A steel rail is an engineered steel pathway element that constrains wheel motion to a controlled trajectory while transferring operational loads to sleepers and subgrade layers, forming the backbone of any rail-based transport system. Its dimensional accuracy directly affects safety and service life.
GNEE RAIL supplies rails under all major international systems including GB, UIC, DIN536, JIS, AS1085, BS11, and AREMA/ASCE, with full coverage of light rails, heavy rails, and crane rails such as QU70–QU120 and DIN A55–A120, plus cutting, coating, and logistics coordination services.
What is the size of a standard railroad rail?
A standard railroad rail's size varies by usage, but the most common gauge (distance between rails) is the Standard Gauge of 1435 mm (4 ft 8 1/2 in). Individual rail sections are defined by their weight (e.g., 60 kg/m, 100 lb/yd) and profile (height, head width, base width, web thickness), featuring an I-beam shape with sizes like 50kg/m or 115RE, used for heavy-haul or high-speed lines.
As a professional rail fastener supplier, GNEE RAIL 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.
| Standard | Sepc. | Material Typical Grade |
| UIC860 | UIC54 | 700,900A,900B |
| UIC60 | ||
| EN13674.1 | 5.00E+02 | R200,R350HT,R260Mn,R35LHT,R320Cr,R370CrHT |
| 5.40E+02 | ||
| 6.00E+02 | ||
| 6.00E+03 | ||
| BS-11-1985 | BS80A | 700,900A,900B |
| BS90A | ||
| BS100A | ||
| AREMA | 115RE | SS,HH,LA,IH |
| 136RE | ||
| ASCE60 | U71Mn | |
| ASCE85 | U71Mn | |
| GB 2585-2007 | 50kg/m | U71Mn |
| 60kg/m | U75V | |
| 75kg/m | ||
| TB/T2344-2012 | 50kg/m | U71Mn,U75V,U77MnCr |
| 60kg/m | U78CrV | |
| 75kg/m | ||
| GB 11264-1989 | 8kg/m | Q235 |
| 12kg/m | Q235 | |
| 15kg/m | 55Q, Q235 | |
| 18kg/m | 55Q, Q235 | |
| 22kg/m | 55Q, Q235 | |
| 24kg/m | 55Q, Q235 | |
| 30kg/m | 55Q, Q235 | |
| 38kg/m | 50Mn, U71Mn | |
| 43kg/m | 50Mn, U71Mn | |
| GB Crane rails | QU70 | U71Mn |
| QU80 | U71Mn | |
| QU100 | U71Mn | |
| QU120 | U71Mn |
What is the material of rail?
Rails are primarily manufactured from high-strength, hot-rolled, high-carbon steel, designed to withstand intense wear, heavy loads, and impact, often utilizing alloys like manganese, silicon, and chromium (e.g., R260, R350HT, U71Mn). Common synonyms for this material include railway steel, rail steel, carbon steel, or simply track steel. These materials are utilized for high-speed, heavy-haul, and metro lines.
- High-Carbon Steel: The most common material, typically containing 0.6%–0.8% carbon to enhance strength and wear resistance.
- Alloy Steel: Incorporates manganese (Mn) for hardness, and sometimes chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), or vanadium (V) for increased toughness.
- Heat-Treated Steel: Techniques like head-hardening (e.g., R350HT) are used to increase surface hardness and fatigue resistance.
- Manufacturing Method: Hot-rolled, allowing for long, durable, and structurally sound sections.
Common Rail Steel Grades Worldwide:
| 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 |
Since 2008, GNEE RAIL has been supplying steel rails of different grades for more than 18 years, steel rails from GNEE is highly recommened in China and abroad.Wtih cutting edge equipment, GNEE produces high quality steel rails that meet with requirements of most countries. Standard rail, head hardened rail, heavy rail,light rail,crane rail and other types are all available here, as one of the China main rail supplier, GNEE RAIL has been working on supplying economical green railway products all over the world.