Steel rail, we also called the railway track, it is crucial to the steel railing system. As a rail component of the railway system, steel rail guides the train forward and bears the enormous pressure. Meanwhile, the steel rails convey the pressure to the railway sleepers. So steel rails play a big role in the railway system and the quality of the steel rails is much important.
What are the different types of steel rail?
Steel rails can be classified according to various criteria, such as weight, size, shape, material, standard, and application. Here are some of the most common and widely used types:
Light steel rail
Light steel rail, also known as mining rail, refers to steel rails weighing ≤30kg/m.
Professional supplier of light steel rails from 8kg to 30kg,GNEE RAIL supporting multiple international standards for urban transit and industrial track systems.
The standard models we can provide include:
- GB standard: 8kg, 9kg, 12kg, 15kg, 18kg, 22kg, 24kg, 30kg
- JIS standard: JIS 15kg, 22kg, 30kg
- American standard: ASCE60, ASCE80, ASCE85
- EN standard: S18, S20, S24
| 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 Steel Rail
Heavy steel rails refer to rails with a weight of 38 kilograms or more per meter.
The cross-sectional shape of these rails is the same as that of light rails, but they have larger dimensions and greater weight per meter,thus significantly improving load-bearing capacity.
A specific type of heavy steel rail used in railway tracks is called P38,which weighs approximately 38 kilograms per meter.
The standard models we can provide include:
- GB standard: 38kg, 43kg, 50kg, 60kg, 75kg
- JIS standard: JIS 50N, JIS 60kg
- UIC Rail: UIC 54, UIC 60
- BS standard: BS 60A, BS 75A
| Classification | Height(mm) | Head (mm) | Bottom (mm) | Thick(mm) | Weight (kg/m) | |
| 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 Steel Rail
Crane Rail are specifically designed for overhead crane systems, gantry cranes, and industrial track systems where heavy lifting and repetitive movements occur. Crane rails include both main crane rails and trolley rails, both of which come into direct contact with the wheels.
| Classification | Height(mm) | Head (mm) | Bottom (mm) | Thick(mm) | Weight (kg/m) | |
| 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 | |
History of Track Rail
The railroad has shaped the course of history and industry by altering how people and goods are transported. The emergence of the mass market in the United States had a significant impact on the construction of rail networks interconnecting rural regions and distant urban centers. During the era of industrialization and the rise of mass markets, rail design and manufacturing has evolved away from using wood, cast iron, or wrought iron. Steel alloys have supplanted other materials in the production of structures for medium and heavy loads.
Engineering innovation, advances in metallurgy and improved steel manufacturing processes have standardized the available grades of steel rails. Conformance to standards varies between geographical regions. The US, UK, EU, Russia, China, and India have each developed separate standards. Each standard grade is made to cater for specified load-bearing, mechanical, and operational characteristics. The units of measurement vary between metric and imperial from one region to another, with imperial units still used in the US and UK.
At GNEE RAIL, we specialize in providing a full range of rail components, including heavy rail,light rail, crane rail and rail fastening, as well as matching high-performance rail clips and fastening solutions. Backed by strict quality control and industry certifications, our products are engineered to meet international standards and diverse project demands.
Whether you are building a new railway line or upgrading an existing network, we offer one-stop procurement services to simplify your sourcing process–ensuring timely delivery, competitive pricing, and professional technical support.
Contact us today to discover how we can power your railway success!
