What Are the Parts of a Railway Track?
A railway track is made up of several parts that work together to provide a safe and stable surface for trains to run on.
Here are the main parts of a railway track:
Rails
Rails are the long, straight bars that make up the track itself. They are typically made of steel and come in various lengths and sizes, depending on the type of track and the weight of the trains that will run on it. Rails are usually laid in pairs, with a small gap between them to allow for thermal expansion.
Rails must be strong enough to withstand the weight of trains and the forces that are generated as the wheels roll over them. They must also be durable enough to resist wear and tear from constant use, as well as from exposure to the elements.
- Heavy Steel Rail
- Light Steel Rail
- Crane Rail
- Other Standard Rail
| Rail Type | Standard | Size | Material | Standard Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QU Series | Chinese YB/T 5055-2014 |
QU70, QU80, QU100, QU120 |
U71Mn, U75V | 12m |
| A Series | German DIN536 |
A45, A55, A65, A75, A100, A120, A150 |
50Mn,U71Mn | 10/12/15m |
| ASCE Series | American ASTM, AREMA |
ASCE25, ASCE40, ASCE60, ASCE75, ASCE85, ASCE90, ASCE115, ASCE136 |
700/900A/1100 | 6-12m, 12-25m |
| UIC Series | International Union of Railways UIC860-0, EN-13674-1 |
UIC50, UIC54, UIC60 | 900A/1100 | 12-25m |
| Mining Rail | GB /T 11264-2012 | 8kg, 9kg, 12kg, 15kg, 18kg, 22kg, 24kg, 30kg |
Q235B, 55Q | 6-24m |
| Heavy Railroad Rails | GB 2585-2007 | 38kg, 43kg, 50kg, 60kg, 75kg | 50Mn,U71Mn | 6-24m |
| BS Series | British BS11-1985 |
BS50'O',BS60A,BS60R, BS75A,BS75R,BS80A, BS100A,BS113A |
700/900A | 8-25m |
| JIS Series | Japanese JIS E1103/1101 |
15kg, 22kg, 30A, 37A, 50N, CR73, CR100 |
According to JIS | 9-10m |
| AS Series | Australian AS 1085 |
31kg, 41kg, 47kg, 50kg, 53kg, 60kg, 66kg, 68kg, 73kg, 86kg, 89kg |
900A/1100 | 8-25m |
| EN Series | EN Standard EN 13674-4 |
54E1, 60E1, 39E1, 45E1, 49E1, 49E2, 49E5, 50E1, 50E6, 54E4 | R200, R260, R260MN, R350HT | 6-24m |
| ISCOR Series | South African ISCOR |
15kg, 22kg, 30kg, 40kg, 48kg, 57kg |
700/900A | 9-25m |
Sleepers (Ties)
Sleepers, also known as ties in North America, are the rectangular blocks that support the rails and hold them in place. They are typically made of wood, concrete, or steel, and are spaced at regular intervals along the track.
Sleepers must be strong enough to support the weight of the rails and the trains that run on them, as well as to resist the lateral forces that are generated as trains go around curves. They must also be durable enough to resist rot, decay, and damage from weather and other sources.
Ballast
Ballast is a layer of coarse, crushed rock that is spread over the sleepers to provide a stable foundation for the track. It helps distribute the weight of the trains and prevent the sleepers from shifting or sinking into the ground.
Ballast also serves to drain water away from the track, preventing the formation of mud and other types of soil erosion. It must be properly compacted and graded to ensure that it remains stable over time.
Fastenings
Fastenings are the clips, bolts, and other hardware that hold the rails to the sleepers. They are designed to keep the rails securely in place, while allowing them to expand and contract with changes in temperature.
Fastenings must be strong enough to resist the forces generated by trains, but also flexible enough to allow for movement in the rail. They must also be durable enough to resist corrosion and other forms of wear and tear.
GNEE RAIL offers different kinds of railway fasteners to meet client's requirements, such as Elastic Rail Clip and Clamp, Rail Screw Spike, Plastic Dowel, High Tensile Track Bolt with Nut, Rail Base(Tie) Plate, Rail Fish Plate, Railway Shoulder(Insert), Fish Bolt, Railroad Rubber and EVA Pad, etc. Samples and drawings provided by customer, we will manufacture qualified products accordingly.
Fishplates
Fishplates, also known as joint bars or splice bars, are used to connect two rails together at a joint. They are typically made of steel and are bolted to the sides of the rails.
Fishplates must be strong enough to maintain the integrity of the track at the joint, while allowing for the expansion and contraction of the rails. They must also be properly aligned and tightened to prevent the joint from becoming loose or unstable.
GNEE RAIL supply more than 30 types of rail joints, according to different standards:
- Rail joints for light rail: 8kg, 9kg, 12kg, 15kg, 18kg, 22kg, 24kg and 30kg
- Rail joints for heavy rail: 38kg, 43kg, 50kg and 60kg
- Rail joints for crane rail: QU70, QU80, QU100 and QU120
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.
