Rail track is an essential component of rail track, and its function is to guide the train wheels moving forward by withstanding the enormous pressure pushed by the wheels. Steel rail shall provide smooth, stable and continuous rolling surface for the passing train wheels. In electrical railway or automatic block section, railway track can also be used as track circuit.
What are the types of rails?
Railway rails are primarily categorized by their cross-section into Flat-Bottomed (Vignole) Rails, the most common, with a flat base for direct fastening; Bull-Headed Rails, thicker at the head for strength, used in points/switches; and older Double-Headed Rails, symmetrical for reversible use, now rare, with specialty types like Grooved Rails for trams and Check Rails for curves also existing.
Chinese Standard Light Rail
| Standard: GB11264-89 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Dimension(mm) | Weight (kg/m) |
Length(m) | |||
| Head | Height | Bottom | Thickness | |||
| GB6KG | 25.4 | 50.8 | 50.8 | 4.76 | 5.98 | 6-12 |
| GB9KG | 32.1 | 63.5 | 63.5 | 5.9 | 8.94 | |
| GB12KG | 38.1 | 69.85 | 69.85 | 7.54 | 12.2 | |
| GB15KG | 42.86 | 79.37 | 79.37 | 8.33 | 15.2 | |
| GB22KG | 50.3 | 93.66 | 93.66 | 10.72 | 23.3 | |
| GB30KG | 60.33 | 107.95 | 107.95 | 12.3 | 30.1 | |
| Standard: YB222-63 | ||||||
| 8KG | 25 | 65 | 54 | 7 | 8.42 | 6-12 |
| 18KG | 40 | 90 | 80 | 10 | 18.06 | |
| 24KG | 51 | 107 | 92 | 10.9 | 24.46 | |
Chinese Standard Heavy Rail
| Standard: GB2585-2007 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Dimension(mm) | Weight (kg/m) |
Length(m) | |||
| Head | Height | Bottom | Thickness | |||
| P38KG | 68 | 134 | 114 | 13 | 38.733 | 12.5-25 |
| P43KG | 70 | 140 | 114 | 14.5 | 44.653 | |
| P50KG | 70 | 152 | 132 | 15.5 | 51.514 | |
| P60KG | 73 | 170 | 150 | 16.5 | 61.64 | |
Chinese Standard Crane Rail
| Standard: YB/T5055-93 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Dimension(mm) | Weight (kg/m) |
Length(m) | |||
| Head | Height | Bottom | Thickness | |||
| QU 70 | 70 | 120 | 120 | 28 | 52.8 | 12 |
| QU 80 | 80 | 130 | 130 | 32 | 63.69 | |
| QU 100 | 100 | 150 | 150 | 38 | 88.96 | |
| QU 120 | 120 | 170 | 170 | 44 | 118.1 | |
What is the function of steel rail?
The primary function of steel rails is to provide a smooth, continuous, and low-friction surface for train wheels, guiding them safely along a specific path while bearing immense loads and transferring those forces to the track bed (sleepers/ballast). Beyond guiding and supporting, rails also act as electrical conductors for signaling systems in electrified railways and are essential for safe, efficient, and stable train movement.
Key Functions:
- Guidance & Support: They form parallel tracks, directing trains and supporting the massive weight of locomotives and carriages.
- Load Transfer: Rails absorb vertical pressure, impact, and lateral forces from wheels and distribute them to the sleepers, ballast, and subgrade.
- Low Friction Surface: The steel-on-steel contact creates minimal rolling resistance, allowing for energy-efficient movement.
- Signaling Conductor: In many systems, rails carry electrical signals to detect train presence, location, and movement, enabling safe operation.
- Stability & Durability: They create a stable foundation, resisting vibrations and providing a long-lasting track for high-speed and heavy-haul traffic.
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