What the ASCE 60 lb/yd Section Is
The 60 lb/yd ASCE rail is a tee section of the profile family published by the American Society of Civil Engineers and still quoted across light railway, industrial and mine track work. The designation refers to the nominal mass of 60 pounds per linear yard, which converts to approximately 29.8 kg per metre, and it identifies a light section rather than a mainline section. Its traditional territory is industrial sidings, quarry and mine haulage, short-line and narrow internal transport, portable or temporary track, and low-speed light rail where the axle load and the traffic density are modest. The section is normally supplied in 6.1 m, 9.1 m, 10.1 m or 12.2 m lengths, corresponding to the 20 ft, 30 ft, 33 ft and 40 ft commercial lengths, so that the number of joints in a given run matches the standard joint-bar and drilling pattern.
Dimensions and Section Properties
The profile dimensions define everything downstream of the purchase order: the joint bar that will fit, the fastening that will seat on the flange, the roller that will run on the head and the tonnage that the section will carry. The values below are the nominal section values used for the 60 lb/yd ASCE profile.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Nominal mass | 60 lb/yd (approx. 29.8 kg/m) |
| Rail height | 107.95 mm (4-1/4 in) |
| Base width | 107.95 mm (4-1/4 in) |
| Head width | 60.33 mm (2-3/8 in) |
| Web thickness | 12.3 mm (approx. 0.48 in) |
| Standard length | 20 ft, 30 ft, 33 ft, 40 ft |
| Standard joint drilling | 2-1/2 in x 5 in pattern, 15/16 in diameter holes |
| Joint bar length | 20 in |
| Joint assembly weight | 13 lb per pair; 16 lb per pair with bolts and nuts |
| Joint bolt | 3/4 in x 4 in |
Because the base and the head of this section have the same nominal width, the rail is often described as a symmetrical-base light section, and the web is thin in relation to the overall depth. That combination gives a section that bends easily during installation but carries comparatively modest vertical load, which is the correct engineering basis for using it on temporary or lightly loaded track rather than on a mainline alignment.
Joint Bars, Drilling and Fastenings
Fishplates and joint bars for the 60 lb/yd ASCE section are matched to the drilling pattern, which is why the drilling must be stated on the order and inspected on receipt. A bar that fits the profile but carries a different hole spacing will not assemble, and the usual outcome is field re-drilling, which removes protective material from the web and often introduces weak points at the most highly stressed part of the rail. Bolts are the standard 3/4 in x 4 in track bolt with the appropriate nut and, where specified, a spring washer. For industrial track, the rail is commonly fastened with base plates and cut spikes, screw spikes, or with a rail clip system bolted to a sleeper; the choice depends on the sleeper material and on whether the track is expected to be relaid. Where the track is curved, gauge widening and joint staggering become part of the track design and affect the quantity of short rails that must be ordered in the same shipment.
Rail Steel and Manufacturing Route
Rails in this size class are produced to a carbon steel rail specification, with the chemistry set for a balance between hardness at the running surface and toughness in the web and base. Standard classes are supplied in the as-rolled condition, and higher-hardness or head-hardened options are offered where the wheel loading and the curve radii are more severe. Whichever route is chosen, the rail should be supplied with a material certificate showing the heat number, the chemical composition and the mechanical properties, because the rail is a safety-relevant structural component and because mixed heats in one consignment will show different wear rates on site. Straightness, camber, the head profile and the finish of the fishbolt holes are the attributes that most often separate an acceptable consignment from one that causes rework during installation.
Applications, Track Design and Inspection
The practical range of the 60 lb/yd ASCE section covers internal transport lines in steel works and quarries, mine haulage where the locomotive is small, crane runway alternatives where a light rail is acceptable, temporary construction track, and heritage or scenic narrow tracks where a light profile is preferred for appearance and cost. The design constraints are equally clear: it is not intended for high-speed or heavy-axle traffic, and it is sensitive to poor support, so ballast or sleeper support must be continuous rather than sporadic. During installation, joints should be staggered rather than opposite each other, and the joint gap should be set with a gauge bar so that the rail can expand without buckling. Inspection on delivery concentrates on section dimensions against the profile table, drilling position against the bar pattern, straightness over the full length, and the absence of rolling defects, laps or excessive head decarburisation; a dimensional report with the shipment saves the arguments that otherwise occur once the track is being laid and the crane or the locomotive is scheduled to arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does 60 lb ASCE rail weigh in metric units?
A: The nominal mass is 60 lb per yard, which is approximately 29.8 kg per metre, and a 12.2 m length therefore weighs about 363 kg.
Q: Which joint bar fits the 60 lb/yd ASCE section?
A: A 20 in joint bar drilled for the 2-1/2 in x 5 in pattern with 15/16 in holes, assembled with 3/4 in x 4 in track bolts. Bars must be ordered against the same drilling as the rail.
Q: Can 60 lb ASCE rail be used on a mainline railway?
A: It is a light section intended for industrial, mine and low-speed track. Heavier sections are used where axle loads and speeds are high, because the thin web limits the bending and fatigue capacity of this profile.
Q: Is head-hardened rail available in this section?
A: Yes. Standard as-rolled rail is the usual supply, and head-hardened or higher-hardness options are available for curves and for heavy wheel loading, but they must be specified on the order because they are separate product classes.
Q: How should the rail be stored on site?
A: On timber bearers clear of the ground, in straight layers, with drainage beneath. Rails stacked directly on wet ground or twisted into a heap take a permanent set that is difficult to remove before laying.
Q: What documents should come with a rail shipment?
A: A material certificate with heat number, chemical composition and mechanical properties, a dimensional inspection report covering the section profile and the drilling, and a packing list showing the number of pieces per length.