What is 115 RE Rail? Specifications, Applications, and Buying Guide
Selecting the correct rail profile is a critical decision for track designers, procurement managers, and railway engineers. Among the various heavy-haul rail profiles used globally, the 115 RE rail stands out as one of the most widely adopted standards.If you are evaluating steel rails for an upcoming transit, freight, or industrial railway project, this comprehensive guide covers the technical specifications, material standards, applications, and procurement considerations for 115 RE steel rails.
What is 115 RE Rail?
115 RE rail, also known as TR57 rail, is a standard T-section steel rail designed according to AREMA (American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association) standards. It has a nominal weight of 115 pounds per yard (approximately 56.9 kg/m ) and is widely used in heavy-duty mainlines, freight railroads, and transit systems.
115 RE Rail Dimensions and Technical Specifications
For engineering and design calculations, precise physical dimensions are critical. The table below outlines the standard dimensional parameters of the 115 RE rail profile under AREMA standards:
| Size | Rail height(mm) | Bottom Width(mm) | Head Width(mm) | Web Thickness(mm) | Weight(kg/m) |
| 90lb 90ARA-A (TR45) |
142.9 | 130.2 | 65.1 | 14.3 | 44.65 |
| 100lb 100RE | 152.4 | 136.5 | 68.3 | 14.3 | 50.34 |
| 115lb 115RE (TR57) | 168.3 | 139.7 | 69.1 | 15.9 | 56.9 |
| 119lb 119RE | 173.1 | 139.7 | 67.5 | 15.9 | 58.86 |
| 132lb 132RE | 180.9 | 152.4 | 76.2 | 16.6 | 65.58 |
| 133lb 133RE | 179.39 | 152.4 | 76.2 | 17.46 | 66.1 |
| 136lb 136RE (TR68) | 185.7 | 152.4 | 74.6 | 17.5 | 67.5 |
| 141lb 141RE | 188.91 | 152.4 | 77.79 | 17.46 | 69.94 |
Section Properties
| Area | 11.25 in² |
| Head Section Modulus | 18.0 in³ |
| Base Section Modulus | 22.0 in³ |
| Moment of Inertia | 65.6 in⁴ |
If you have special requirements for 115 lb rail dimensions, please contact us for special custom production.
Material Steel Grades and Chemical Composition
To withstand heavy axle loads and high rolling contact fatigue, the 115RE rail is designed and manufactured using high-quality steel in accordance with the AREMA 115RE rail steel specifications. Depending on the operational environment, these rails are available in two primary chemical classifications-carbon steel rail and low alloy steel rail-to meet diverse track performance requirements.
1. Steel Grades and Mechanical Properties of 115RE Steel Rail
Under the AREMA standards, 115RE track rail is categorized into three distinct strength levels for both chemical formulations:
Carbon Steel Chemistry:
- Standard Strength (SS): Hardness ≥ 310 HB, Tensile Strength ≥ 142.5 ksi, Elongation ≥ 10%.
- Intermediate Strength (IS): Hardness ≥ 350 HB, Tensile Strength ≥ 155.0 ksi, Elongation ≥ 10%.
- High Strength / Head Hardened (HH): Hardness ≥ 370 HB, Tensile Strength ≥ 171.0 ksi, Elongation ≥ 10%.
Low Alloy Steel Chemistry:
- Standard Strength (LA): Hardness ≥ 310 HB, Tensile Strength ≥ 142.5 ksi, Elongation ≥ 10%.
- Intermediate Strength (IH): Hardness ≥ 325 HB, Tensile Strength ≥ 147.0 ksi, Elongation ≥ 8%.
- High Strength / Head Hardened (LH): Hardness ≥ 370 HB, Tensile Strength ≥ 171.0 ksi, Elongation ≥ 10%.
| Mechanical Properties of AREMA 115RE Rail Steel | |||||
| Specs | Steel Grade | Hardness | Tensile Strength | Yield Strength | Elongation |
| (grade shown on web) | HB | ksi | ksi | % | |
| AREMA(with Carbon Steel chemistry) | Standard Strength (SS) | ≥ 310 | ≥ 142.5 | ≥ 74.0 | ≥ 10 |
| Intermediate Strength (IS) | ≥ 350 | ≥ 155.0 | ≥ 105.0 | ≥ 10 | |
| High Strength / Head Hardened (HH) | ≥ 370 | ≥ 171.0 | ≥ 120.0 | ≥ 10 | |
| AREMA(with Low Alloy Steel chemistry) | Standard Strength (LA) | ≥ 310 | ≥ 142.5 | ≥ 74.0 | ≥ 10 |
| Intermediate Strength (IH) | ≥ 325 | ≥ 147.0 | ≥ 80.0 | ≥ 8 | |
| High Strength / Head Harderned (LH) | ≥ 370 | ≥ 171.0 | ≥ 120.0 | ≥ 10 | |
2. Chemical Composition of AREMA 115RE Rail
The mechanical performance of this heavy-haul railway rail is directly governed by its chemical makeup. Based on the AREMA 2019 specification, the primary alloying elements are balanced as follows:
Carbon Steel Chemistry:
- Designed with a higher carbon range (C: 0.74%–0.86%) and manganese (Mn: 0.75%–1.25%) to ensure a robust, fine-pearlite structure.
- Silicon (Si) is limited to 0.10%–0.60%, and chromium (Cr) remains a residual element at ≤ 0.30%.
Low Alloy Steel Chemistry:
- Maintains a slightly lower, more ductile carbon range (C: 0.72%–0.82%) but introduces chromium to enhance hardenability and wear resistance.
- Standard Strength (LA) contains Cr of 0.25%–0.40%.
- Intermediate Strength (IH) and High Strength (LH) contain Cr of 0.40%–0.70% along with a wider silicon allowance (Si: 0.10%–1.00%) to improve the overall steel strength.
- For all low alloy grades, phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S) are strictly controlled at ≤ 0.020% to minimize steel impurities.
| Chemical Composition of TR57 steel rail | ||||||||||
| AREMA 2019 | C% | Mn% | P% | S% | Si% | Ni% | Cr% | Mo% | V% | Al% |
| Carbon Steel | 0.74 - 0.86 | 0.75 - 1.25 | ≤ 0.020 | ≤ 0.020 | 0.10 - 0.60 | ≤ 0.25 | ≤ 0.30 | ≤ 0.060 | ≤ 0.010 | ≤ 0.010 |
| Low Alloy Steel (for Std Strength) | 0.72 - 0.82 | 0.80 - 1.10 | ≤ 0.020 | ≤ 0.020 | 0.10 - 0.50 | ≤ 0.15 | 0.25 - 0.40 | ≤ 0.050 | ≤ 0.010 | ≤ 0.005 |
| Low Alloy Steel (for Int. & High Strength) | 0.72 - 0.82 | 0.70 - 1.25 | ≤ 0.020 | ≤ 0.020 | 0.10 - 1.00 | ≤ 0.15 | 0.40 - 0.70 | ≤ 0.050 | ≤ 0.010 | ≤ 0.005 |
Primary Applications of 115 RE Steel Rail
Due to its robust performance-to-weight ratio, 115 RE rail is favored across several demanding transportation sectors:
- Class I Freight Railroads: Used widely in North American and global freight networks handling medium-to-heavy freight shipments.
- Metro and Light Rail Transit (LRT): Many urban mass transit networks specify 115 RE for mainline tracks due to its stability and compatibility with standard concrete or timber sleepers.
- Industrial and Mining Tracks: Ideal for private sidings, mineral hauling lines, and steel mills where continuous operation under heavy cargo is expected.
- Port and Marine Terminals: Installed on crane runways and dockside rail networks to facilitate container transport.
Essential Accessories for 115 RE Track Systems
Building a reliable railway track involves more than just the rails. GNEE RAIL provides a comprehensive range of fasteners compatible with 115RE AREMA rail, enabling you to efficiently lower your procurement costs.
- 115 RE Joint Bars (Fishplates): Designed specifically to fit the fishing angles of the 115 RE profile. Standard 4-hole or 6-hole joint bars are available.
- Track Bolts & Nuts: High-tensile bolts used to secure the joint bars.
- Tie Plates (Sole Plates): Provide a flat bearing surface on timber or concrete sleepers, distributing the load and maintaining track gauge.
- Elastic Rail Clips: Fastening clips (such as E-clips or SKL clips) that secure the rail to the tie plate.
- Rail Anchors: Prevents longitudinal rail movement (creep) caused by temperature changes and braking forces.
Why choose gNEE RAIL?
At GNEE RAIL, we recognize that when sourcing AREMA 115RE steel rail, thorough quality control and compliance with international standards are essential for ensuring long-term track safety and operational reliability. To meet these demands, our 115RE rail products undergo standard, rigorous testing protocols both during and after the hot-rolling process:
- Ultrasonic Testing (UT): Every finished 115RE railroad rail is scanned along its entire length to detect potential internal defects, voids, or microscopic cracks, verifying its structural integrity before delivery.
- Geometric Tolerance Inspection: We carefully measure the height, base width, web thickness, and straightness of our 115RE T-rail products to confirm they align with the precise dimensional tolerances specified by AREMA.
- Macroetch Testing: This process is used on cross-sections of the 115RE rail sections to evaluate internal steel soundness and check for any chemical segregation.
- Tensile and Hardness Testing: We conduct systematic mechanical tests to verify that the yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, and surface hardness of our 115RE railway track supply comply with your designated grade (such as Standard Strength or Head Hardened).
All TR57 rail supplied by GNEE RAIL (i.e., AREMA 115RE rail) is manufactured and inspected in strict accordance with North American AREMA standards. To ensure full traceability of product quality, we provide detailed original mill certificates along with each delivery, accompanied by Material Test Certificates (MTC), fatigue test reports, and comprehensive mechanical and chemical property test data. Furthermore, we fully support and cooperate with third-party authorized inspection agencies (such as SGS, TÜV, etc.) in on-site inspections and random sampling testing. Through a rigorous and transparent process, we ensure that every piece of TR57 steel rail meets your actual requirements for track safety and long-term operational performance.
FAQ
Q1: Is 115 RE rail identical to TR57 rail?
Yes, for most practical applications. "TR57" is the European standard designation (equivalent to 56.9 kg/m ), which corresponds to the same physical dimensions and cross-sectional profile as the North American 115 RE rail.
Q2: What standard lengths are available for 115 RE rails?
Standard delivery lengths are usually 39 feet or 80 feet in imperial markets, or 12 to 24 meters in metric markets. However, customized lengths can be produced to fit specific curve layouts or transport constraints.
Get a Quote in 24 Hours
At GNEE RAIL, we specialize in supplying standard AREMA 115 RE steel rails along with their complete fastening systems. Our manufacturing partners adhere strictly to ISO 9001 quality management standards, ensuring every batch of rails meets your project's technical requirements.
- Comprehensive Material Testing: Mill test certificates (MTC) according to EN 10204 3.1 are provided with every shipment.
- Customization: We offer customized drilling, custom lengths, and head-hardened options.
- One-Stop Logistics: We coordinate global maritime shipping, including bulk vessel and containerized delivery, to ensure your materials arrive safely and on schedule.
Contact our engineering and sales team today to discuss your specifications and receive a tailored, no-obligation quote.
