Standard Railroad Rail Sizes and Weight Per Meter

How Rail Size Is Defined

A rail section is described by three parameters: the track gauge (the distance between the inside faces of the two rail heads, standardized at 1435 mm on most networks), the rail section weight in kg/m (or lb/yd), and the profile geometry, which includes head width, base width, rail height and web thickness. The profile is designed as an I-beam so that the head carries the wheel contact stress, the web resists shear, and the base spreads the load to the sleeper. Two rails with the same weight can have different profiles, so always specify the exact standard and section name when ordering, for example UIC60, 115RE or 60 kg/m per GB/T 2585.

Common Sections by Standard

For crane runways, flat-bottom crane rails per GB are designated QU70, QU80, QU100 and QU120, normally supplied in U71Mn. European crane rails follow DIN 536 with profiles A55 to A120. Because a crane rail carries a wheel with a flat tread and side flanges, its head geometry differs from a railroad rail of similar weight.

Rail Steel Grades and Composition

Rails are hot-rolled from high-carbon steel with controlled alloying. Typical grades and nominal compositions are: R260 (C 0.67-0.80%, Mn 0.90-1.20%, Si up to 0.50%), R350HT (head-hardened, C 0.75-0.85%, Mn 0.80-1.20%, Cr 0.20-0.50%), AREMA Grade 260 (C about 0.77%), AREMA Grade 350 (microalloyed with V or Nb), U71Mn (C 0.65-0.77%, Mn 1.10-1.40%) and U75V (C 0.67-0.77%, V 0.04-0.12%). Head-hardened grades such as R350HT improve wear and fatigue resistance for curves and high-tonnage lines. Bainitic rails (C 0.65-0.80%, Mn 1.0-1.4%, with optional Cr/Mo/Ni) are used where a combination of high strength and weldability is required.

Selecting the Correct Rail Size

Choose the section weight from the axle load and annual tonnage. Light rails of 8-30 kg/m suit mine cars, temporary sidings and small gantry cranes. Medium sections around 50-54 kg/m are used on secondary lines and branch traffic. 60 kg/m rail is the workhorse of main lines, high-speed lines and metros. 75 kg/m rail is reserved for heavy-haul corridors with axle loads above 30 t. Check the rail base width against the sleeper, tie plate and fastening system: a heavier rail with a wider base needs a matching pad, shoulder and clip toe load. Also confirm the delivery standard, because AREMA 115RE and EN 60E1 are not dimensionally identical even though they carry similar traffic.

Ordering Checklist

Gauge: 1435 mm standard, or 1000 mm / 1067 mm narrow gauge where applicable.

Section and standard: e.g. UIC60, EN 60E1, AREMA 115RE, GB/T 2585 60 kg/m.

Steel grade: R260 / R350HT / U71Mn / U75V depending on traffic and climate.

Length: standard supply lengths of 12.5 m, 25 m or custom cut lengths; specify the tolerance.

Finish: black rail or drilled for fishplate joints; head-hardened rails for curves.

Inspection: request mill test certificates and ultrasonic testing reports with the shipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the standard gauge of a railroad?
A: The standard gauge is 1435 mm (4 ft 8 1/2 in), used on about 60% of the world's railways. Narrow gauges of 1000 mm and 1067 mm are common on secondary and mountainous lines.

Q: What does 60 kg/m rail mean?
A: It is the nominal weight of one meter of rail, about 121 lb/yd. The actual mass per meter of EN 60E1 is about 60.21 kg. Weight per meter is the fastest way to compare rail sizes across standards.

Q: What is the difference between UIC60 and AREMA 115RE?
A: Both serve main-line traffic of roughly 60 kg/m class, but the profile dimensions differ: UIC60 has a taller section with a narrower base, while 115RE has a wider base and different head geometry. They require different tie plates, pads and clips, and are not interchangeable on the same sleepers.

Q: Which rail grade should be used for cold regions?
A: For cold climates choose grades with guaranteed low-temperature toughness, such as R260 with controlled cleanliness or U71Mn with impact testing at -40°C. Head-hardened R350HT is avoided on very sharp curves in severe cold unless the project specifies it with additional testing.

Q: How long is a standard rail length?
A: Conventional jointed rail is supplied in 12.5 m or 25 m lengths. Continuously welded rail is delivered in long strings of 100-500 m for field welding. Custom lengths are cut at the mill with a tolerance of about +50 mm.