A steel rail is a hot-rolled steel bar, shaped like an asymmetric I-beam, that forms the main component of railway tracks, guiding train wheels, bearing immense pressure, and providing a smooth, continuous surface for transport, while also serving as an electrical conductor in electrified lines, requiring high strength, wear resistance, and fatigue resistance for safety and performance.
How much do rails weigh?
Rail weights vary significantly, typically measured in pounds per yard (lb/yd) in North America or kilograms per meter (kg/m) in Europe, ranging from lighter ones like 60 lb/yd (~30 kg/m) for industrial use up to heavy-duty rails like 136 lb/yd (~68 kg/m) or even heavier for high-speed and heavy-haul lines, with common mainline weights being 115-141 lb/yd (57-70 kg/m) or 60 kg/m for modern systems.
Common Weight Ranges:
Light/Industrial: 60-90 lb/yd (approx. 30-45 kg/m).
Standard Mainline: 115-141 lb/yd (approx. 57-70 kg/m).
High-Speed/Heavy-Haul: 60 kg/m (121 lb/yd) or heavier, like 70 kg/m (140 lb/yd).
| 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 | |
| Classification | Height(mm) | Head (mm) | Bottom (mm) | Thick(mm) | Weight (kg/m) | |
| Heavy Rail | 38 KG/M | 134 | 68 | 114 | 13 | 38.733 |
| 43 KG/M | 140 | 70 | 114 | 14.5 | 44.653 | |
| 45 KG/M | 145 | 67 | 126 | 14.5 | 45.546 | |
| 50 KG/M | 152 | 70 | 132 | 15.5 | 51.514 | |
| 60 KG/M | 176 | 73 | 150 | 16.5 | 60.64 | |
| Classification | SIZE(mm) | theoretical weight | |||||||||
| height | bottom width | head width | waist depth | ||||||||
| Crane rail | QU70 | 120 | 120 | 70 | 28 | 52.8 | |||||
| QU80 | 130 | 130 | 80 | 32 | 63.69 | ||||||
| QU100 | 150 | 150 | 100 | 38 | 88.96 | ||||||
| QU120 | 170 | 170 | 120 | 44 | 118.1 | ||||||
Examples by Region/Standard:
US Standard (ASCE/ARA): 90 lb/yd (44.6 kg/m) up to 136 lb/yd (67.5 kg/m).
European Standard (EN): 49 kg/m (49 E1) to 60 kg/m (60 E1).
Chinese Standard: CHIN60 (60 kg/m) for main lines.
How to choose the right steel rail type?
Choosing the right steel rail involves matching the rail's weight, strength, and material to your specific application's needs, primarily determined by load (axle weight), speed, traffic volume, and environment, alongside long-term costs and maintenance. Heavier, stronger rails (like 60kg/m+) suit heavy-haul/high-speed lines, while lighter rails (30kg/m or less) are economical for internal factory or low-speed use. Always check compliance with industry standards (UIC, AREMA, etc.) and consider head-hardened options for durability in heavy use.
- Assess your project's demands: Axle loads, speeds, traffic frequency, environment.
- Consult standards: Match requirements to rail types (e.g., GB60, ASCE 40).
- Consider lifecycle cost: Balance upfront cost with long-term maintenance and durability.
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Whether you are building a new railway line or upgrading an existing network, we offer one-stop procurement services to simplify your sourcing process–ensuring timely delivery, competitive pricing, and professional technical support.
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