What are the different types of rails?

Dec 26, 2025 Leave a message

Steel rail, we also called rails, tracks, is an important element of the rail system. The steel rail is used with rail joint and railway fasteners like rail clip, railraod tie plate, turnouts to make the train run fast and steady without steering.

 

What are the different types of rails?

 

Heavy rail, light rail, and crane rail are classifications of steel tracks, differentiated by weight, strength, and use: Light rails (under 30kg/m) are for temporary/light-duty use (mines, factories); Heavy rails (>30kg/m) for main railways; and Crane rails (like QU series) are specialized, robust tracks for cranes, with precise profiles and high wear resistance for heavy industrial loads.

 

track rail

 

ClassificationHeight(mm)Head (mm)Bottom (mm)Thick(mm)Weight (kg/m)
Light Rail8 KG/M65255478.42
9 KG/M63.532.163.55.98.94
12 KG/M69.8538.169.857.5412.2
15 KG/M79.3742.8679.378.3315.2
18 KG/M8040801018.06

 

ClassificationHeight(mm)Head (mm)Bottom (mm)Thick(mm)Weight (kg/m)
Heavy Rail38 KG/M134681141338.733
43 KG/M1407011414.544.653
45 KG/M1456712614.545.546
50 KG/M1527013215.551.514
60 KG/M1767315016.560.64

 

ClassificationSIZE(mm)theoretical weight
heightbottom widthhead widthwaist depth
Crane railQU70120120702852.8
QU80130130803263.69
QU1001501501003888.96
QU12017017012044118.1

 

Custom Processing Options for Track Rail

 

We provide advanced customization for steel rails, designed to support complex and heavy-duty track systems. Our professional manufacturing process is tailored to meet your specific project demands, ensuring quality and reliability throughout installation.

 

Our Services Include:

 

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  • Cut to your requested lengths

 

  • Drill holes for easy installation

 

  • Add rust protection if needed

 

  • Finish and shape rail ends as required

 

other Standard Steel Rail from GNEE RAIL

 

UIC 860 Standard Steel Rail

 

Standard: UIC860
SizeDimension(mm)Weight
(kg/m)
Length(m)
HeadHeightBottomThickness
UIC50701521251550.4612-25
UIC54701591401654.43
UIC6074.317215016.560.21

 

BS11:1985 Standard Steel Rail

 

Standard: BS11:1985
SizeDimension(mm)Weight
(kg/m)
Length(m)
HeadHeightBottomThickness
50 O52.39100.01100.0110.3224.8336-18
60 A57.15114.3109.5411.1130.618
75 A61.91128.59114.312.737.4558-25
75 R61.91128.59122.2413.137.041
80 A63.5133.35117.4713.139.761
80 R63.5133.3512713.4939.674
90 A66.67142.8812713.8945.099
100 A69.85152.4133.3515.0850.182
113 A69.85158.75139.72056.398

 

American Standard Steel Rail

 

ASTM standard, AREMA standard
SizeDimension(mm)Weight
(kg/m)
Length(m)
HeadHeightFootThickness
ASCE 2538.169.8569.857.5412.46-12
ASCE 3042.8679.3879.388.3314.88
ASCE 4047.6288.988.99.9219.84
ASCE 6060.32107.95107.9512.329.76
ASCE 7562.71122.24122.2413.4937.212-25
ASCE 8565.09131.76131.7614.2942.17
ASCE 9069.09130.18142.8814.2944.65
ASCE 11569.06139.7168.2815.8856.9
ASCE 13674.61152.4185.7417.4667.41
ASCE 175109.86152.4152.438.186.8

 

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.

 

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