The steel rail is the main component of the train tracks. It directly bears the repeated impact loads of the wheels of the rolling stock. It is also the basis for ensuring the safe, stable, and fast transportation of the train.
What are the three types of rails?
In railway engineering, rails are commonly classified into three main structural types based on their cross-section design, which reflects the historical development and functional optimization of track systems. These are Double-Headed Rails, Bullhead Rails, and Flat-Bottom (Vignoles) Rails. Each type differs in load distribution, fastening method, and suitability for modern operations. In international projects, GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAY supplies flat-bottom rails and related fastening systems under multiple standards and can support legacy rail replacement where required.
Flat-Bottom Rail (Vignoles Rail)
Flat-bottom rail, also known as Vignoles rail, is the most common rail type worldwide today. It features a wide, flat foot that can be directly fastened to sleepers using clips, bolts, and base plates, eliminating the need for rail chairs and significantly simplifying track construction.
This design offers superior load distribution, lateral stability, and ease of mechanized installation, making it suitable for high-speed railways, heavy-haul freight lines, metros, industrial tracks, and crane rail systems. Almost all modern standards-such as EN 13674 (UIC rails), AREMA (RE rails), JIS rails, DIN rails, and GB rails-are based on flat-bottom profiles with different weights and dimensions for different axle loads and environments. GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAY supplies flat-bottom rails across these standards, along with complete fastening systems and technical installation guidance.
| 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 |
Double-Headed Rail (DH Rail)
Double-headed rail is characterized by a symmetrical profile, where the rail head and foot have nearly the same shape and size. The original concept was that when the top running surface wore out, the rail could be inverted and reused. In practice, this advantage was rarely realized because the lower head became damaged by chair fittings and could not provide a proper running surface after inversion.
Structurally, double-headed rails were installed in cast-iron or steel chairs fixed to sleepers, making installation and maintenance complex. Due to limited load capacity and inefficient maintenance, this rail type has been almost completely phased out and is now found only on a few heritage railways.
Bullhead Rail (BH Rail)
Bullhead rail evolved from the double-headed design but uses a larger head and a smaller foot, improving wear life while still requiring rail chairs for support. The foot is not wide enough to be directly fastened to sleepers, so chairs and keys are essential components of the fastening system.
Bullhead rails were widely used in the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth countries for conventional railways and urban lines. However, compared with modern flat-bottom rails, bullhead systems involve higher material usage, more components, and greater maintenance cost, which is why most modern track construction has transitioned to flat-bottom rail systems.
Since 2008, GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAY has been supplying steel rails of different grades for more than 18 years, steel rails from GNEE RAILWAY is highly recommened in China and abroad.Wtih cutting edge equipment, GNEE RAILWAY 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 RAILWAY RAILWAY has been working on supplying economical green railway products all over the world.