What the 60 kg Figure Actually Means
A 60 kg rail is named after its theoretical mass of approximately 60 kilograms per metre of length. The number is a section designation, not the mass of a delivered piece. A 12.5 m length of a 60.64 kg/m section therefore weighs about 758 kg, and a 25 m length about 1,516 kg, before drilling or cutting.
The designation is also a source of confusion in international purchasing, because two distinct families of 60 kg rail exist. One is 60E1, the European flat-bottom section standardised in EN 13674-1 and historically known as UIC 60. The other is the Chinese 60 kg/m rail defined in GB/T 2585 and used with the Chinese fastening systems. They share a nominal mass but not identical geometry, and they are not interchangeable in every fastening assembly.
Dimensional and Mass Data for 60 kg Sections
| Designation | Theoretical mass | Height | Foot width | Head width | Web thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 kg/m rail, GB/T 2585 | 60.64 kg/m | 176 mm | 150 mm | 73 mm | 16.5 mm |
| 60E1, EN 13674-1 | 60.21 kg/m | 172 mm | 150 mm | 72 mm | 16.5 mm |
| 136RE, AREMA section | 67.41 kg/m (136 lb/yd) | 185.7 mm | 152.4 mm | 74.6 mm | 17.5 mm |
The table is the practical answer to the weight question. For the European 60E1 section the theoretical figure is 60.21 kg per metre. For the Chinese 60 kg/m section the theoretical figure is 60.64 kg per metre. The North American 136RE section is heavier, at 136 pounds per yard, which converts to 67.41 kg per metre.
Why the Delivered Weight Differs from the Theoretical Figure
Three effects move the delivered weight away from the theoretical value:
1. Rolling tolerances. Rail standards define permissible deviations on height, foot width, head width and web thickness, and these small deviations change the cross-sectional area and therefore the mass per metre.
2. Length tolerance and end cropping. A nominal 25 m rail is supplied within a length tolerance, and the sawn or milled ends remove material.
3. Drilling and machining. Bolt holes for fishplates, web holes for bonding, weld preparation and 45 degree mitre cuts on crane or turnout rails all reduce the finished weight.
For commercial purposes, rail is usually bought and sold on theoretical mass per metre multiplied by nominal length, with the acceptance criteria taken from the relevant standard rather than from a weighbridge reading. Where a project requires weight-based settlement, the contract should state which section, which standard and which nominal length are the basis of the calculation.
Length, Joint Hardware and Handling Implications
The mass per metre decides how the rail is handled and how its accessories are sized. A 25 m length of 60.64 kg/m rail presents about 1,516 kg to the crane, so lifting beams, slings and rail trolleys must be rated for that load plus dynamic allowance. For jointed track, the fishplate, bolts and nuts must match the rail section and the hole pattern: a 60 kg/m rail joint normally uses a six-hole fishplate with high-strength bolts of property class 8.8 or above as defined in ISO 898-1, while smaller sections commonly use a four-hole pattern.
Thermal effects should also be accounted for. Steel expands about 0.0115 mm per metre per degree Celsius. A 25 m rail installed at 15 degrees Celsius and later heated to 45 degrees Celsius grows by roughly 8.6 mm, which is absorbed by the joint gap in jointed track or by the fastener and the rail anchor in continuously welded track.
Ordering and Verification Checklist
When specifying a 60 kg rail, state the section designation and the standard, for example 60E1 to EN 13674-1 with steel grade R260 or R350HT, or 60 kg/m to GB/T 2585 with the required steel grade. Confirm the following at order review: section and standard, steel grade and its mechanical properties, nominal length and length tolerance, drilling pattern, end finish, straightness requirement, and whether ultrasonic testing is required.
On delivery, verify the section stamp or the paint marking on the web, the nominal length, the presence of the mill test certificate, and the condition of the rail base and head. Any rail that has been badly handled should be checked for local deformation, because a bent or twisted rail cannot be relied upon to give the design rail seat load distribution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the correct weight of a 60 kg rail?
A: It depends on the section. 60E1 to EN 13674-1 has a theoretical mass of 60.21 kg per metre, and the Chinese 60 kg/m section to GB/T 2585 has 60.64 kg per metre. Both are sold as 60 kg rail.
Q: How much does a 25 m length of 60 kg rail weigh?
A: About 1,505 kg for the 60.21 kg/m section and about 1,516 kg for the 60.64 kg/m section, before drilling or end cropping.
Q: Are 60E1 and 60 kg/m rail interchangeable?
A: Not universally. They are close in mass but differ in height and head width, so fishplates, clips, pads and tie plates must be matched to the actual section and to its hole pattern.
Q: Is the weight per metre measured or calculated?
A: It is normally calculated from the nominal cross-sectional area and stated as theoretical mass. Rolling tolerances and end finishing change the delivered weight slightly, so acceptance is judged against the standard.
Q: Which rail grade should be used for a 60 kg rail on a heavy-haul line?
A: A head-hardened grade such as R350HT to EN 13674-1 is common where curves and high axle loads cause rapid head wear; standard R260 is used on tangent track and lower-wear locations.
Q: Does drilling reduce the rail weight enough to matter commercially?
A: The material removed by bolt holes is small compared with the length tolerance, and rail is normally traded on theoretical mass per metre times nominal length. Drilling is a cost and inspection item rather than a weight item.