What the 60E2 Rail Profile Is
The 60E2 is a 60 kg/m flat-bottom (Vignole) rail section used on European high-speed and heavy-haul lines. It belongs to the same family as 60E1, generally known as UIC60, and is specified under EN 13674-1, the European standard covering Vignole rails of 46 kg/m and above. Both profiles share the same nominal envelope: 172 mm rail height, 150 mm foot width, 72 mm head width and a 16.5 mm web. Their theoretical masses differ slightly, 60.21 kg/m for 60E1 and 60.03 kg/m for 60E2, because the head and web contours are refined differently while the overall outline is retained.
For track design the practical consequence is that turnout geometry, fastening components, fishplates and welding procedures built around a 60 kg/m European envelope remain valid, whereas section properties such as second moment of area, section modulus and mass per metre for ballast and sleeper loading must be calculated against the exact profile ordered.
Dimensional Data
The table below lists nominal dimensions and masses of the main European profiles. All values are nominal and are subject to the rolling tolerances and straightness limits of EN 13674-1.
| Profile | Rail height A (mm) | Foot width B (mm) | Head width C (mm) | Web thickness t (mm) | Mass (kg/m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54E3 (DIN S54) | 154.00 | 125.00 | 67.00 | 16.00 | 54.57 |
| 54E4 | 154.00 | 125.00 | 67.00 | 16.00 | 54.31 |
| 54E5 (54E1AHC) | 159.00 | 140.00 | 70.20 | 16.00 | 54.42 |
| 55E1 | 155.00 | 134.00 | 62.00 | 19.00 | 56.03 |
| 56E1 (BS113 lb) | 158.75 | 140.00 | 69.85 | 20.00 | 56.30 |
| 60E1 (UIC60) | 172.00 | 150.00 | 72.00 | 16.50 | 60.21 |
| 60E2 | 172.00 | 150.00 | 72.00 | 16.50 | 60.03 |
How 60E2 Sits Between Neighbouring Profiles
The 54E3 and 54E4 sections carry roughly 10 percent less mass per metre than 60E2 and are normally found on secondary lines, yards and older corridors where axle loads stay moderate. The 55E1 and 56E1 profiles sit in the middle of the range and are frequently specified for mixed traffic. Moving up to 60E1 or 60E2 raises the section modulus of the head and foot, which lowers rail bending stress for a given wheel load and is the main reason 60 kg/m sections dominate new high-speed construction.
Within the 60 kg/m pair, choosing 60E2 rather than 60E1 is generally a matter of project standardisation: the envelope, clip systems, pads and joint bars are compatible, and the small mass difference of about 0.18 kg/m has no meaningful effect on ballast pressure or sleeper spacing calculations at normal support conditions.
Steel Grades and Mechanical Requirements
EN 13674-1 sets out the steel grades supplied in a 60E2 section. Plain carbon rail steel R260 has a minimum tensile strength of 880 MPa with a hardness range of 260 to 300 HBW. Head-hardened R350HT is specified with a minimum tensile strength of 1175 MPa and a hardness range of 350 to 390 HBW, while the higher alloyed R400HT reaches a minimum tensile strength of 1280 MPa with a hardness range of 400 to 440 HBW. Hardness is verified by traverses taken on the rail head, since wear resistance in curved track is governed by head hardness rather than by tensile strength alone.
Inspection, Testing and Documentation
Rails are delivered with inspection documents to EN 10204 type 3.1. These cover ladle and product chemical analysis, tensile testing, head hardness traverses, dimensional and straightness verification, and the drilling pattern for fishbolt holes where drilled rails are ordered. Ultrasonic testing of head and web for internal discontinuities, together with surface examination for rolling marks and decarburisation limits, forms the release routine before despatch. Consistency between the mill certificate and the actual heat number stamped on each rail is the first item to confirm on receipt.
Applications and Selection Notes
Typical uses for the 60E2 section include high-speed passenger main lines, heavy-haul freight corridors and mixed-traffic routes where 60 kg/m rail is already the installed standard. On sharp curves and on lines with high axle loads the head-hardened grades are normally selected to extend grinding intervals. On plain line with moderate curvature, R260 remains an economical choice. Because the profile is welded into continuous strings by flash butt or aluminothermic methods, welding procedures are usually qualified against the actual grade and section combination rather than against the profile name alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is 60E2 the same as UIC60?
A: No. UIC60 corresponds to the 60E1 profile, mass 60.21 kg/m. 60E2 shares the same 172 mm height, 150 mm foot and 72 mm head but has a nominal mass of 60.03 kg/m, so the two are dimensionally close yet not identical in section properties.
Q: Which standard governs the 60E2 profile?
A: EN 13674-1, covering Vignole railway rails of 46 kg/m and above, defines the profile dimensions, tolerances, steel grades and acceptance tests.
Q: What is the weight of 60E2 rail in kilograms per metre?
A: The nominal mass is 60.03 kg/m. Rolling tolerances allow a small deviation, so weighbridge figures should be compared against the standard allowance rather than the nominal value alone.
Q: Can 60E1 and 60E2 rails be joined in the same track?
A: They can be joined because the head, foot and height envelopes match, but the joint bar must be matched to the actual head and foot contact faces, and welded joints require a procedure qualified for both sections.
Q: Which grade should be used in curves?
A: Head-hardened R350HT or R400HT is normally specified for curves and for high axle load corridors, while R260 is adequate for plain line with moderate curvature.
Q: What documentation is supplied with a rail order?
A: Inspection documents to EN 10204 type 3.1 with chemical analysis, tensile results, head hardness traverses, dimensional records and ultrasonic test reports.
