Rail Classification & Use: Crane, Heavy & Light Rails Explained
The rail is the running surface of the railway: its I-shaped cross-section - rail head, web and foot - is designed for maximum bending resistance while keeping weight manageable. Rails are classified primarily by their mass per linear meter (kg/m), which determines the traffic they can carry. The three families are crane rails, heavy rails and light rails.
1. Crane Rails
Crane rails are designed for cranes and their trolleys, characterized by a lower height and a wider head and web than general rails, for stability and load capacity under crane wheels. Four main specifications:
|
Specification |
Nominal Mass (kg/m) |
|---|---|
|
QU70 |
52.8 |
|
QU80 |
63.7 |
|
QU100 |
88.9 |
|
QU120 |
118.1 (the heaviest of the four) |
Crane rails are usually made from manganese steel (e.g., U71Mn), and are supplied per GB/T 2585 (China) or equivalent standards for industrial crane runways, ports and heavy-plant installations.
2. Heavy Rails
Heavy rails - nominal weight above 30 kg/m - carry mainline train traffic and crane tracks, and must withstand heavy pressure, impact loads and friction. They are classified by steel type: ordinary manganese rails, copper-bearing carbon steel rails, high-silicon copper-bearing rails, copper rails, manganese rails and silicon rails. Modern Chinese heavy rail grades are specified in TB/T 2344 (e.g., U71Mn, U75V, U78CrV) and GB/T 2585.
| Mass (kg/m) | Use |
|---|---|
| 38 / 43 / 50 | Branch lines, yards and lighter mainline service |
| 60 / 75 | Main heavy-haul and high-speed lines |
Standard lengths are 12.5 m and 25 m; long rails of 50 m and 100 m are produced for modern continuously welded rail (CWR) track, reducing joints and maintenance.
3. Light Rails
Light rails - up to 30 kg/m - serve forest areas, mines, factories and construction sites, laid for temporary transportation and light locomotives. National-standard models include 9, 12, 15, 22 and 30 kg/m (per GB/T 11264); departmental (ministry) standards add 8, 18 and 24 kg/m variants (e.g., per former YB standards).
| Classification | Height(mm) | Head (mm) | Bottom (mm) | Thick(mm) | Weight (kg/m) | |
| Light Rail | 8 KG/M | 65 | 25 | 54 | 7 | 8.42 |
| 9 KG/M | 63.5 | 32.1 | 63.5 | 5.9 | 8.94 | |
| 12 KG/M | 69.85 | 38.1 | 69.85 | 7.54 | 12.2 | |
| 15 KG/M | 79.37 | 42.86 | 79.37 | 8.33 | 15.2 | |
| 18 KG/M | 80 | 40 | 80 | 10 | 18.06 | |
| 22 KG/M | 93.66 | 50.8 | 93.66 | 10.72 | 22.3 | |
| 24 KG/M | 107 | 51 | 90 | 10.9 | 24.46 | |
| 30 KG/M | 107.95 | 60.33 | 107.95 | 12.3 | 30.1 | |
4. Selection Logic
Heavy rails: mainline trains, heavy locomotives and crane runways - where strength, toughness and wear resistance under repeated impact are essential.
Light rails: light-load, low-speed lines - flexibility and lower cost matter more than ultimate strength.
Crane rails: dedicated crane service - profile geometry (low height, wide head and web) is chosen for wheel-load stability, not train running.
Choose the rail class by the duty: crane rails for crane runways, heavy rails for train traffic by axle load and speed, light rails for light industrial and temporary lines. Confirm the mass per meter, steel grade and standard.
Get a Quote for Steel Rails
The selection of crane, heavy, and light rails depends on the required load capacity, rail profile, operating conditions, and application. GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAYL supplies different rail profiles and steel grades for railway, mining, crane, and industrial track applications, with technical specifications and customized processing available according to project requirements.
