Railroad Rail | Section Specifications Of Train Track Rails

Railroad rail, railroad track, or train track rail, is a key component of railroad systems. Most of the railroads are constructed by two parallel rails laying on railroad ties. Railroad rails nowadays are mainly made of steel through a series of manufacturing processes. It can undertake much more loads than ordinary metal products due to the extremely high strength. Thus, trains can get a stable and smooth surface to roll upon.

Rail section size

Modern railroad rails have an “I-beam” shape cross-section. The main parameters of the rail section include the rail height, the width of the head, the width of the base, the thickness of the web. Different types of rails can be recognized according to the rail section and rail weight.

50kg/m rail

60kg/m rail

75kg/m rail

Typical railroad rail section specification

Item	Unit	CHN 75kg Rail	CHN 60kg Rail	CHN 50kg Rail	CHN 45kg Rail
Weight per meter	kg	74.414	60.64	51.514	44.653
Rail height	mm	192	176	152	140
Width of base	mm	150	150	132	111
Height of head	mm	55.3	48.5	42	42
Width of head	mm	75	73	70	70
Thickness of web	mm	20	16.5	15.5	14.5
Sectional area	cm²	95.073	77.45	65.8	57
the distance between the center of gravity and rail base	mm	88	81	71	69
moment of inertia on horizontal axis	cm⁴	4490	3217	2037	1489
moment of inertia on vertical axis	cm⁴	665	524	377	260
Lower section coefficient	cm³	509	396	287	217
Upper section coefficient	cm³	432	339	251	208
Bottom transverse flexibility section coefficient	cm³	89	70	57	46

Rail section size of Chinese GB standard rails

Typical chemical composition of railroad rail (%)

Rail Grade	C	Si	Mn	P	S	Al	V	Tensile Strength (Mpa)	Elongation (%)
U71Mn	0.65~0.76	0.15~0.35	1.10~1.40	≤0.025	≤0.04	—	0.03	883	8
U71MnSi	0.65~0.75	0.85~1.15	1.10~1.15	≤0.04	≤0.04	≤	≤	883	8
U75V	0.71~0.78	0.50~0.70	0.75~1.05	≤0.025	0.008~0.025	0.004	0.04~0.08	900
UIC 900A	0.60~0.80	0.10~0.50	0.80~1.30	≤0.040	≤0.040	—	—	880~1030	10
TGV	0.60~0.80	0.10~0.50	0.80~1.30	≤0.035	≤0.030	≤0.004	—
EN	0.60~0.82	0.13~0.60	0.65~1.25	≤0.030	≤0.030	≤0.004	—
JIS 1101	0.63~0.75	0.15~0.30	0.70~1.10	≤0.030	≤0.025	—	—

Note：EN-European Standard; JIE1101-Japanese Industry Standard 1101-1993

Rail size tolerance and flatness requirements

The size tolerance and flatness of the rail section are also an important indicator of rail quality. If the cross-sectional size deviation is too large and the straightness is poor, it is difficult to lay high-quality railroad tracks. To ensure the stability of the train operation, the geometry and position of the track are required to be stable. To achieve this, high-precision dimensions and high straightness of the rail road tracks are essential.

Table 3-1 below lists the technical conditions of Beijing & Shanghai high-speed railway, foreign high-speed railway UIC860, JISEI011 (Japanese Industrial Standard 1101-1993), TGV, EN (European Standards Association), Chinese GB2585 and TBT2344 standards stipulate the allowable deviation of the rail size.

Table 3-2 lists the requirements of the above standards for rail straightness.

Size tolerance of typical high-speed rail road tracks in the world （mm）

Item	BJ & SH	UIC860	JISE1011	TGV	EN(A)	EN(B)	GB2585	TB/T2344
Rail height	±0.5	±0.6	±1.0	±0.5	±0.5	±0.6	＋0.8，－0.5	±0.5
Width of head	±0.5	±0.5	±0.8，－0.5	±0.5	±0.5	±0.5	0.5	—
Thickness of web	－0.5~＋1.0	－0.5~＋1.0	－0.5~＋1.0	－0.5~＋1.0	－0.5~＋1.0	－0.5~＋1.0	－0.5~＋1.0	－0.5~＋1.0
Width of base	±1.0	－0.5~＋1.0	±0.8	±0.8	±1.0	±1.0	＋1.0，－2.0	＋1.0，－2.0
The flatness of rail bottom	Sunken≤0.3	—	Uneven≤0.4	—	Sunken≤0.3	Sunken≤0.3	Sunken≤0.5	Sunken≤0.5
Asymmetry	Head≤0.5， base≤1.0	±1.5	Head to base offset ≤0.5	±1.5	±1.2	±1.2	Head≤0.5， base≤1.0	Head≤0.5， base≤1.0
End face verticality	≤0.6	≤0.6	≤0.5	≤0.6	≤0.6	≤0.6	≤1.0	≤1.0

3-1 Note：BJ & SH standards for the technical standards in Beijing & Shanghai；GB-Chinese Standard； TB-China Railway Standard

The flatness of typical high-speed train track rails in the world （mm）

Part	Item	Beijing & Shanghai	UIC860	JISE1101	TGV	EN（A）	EN（B）	GB2585	TB/T2344
Rail end	Vertical flatness (up)	0.4/2, 0.3/1	0.7/1.5	1.7/1.5	0.4/2, 0.3/1	0.5/1.5	0.5/1.5	0.8/1	0.5/1
	Vertical flatness (down)	0.2/2	0	0	0.2/2	0.2/2	0.2/1.5	0.2/1	0.2/1
	Horizontal flatness	0.5/2, 0.4/1	0.7/1.5	0.5/1.5	0.5/2, 0.4/1	0.6/2, 0.4/1	0.7/1.5	0.8/1	0.5/1
Rail body	Vertical Flatness	0.3/3, 0.2/1	—	—	0.3/3， 0.2/1	0.3/3， 0.2/1	0.4/3， 0.3/1	—	—
Rail body	Horizontal flatness	0.45/1.5	—	—	0.45/1.5	0.6/1.5	0.6/1.5	—	—
Overlapping area	Vertical Flatness	0.3/2	—	—	—	0.3/2	0.4/1.5	—	—
Overlapping area	Horizontal flatness	0.6/2	—	—	—	0.6/2	0.6/1.5	—	—
Full length	Upper and lower bend	≤5mm	—	10/10	≤5mm	≤5mm	≤5mm	0.5%	0.5%
Full length	Side bend	R＞1500m	—	10/10	R＞1500m	R＞1500m	R＞1500m	0.5%	0.5%
Edge	distortion	0.455/1	0.4/1	—	—	0.455/1	0.455/1	—	—
Full length	distortion	2.5m	—	1.0m	—	2.5m	2.5m	0.1%	0.1%

AGICO hot sale railroad rails

Approved by China’s Railway Ministry, Anyang General International Co., Ltd (AGICO) can provide a complete range of railroad tracks conform to International standards. Products such as GB light rail, GB heavy rail, QU crane rail, ASCE rail, 115RE rail, UIC60 rail, UIC54 rail, 90lbs rail, DIN536 rail, etc, are quite popular among customers worldwide.

Specifications of American Standard Rail (AREMA/ASCE Rails)

Rail Type	Head(mm)	Height(mm)	Base(mm)	Web(mm)	Nominal weight(kg/m)	Material	Length
175LBS Rail	109.86	152.4	152.4	38.1	86.8	900A/1100	12—25
115RE Rail	69.06	168.28	139.7	15.88	56.9	900A/1100	12—25
90RA Rail	65.09	142.88	130.18	14.29	44.65	900A/1100	12—25
ASCE 85 Rail	65.09	131.76	131.76	14.29	42.17	900A/1100	12-25
ASCE 75 Rail	62.71	122.24	122.24	13.49	37.2	900A/1100	12-25
ASCE 60 Rail	60.32	107.95	107.95	12.3	29.76	700	6-12
ASCE 50 Rail	54	98.4	98.4	11.11	24.855	700	6-12
ASCE 40 Rail	47.62	88.9	88.9	9.92	19.84	700	6-12
ASCE 30 Rail	42.86	79.38	79.38	8.33	14.88	700	6-12
ASCE 25 Rail	38.1	69.85	69.85	7.54	12.4	700	6-12

Specification of British rail (BS11:1985)

Size	Head(mm)	Height(mm)	Base(mm)	Web(mm)	Nominal weight (kg/m)	Material	Length
BS113A Rail	69.85	158.75	139.7	20	56.398	900A	8-25
BS100A Rail	69.85	152.4	133.35	15.08	50.182	900A	8-25
BS90A Rail	66.67	142.88	127	13.89	45.099	900A	8-25
BS80A Rail	63.5	133.35	117.47	13.1	39.761	900A	8-25
BS75A Rail	61.91	128.59	114.3	12.7	37.455	900A	8-25
BS70A Rail	60.32	123.82	111.12	12.3	34.807	900A	8-25
BS60A Rail	57.15	114.3	109.54	11.11	30.618	900A	6-18
BS80R Rail	63.5	133.85	127	13.49	39.374	900A	8-25
BS75R Rail	61.91	128.59	122.24	13.1	37.041	900A	8-25
BS60R Rail	57.15	114.3	109.54	11.11	29.822	700	6-18
BS50 O Rail	52.39	100.01	100.01	10.32	24.833	700	6-18

Specification of European Standard Rail (EN 13674-1-2003)

Size	Head(mm)	Height(mm)	Base(mm)	Web(mm)	Nominal weight (kg/m)	Material	Length(m)
60E1 Rail	72	172	150	16.5	60.21	R260/R350HT	12-25
55E1 Rail	62	155	134	19	56.03	R260/R350HT	12-25
54E1 Rail	70	159	140	16	54.77	R260/R350HT	12-25
50E1 Rail	65	153	134	15.5	50.37	R260/R350HT	12-25
49E1 Rail	67	149	125	14	49.39	R260/R350HT	12-25
50E2 Rail	72	151	140	15	49.97	R260/R350HT	12-25
49E2 Rail	67	148	125	14	49.1	R260/R350HT	12-25
54E3 Rail	67	154	125	16	54.57	R260/R350HT	12-25
50E4 Rail	70	152	125	15	50.46	R260/R350HT	12-25
50E5 Rail	67	148	135	14	49.9	R260/R350HT	12-25
50E6 Rail	65	153	140	15.5	50.9	R260/R350HT	12-25

DIN Crane Rail

Size	Head (mm)	Height (mm)	Base (mm)	Web (mm)	Nominal weight (kg/m)	Material	Length （m）
A45	45	55	125	24	22.1	700/900A/1100	10-12
A55	55	65	150	31	31.8	700/900A/1100	10-12
A65	65	75	175	38	43.1	700/900A/1100	10-12
A75	75	85	200	45	56.2	700/900A/1100	10-12
A100	100	95	200	60	74.3	700/900A/1100	10-12
A120	120	105	220	72	100	700/900A/1100	10-12
A150	150	150	220	80	150.3	700/900A/1100	10-12

Specification of Indian Standard Rail (ISCR)

Size	Head (mm)	Height (mm)	Base (mm)	Web (mm)	Nominal weight (kg/m)	Material	Length （m）
ISCR 50 Rail	51.2	90	90	20	29.8	55Q/U71MN	9-12
ISCR60 Rail	61.3	105	105	24	40	55Q/U71Mn	9-12
ISCR70 Rail	70	120	120	28	52.8	U71Mn	9-12
ISCR80 Rail	81.7	130	130	32	64.2	U71Mn	9-12
ISCR100 Rail	101.9	150	150	38	89	U71Mn	9-12
ISCR120 Rail	122	170	170	44	118	U71Mn	9-12

Specifications of Japanese Standard Rail ( JIS E1103-93/JIS E1101-93 )

Size	Head (mm)	Height (mm)	Base (mm)	Web (mm)	Nominal weight (kg/m)	Material	Length （m）
JIS 22kg Rail	50.8	93.66	93.66	10.72	22.3	55Q	9-10
JIS 30kg Rail	60.33	107.95	107.95	12.3	30.1	55Q	9-10
JIS37A Rail	52.71	122.24	122.24	13.49	37.2	U71Mn	10-25
JIS50n Rail	65	153	127	15	50.4	U71Mn	10-25
CR73 Rail	100	135	140	32	73.3	U71Mn	10-12
CR100 Rail	120	150	155	39	100.2	U71Mn	10-12

Specification of Australian Standard Rail (AS 1085)

Size	Head (mm)	Height (mm)	Base (mm)	Web (mm)	Nominal weight (kg/m)	Material	Length （m）
31kg	117.5	108	63.5	11.5	31.5	900A/1100	6-25
41 kg	136.5	127	63.5	13.1	40.7	900A/1100	6-25
47 kg	141.3	127	70	14.3	46.5	900A/1100	6-25
50 kg	154	127	70	15	50.8	900A/1100	6-25
53 kg	157.1	146	70	14.7	53	900A/1100	6-25
60 kg	170	146	70	16.5	61	900A/1100	6-25
66 kg	181	152	75.4	16.5	65.5	900A/1100	6-25
68 kg	186	152	73.4	17.5	67.5	900A/1100	6-25
73 kg	157	146	70	32	73.6	900A/1100	6-25
86 kg	102	165	102	84.11	85.5	900A/1100	6-25
89 kg	114	178	102	51	89.81	900A/1100	6-25

Specification of South African Standard Rail ( ISCOR )

Size	Head (mm)	Height (mm)	Base (mm)	Web (mm)	Nominal weight (kg/m)	Material	Length （m）
48kg	68	150	127	14	47.6	900A	9-25
40kg	63.5	127	127	14	40.31	900A	9-25
30kg	57.15	109.54	109.54	11.5	30.25	900A	9
22kg	50.01	95.25	95.25	9.92	22.54	700	9
15kg	41.28	76.2	76.2	7.54	14.905	700	9

Specifications Of Chinese Standard Rail

Light Rail Specification ( GB11264-89/YB222-63 )

Size	Head (mm)	Height (mm)	Base (mm)	Web (mm)	Nominal weight (kg/m)	Sectional Area Cm²
9kg	32.1	63.5	63.5	5.9	8.94	11.29
12kg	38.1	69.85	69.85	7.54	12.2	15.54
15kg	42.86	79.37	79.37	8.33	15.2	19.33
18kg	40	90	80	10	18.06	23.07
22kg	50.8	93.66	93.66	10.72	22.3	28.39
30kg	60.33	107.95	107.95	12.3	30.1	38.32

Heavy Rail Specification (GB2585-2007)

Size	Head (mm)	Height (mm)	Base (mm)	Web (mm)	Nominal weight (kg/m)	Material	Length （m）	Sectional Area Cm²
43kg	70	140	114	14.5	44.65	50Mn/U71Mn	12.5-25	57.0
50kg	70	152	132	15.5	51.51	50Mn/U71Mn	12.5-25	65.8
60kg	73	176	150	16.5	60.64	u71mn/u75vx	8-25	77.45

Crane Rail Specification (YB/T5055-93)

Size	Head (mm)	Height (mm)	Base (mm)	Web (mm)	Nominal weight (kg/m)	Material	Length （m）	Sectional Area Cm²
QU70 Rail	70	120	120	28	52.8	U71Mn	12	67.3
QU80 Rail	80	130	130	32	63.69	U71Mn	12	81.13
QU100 Rail	100	150	150	38	88.96	U71Mn	12	113.32
QU120 Rail	120	170	170	44	118.1	U71Mn	12	150.44

Railroad Rail Specification