How Many Types of Heavy-Duty Rails Are There?
1. Rail Classification
Track rails are the main components of railway tracks: they guide the wheels of locomotives and vehicles forward, bear the huge pressure of the wheels and transfer it to the sleepers. Normally, steel rail is divided into light rail, heavy rail and crane rail.
2. Types by Weight
| Category | Weights | Material | Length | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light rails | 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 22, 24, 30 kg/m | Q235B / 50Q / 55Q | 6-12 m | GB 11264 |
| Heavy rails | 38, 43, 50, 60 kg/m | U71Mn / 50Mn / 44Mn | 12 m, 12.5 m | GB 2585 |
| Crane rails | QU70, QU80, QU100, QU120 | U71Mn | 12 m, 12.5 m | GB 3426 |
3. National-Standard Heavy Rails
National-standard heavy steel rails refer to rail products with a larger unit-length weight, usually 38 kg/m and above, mainly including 50 kg, 60 kg, 75 kg and other models - the main rails used in China's railway trunk-line transportation. This type of rail has higher load-bearing capacity and structural stability, and is widely used in high-speed railways, passenger and freight railways, heavy-load transportation lines and coal transportation lines.
4. Design Significance
The design of national-standard heavy rails reflects the scientific nature of engineering structural mechanics and conforms to the development trend of high speed, large volume and long distance in modern railway transportation.
Request Rail Specifications & Pricing
Rail selection depends on axle load, operating speed, traffic volume, and application. Light rails are used for low-load industrial tracks, heavy rails for main-line and heavy-haul railways, and crane rails for crane runway systems. GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAYL supplies rail profiles and compatible fastening components for different track requirements.
