Common Rail Sizes by Standard: A Buyer's Guide

Steel rails are identified by profile series, and each series is defined by four figures: weight per meter (kg/m or lb/yd), head width, total height and base width. A rail that fits a 25 t axle load mainline will not suit a 5 t mine tramway, which is why buyers must compare sizes against the governing standard rather than a single nominal weight. This page summarizes the rail sizes most frequently exported under GB, ASCE/AREMA, UIC, EN, DIN, JIS, BS, Indian, Australian and South African standards.

Why Rail Sizes Vary by Standard

Each standard family was developed around different axle loads, train speeds and sleeper systems. North American practice uses lb/yd designations such as 115RE and 136RE, European practice uses UIC 54 and UIC 60 or EN profiles such as 60 E1, and Chinese practice uses kg/m designations such as 50 kg/m and 60 kg/m for railway rails and QU70-QU120 for crane rails. The same nominal weight can therefore have different head, web and base dimensions under different standards, and components such as rail pads, fishplates and clips must be matched to the exact profile, not to the weight alone.

GB Standard: Light Rail, Heavy Rail and Crane Rail

GB heavy rail grades U71Mn, U75V and heat-treated variants are rolled in 12.5 m and 25 m lengths, while QU crane rails are normally supplied in 12 m lengths. Light rails from 8 to 30 kg/m serve mine tramways, industrial sidings and temporary lines.

Common Sizes under International Standards

ASCE/AREMA (ASTM A1, North America)

UIC 860 and EN 13674-1 (Europe)

DIN 536 Crane Rails and Other Series

Other regularly supplied families include JIS normal rails (15 kg, 22 kg, 30 kg, 37A, 50N per JIS E 1101) and JIS crane rails (CR73, CR100 per JIS E 1103), BS 11 rails from 50 O to 113 A in 700/900A material, IS 3443 crane rails ISCR50-ISCR120, AS 1085 rails from 31 kg/m to 89 kg/m, South African (ISCOR/SANS) rails from 15 kg/m to 57 kg/m, and grooved tram rails of the Ri59/Ri60 family per EN 14811. Grooved rail profiles are identified by head A, head B, channel and web dimensions because they accept a flange in the groove.

How to Read a Rail Designation

ASCE 115RE: the number is nominal weight in lb/yd and RE means railroad-extra (standard flat-bottom profile).

UIC60 and 60 E1: 60 is the nominal weight in kg/m; E1 denotes the EN profile variant.

QU100: the number after QU is the rail head width in mm, not the weight per meter.

DIN 536 A120: A denotes the crane rail series and 120 the head width in mm.

Selection Points for Buyers

Match the rail size to the axle load, train frequency and curve radius of the intended line, or to the crane wheel load and duty class of the runway. Order head-hardened or heat-treated grades for curved heavy-haul sections, and specify material grade (U71Mn, 900A, R260, 1100) together with the profile so that welding and fastening components can be planned. Confirm standard length (6-25 m), surface treatment and any drilling or cutting required before shipment.

Common Misconceptions

Higher kg/m is not automatically better: heavier rails increase sleeper and fastener cost and need stronger substructure. The number in a designation is not always the weight (QU and DIN 536 use head width). A rail profile that matches in weight but not in head or base dimensions will not accept standard clips and pads, and fishplate bolt holes will not align. Grooved rails are designed for trams, not for regular rolling stock, and must never be substituted with flat-bottom rails on the same line.

FAQ

What is the most common rail size for mainline railways?

60 kg/m (UIC60/60 E1) dominates high-speed and heavy mainlines in Asia and Europe, while 136RE and 115RE are the standard heavy profiles in North America. Secondary lines typically use 50 kg/m or 54 kg/m.

How is rail weight per meter measured?

Nominal weight is calculated from the theoretical cross-section area multiplied by the density of steel (7.85 t/m³). Actual weight tolerance is controlled by the relevant standard, typically within a few percent of the nominal figure.

Are UIC60 and 60 E1 the same rail?

They are close in weight but differ slightly in head and base geometry. UIC 60 comes from UIC 860 and 60 E1 from EN 13674-1; fastening and joint components must be selected for the exact profile drawn in the standard.

What length are rails supplied in?

Light rails are commonly 6-12 m, heavy rails 12-25 m, and crane rails 10-12 m. Longer rails reduce the number of joints but require special transport and handling planning.

Can light rail be used on a mainline?

No. Light rails are designed for low axle loads and low speeds; using them under mainline traffic causes rapid wear, fatigue cracking and geometric deterioration, creating a derailment risk.

Do I need head-hardened rail for curves?

For heavy-tonnage curved sections, head-hardened or heat-treated grades extend life by reducing gauge-corner wear and rolling contact fatigue, typically justifying their higher cost where annual tonnage is high.