What are rail profiles?
Rail profiles are the specific cross-sectional shapes of railway tracks, defining the head (where wheels touch), web, and foot (base), designed to manage wheel-rail interaction, distribute loads, ensure smooth rides, minimize wear, and prevent derailments, with different profiles used for various speeds, loads, and track conditions.
- Head: The rounded top that contacts the train wheels, shaped for wear resistance and ride quality.
- Web: The vertical part connecting the head and foot.
- Foot (Base): The bottom, often flat, designed to interface with the fastening system (like sleepers or ties).
Types & Standards
- Standard Profiles: Common shapes like UIC60 (European) or American profiles (e.g., >90 lbs/yard).
- Grooved Rails: Used in tramways and urban transit for wheel flanges to run within.
- Special Profiles: Include guard rails at switches or curves to guide trains.
The function of steel rail
- Guidance: Rails act as a guiding path, directing the wheels of trains along a predetermined route and preventing lateral movement.
- Support & Load Transfer: They bear the enormous weight (pressure) from train wheels and distribute this load to the sleepers (ties) and the underlying ballast and subgrade.
- Smooth Rolling Surface: Rails offer a low-resistance, smooth surface for wheels to roll on, allowing for efficient and fast train movement.
- Structural Stability: Together with sleepers and other components, rails form the track structure, providing stability for the entire railway system.
- Electrical Conduction: In electrified railways, rails can serve as part of the track circuit, carrying signals or electrical current.
Different Standard of Steel Rail
As a professional rail fastener supplier, GNEE RAIL can provide different standard steel rail such as American, BS, UIC, DIN, JIS, Australian and South Africa which used in railway lines, cranes and coal mining.
Chinese standard steel rail
By the weight per meter, Chinese standard steel rail can be classified into three types, such as heavy rail, light rail and crane rail. When the weight per meter of steel rail is equal to or less than 30kg, it is called light rail. On the contrary, heavy rail is refer to the weight per meter of rail is more than 30kg.
| 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 | |
| Heavy Rail | 38 KG/M | 134 | 68 | 114 | 13 | 38.733 |
| 43 KG/M | 140 | 70 | 114 | 14.5 | 44.653 | |
| 45 KG/M | 145 | 67 | 126 | 14.5 | 45.546 | |
| 50 KG/M | 152 | 70 | 132 | 15.5 | 51.514 | |
| 60 KG/M | 176 | 73 | 150 | 16.5 | 60.64 | |
| Crane Rail | QU 70 | 120 | 70 | 120 | 28 | 52.8 |
| QU 80 | 130 | 80 | 130 | 32 | 63.69 | |
| QU 100 | 150 | 100 | 150 | 38 | 88.96 | |
| QU 120 | 170 | 120 | 170 | 44 | 118.1 | |
Britain standard
Generally, material of Britain standard steel rail is 700/900A. GNEE RAIL is a BS steel rail manufacturers from China, we can supply top BS11-1985 standard steel rail like 50O, 60A, 60R, and etc.
| Size | A | B | C | t | Weight (kg/m) |
| 50O | 52.39 | 100.01 | 100.01 | 10.32 | 24.833 |
| 60A | 57.15 | 114.3 | 109.54 | 11.11 | 30.618 |
| 60R | 57.15 | 114.3 | 109.54 | 11.11 | 29.822 |
| 70A | 60.32 | 123.82 | 111.12 | 12.3 | 34.807 |
| 75A | 61.91 | 128.59 | 114.3 | 12.7 | 37.455 |
| 75R | 61.91 | 128.59 | 122.24 | 13.1 | 37.041 |
| 80A | 63.5 | 133.35 | 117.47 | 13.1 | 39.761 |
| 80R | 63.5 | 133.35 | 127 | 13.49 | 39.674 |
| 90A | 66.67 | 142.88 | 127 | 13.98 | 45.099 |
| 100A | 69.85 | 152.4 | 133.35 | 15.08 | 50.182 |
| 113A | 69.85 | 158.75 | 139.7 | 20 | 56.398 |
Japanese industrial standard steel rail
Japanese industrial standard rail include 15 kg, 22kg, 30A, and etc. the material of JIS steel rail according to JIS e standard.
| Size | A | B | C | t | Weight (kg/m) |
| JIS 15kg | 42.86 | 79.37 | 79.37 | 8.33 | 15.2 |
| JIS 22kg | 50.8 | 93.66 | 93.66 | 10.72 | 22.3 |
| JIS 30A | 60.33 | 107.95 | 107.95 | 12.3 | 30.1 |
| JIS 37A | 62.71 | 122.24 | 122.24 | 13.49 | 37.2 |
| JIS 50N | 65 | 153 | 127 | 15 | 50.4 |
| CR 73 | 100 | 135 | 140 | 32 | 73.3 |
| CR 100 | 120 | 150 | 155 | 39 | 100.2 |
In addition to steel rails, GNEE RAIL also offers a wide range of rail components. We take quality and safety as our core in all products, rigorously testing every component to meet the highest industry standards. Contact us today to discuss your specific requirements.
