A steel rail is a hardened steel guide structure that defines the track geometry and absorbs wheel impact forces, enabling efficient and repeatable vehicle movement along fixed routes. Its cross-sectional form determines bending resistance and contact behavior. GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAY delivers rails across GB, UIC, DIN536, JIS, AS1085, BS11, and AREMA/ASCE standards, including crane rail series QU and DIN A-types, and offers services such as rail welding solutions, joint systems, and installation process guidance.
What is the difference between GB Rail and BS Rail?
The difference between GB (Chinese) rails and BS (British Standard) rails lies in their standards, dimensions, weight classes, steel grades, and application practices, reflecting the engineering norms of China and the United Kingdom. Here's a detailed comparison:
1. Standards and Regulatory Systems
- GB Rails: Governed by Chinese national standards (GB/T series), e.g., GB/T 11264‑2012 for light rails or GB/T 8162‑2018 for heavy rails. These standards define dimensions, steel grades, mechanical properties, and manufacturing tolerances tailored for Chinese railway operations, including mainline, industrial, and mining tracks.
- BS Rails: Developed under British Standards (BS 11:1985 for rails), which specifies rail profiles, weights, dimensions, and tolerances for heavy, standard, and light railway lines. BS rails have historically been used in the UK and former Commonwealth countries and are designed to match British track engineering practices.
2. Weight Classification and Units
GB Rails: Weight measured in kg per meter (kg/m). Examples:
- Light rail: 22 kg/m (GB 22 kg)
- Heavy rail: 50 kg/m (mainline standard)
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
BS Rails: Weight measured in pounds per yard (lb/yd). Examples:
- 60 lb/yd (~29.8 kg/m)
- 75 lb/yd (~37.2 kg/m)
- 90–110 lb/yd (~44–54 kg/m)
| 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 | |
This difference in units affects all dimensional specifications including head width, base width, and rail height.
What is the material of rail?
Rails are primarily manufactured from high-strength, hot-rolled carbon steel, specifically designed to withstand immense wear, bending, and heavy loads. Common steel grades include R260 and R350HT (heat-treated). They are characterized by high carbon content (0.6%–0.8%) and manganese for increased hardness.
| Grade | Standard / Region | Typical Composition (wt%) |
| R260 | EN 13674-1 (Europe) | C: 0.67–0.80, Mn: 0.90–1.20, Si: ≤0.50 |
| R350HT | EN 13674-1 (Europe) | C: 0.75–0.85, Mn: 0.80–1.20, Cr: 0.20–0.50 |
| Grade 260 | AREMA (North America) | C: ~0.77, Mn: ~1.0–1.2, Si: ~0.2 |
| Grade 350 | AREMA + Mill Specs (USA/Canada) | C: 0.78–0.83, Mn: 0.90–1.20, Cr: 0.2–0.6, + V/Nb (microalloyed) |
| BH Rail (Bainitic) | JIS E 1101 (Japan), adopted in EU/India | C: 0.65–0.80, Mn: 1.0–1.4, Cr/Mo/Ni (optional, mill-specific) |
| U71Mn | GB/T 2585 (China) | C: 0.65–0.77, Mn: 1.10–1.40, Si: 0.15–0.35 |
| U75V | GB/T 2585 (China) | C: 0.67–0.77, Mn: 0.70–1.00, V: 0.04–0.12 |
As a professional rail fastener supplier, GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAY can provide different standard steel rail such as GB,American, BS, UIC, DIN, JIS, Australian and South Africa which used in railway lines, cranes and coal mining.