/ASCE (American) rails: 25–175 lb/m models

 

ASTM standard, AREMA standard
Size	Dimension(mm)				Weight (kg/m)	Length(m)
	Head	Height	Foot	Thickness
ASCE 25	38.1	69.85	69.85	7.54	12.4	6-12
ASCE 30	42.86	79.38	79.38	8.33	14.88
ASCE 40	47.62	88.9	88.9	9.92	19.84
ASCE 60	60.32	107.95	107.95	12.3	29.76
ASCE 75	62.71	122.24	122.24	13.49	37.2	12-25
ASCE 85	65.09	131.76	131.76	14.29	42.17
ASCE 90	69.09	130.18	142.88	14.29	44.65
ASCE 115	69.06	139.7	168.28	15.88	56.9
ASCE 136	74.61	152.4	185.74	17.46	67.41
ASCE 175	109.86	152.4	152.4	38.1	86.8

 

• JIS (Japanese) rails: 15KG, 22KG, 30A, 37A, 50N, CR73, CR100

 

Standard: JIS E 1103/1101
Size	Dimension(mm)				Weight (kg/m)	Length(m)
	Head	Height	Bottom	Thickness
JIS 15KG	42.86	79.37	79.37	8.33	15.2	9-10
JIS 22KG	50.8	93.66	93.66	10.72	22.3	9-10
JIS 30A	60.33	107.95	107.95	12.3	30.1	9-10
JIS 37A	62.71	122.24	122.24	13.49	37.2	10-25
JIS 50N	65	153	127	15	50.4	10-25

 

• AS (Australian) rails: 31KG, 47KG, 50KG, 60KG, 68KG, 73KG, 86KG, 89KG

 

Standard: AS 1085
Size	Dimension(mm)				Weight (kg/m)	Length(m)
	Head	Height	Bottom	Thickness
31KG	63.5	117.5	108	11.5	31.5	8-25
47KG	70	141.3	127	14.3	46.5
50KG	70	154	127	15	50.8
60KG	70	170	146	16.5	61
68KG	73.4	186	152	17.5	67.6
73KG	70	157	146	32	73.63
86KG	102	102	165	84.11	85.5
89KG	102	114	178	51	89.81

 

2. Crane Rails

 

Crane rails are designed for overhead cranes, gantry cranes, and industrial handling systems, where precise alignment and high load capacity are critical. Common types include:

 

 

• DIN 536 rails: A55, A65, A75, A100, A120

 

Standard：DIN 536
Size	Dimension(mm)				Weight (kg/m)	Length(m)
	Head	Height	Bottom	Thickness
A55	55	65	150	31	31.8	10-12
A55	65	75	175	38	43.1
A75	75	85	200	45	56.2
A100	100	95	200	60	74.3
A120	120	105	200	72	100

 

• QU rails: QU70, QU80, QU100, QU120

 

Classification		Height(mm)	Head (mm)	Bottom (mm)	Thick(mm)	Weight (kg/m)
Crane Rail	QU 70	120	70	120	28	52.8
	QU 80	130	80	130	32	63.69
	QU 100	150	100	150	38	88.96
	QU 120	170	120	170	44	118.1

 

Crane rails typically have U71Mn steel for high wear resistance and toughness. GNEE RAIL provides matching clips, pads, and welding solutions for safe and durable crane rail installations.

 

3. Mining Rails

 

Special rails used in mining operations support heavy carts, low-speed locomotives, and harsh environments. They often have reinforced heads and customized lengths to fit tunnels or narrow-gauge tracks.

 

 

Classification		Height(mm)	Head (mm)	Bottom (mm)	Thick(mm)	Weight (kg/m)
Light Rail	8 KG/M	65	25	54	7	8.42
	9 KG/M	63.5	32.1	63.5	5.9	8.94
	12 KG/M	69.85	38.1	69.85	7.54	12.2
	15 KG/M	79.37	42.86	79.37	8.33	15.2
	18 KG/M	80	40	80	10	18.06
	22 KG/M	93.66	50.8	93.66	10.72	22.3
	24 KG/M	107	51	90	10.9	24.46
	30 KG/M	107.95	60.33	107.95	12.3	30.1

 

4. Specialty Rails

 

• Light rail / tramway rails: Typically 8–30 kg/m, suitable for urban transit

 

• High-strength or alloy rails: Designed for extreme wear or high-speed applications

 

For each type, GNEE RAIL offers a full range of supporting products, including rail fasteners, pads, spikes, and custom-length rails, along with technical guidance for installation and maintenance, ensuring a complete one-stop rail system solution.