The 115 lb rail height is one of the most frequently searched specifications for engineers, contractors, railway maintenance teams, and rail procurement specialists. In North American railway systems, the 115 lb rail is commonly designated as 115RE rail or TR57 rail, a standard heavy rail section developed to AREMA specifications.
The standard height of a 115RE rail is 168.3 mm (6.625 inches), making it suitable for heavy-haul railways, industrial sidings, mining railways, and freight networks. Understanding the complete rail profile-including height, head width, base width, and web thickness-is essential for track design, maintenance, fastening selection, and rail replacement projects.
What Is the Exact Height of a 115 lb Rail?
The standard height of a 115 lb rail (115RE rail) is:
| Parameter | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Rail Height | 6.625 in | 168.3 mm |
| Base Width | 5.500 in | 139.7 mm |
| Head Width | 2.719 in | 69.1 mm |
| Web Thickness | 0.625 in | 15.9 mm |
| Nominal Weight | 115 lb/yd | 56.9 kg/m |
The 168.3 mm rail height is measured vertically from the bottom of the rail base to the top running surface of the rail head. This dimension is critical because it influences wheel-rail contact geometry, rail stiffness, track modulus, and compatibility with fastening systems and rail joints.
Although commonly referred to as a "115 lb rail," the actual theoretical weight of a standard 115RE section is approximately 114.4–115 pounds per yard, equivalent to 56.9 kilograms per meter.
What Are the Complete Dimensions of a 115RE Rail Profile?
The 115RE rail profile was standardized by the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) and remains widely used throughout North America and in global railway export projects.
| 115RE Rail Profile Dimensions | Value |
|---|---|
| Rail Height (H) | 168.3 mm |
| Base Width (B) | 139.7 mm |
| Head Width (A) | 69.1 mm |
| Web Thickness (C) | 15.9 mm |
| Cross-sectional Area | 72.58 cm² |
| Nominal Weight | 56.9 kg/m |
| Rail Designation | 115RE / TR57 |
The profile is engineered to balance strength, wear resistance, fatigue performance, and manufacturing efficiency. The relatively wide base improves lateral stability, while the optimized head geometry enhances wheel contact performance and extends rail service life under high axle loads.
115RE Rail Technical Specifications
| Specification | 115RE Rail |
|---|---|
| Standard | AREMA |
| Alternative Name | 115 lb Rail / TR57 Rail |
| Nominal Weight | 56.9 kg/m |
| Rail Height | 168.3 mm |
| Base Width | 139.7 mm |
| Head Width | 69.1 mm |
| Web Thickness | 15.9 mm |
| Typical Steel Grades | 900A, 1100, R260, R350HT |
| Standard Lengths | 12–25 m |
| Applications | Freight, Mining, Industrial Railways |
Why Is the 115RE Rail Height Important in Railway Design?
Rail height directly affects the structural behavior of a railway track. A taller rail section generally provides greater bending resistance and load‑carrying capacity. The 168.3 mm height of the 115RE rail offers a balance between strength and economy, making it suitable for medium- to heavy-duty railway applications.
Track engineers use rail height when calculating:
- Rail bending stress under axle loads
- Track stiffness and deflection
- Fastening system compatibility
- Rail replacement planning
- Ballast and sleeper design requirements
- Wheel-rail interaction characteristics
When replacing existing rails, matching the original rail height is often essential to avoid transitions that can create impact loads, accelerated wear, or maintenance issues.
GNEE RAIL 115RE Rail Supply Solutions
GNEE RAIL supplies 115RE rail manufactured to AREMA specifications for railway construction, industrial rail systems, mining operations, and infrastructure projects worldwide. In addition to 115 lb rail, GNEE RAIL provides a complete range of steel rail products including AREMA rails, UIC rails, EN standard rails, BS standard rails, ASCE rails, DIN 536 crane rails, QU crane rails, and customized rail sections.
UIC rails
| Size | DIMENSIONS (mm) | Weight | Materials | Length | |||
| Head | Height | Bottom | Web Thickness | (KG/M) | (m) | ||
| U.I.C.50 | 70 | 152 | 125 | 15 | 50.46 | 900A/1100 | 12-25 |
| U.I.C.54 | 70 | 159 | 140 | 16 | 54.43 | 900A/1100 | 12-25 |
| U.I.C.60 | 74.3 | 172 | 150 | 16.5 | 60.21 | 900A/1100 | 12-25 |
AREMA rails
| Rail Type | Head (mm) | Height (mm) | Base (mm) | Web (mm) | Nominal weight (kg/m) | Material | Length (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 175LBS Rail | 109.86 | 152.4 | 152.4 | 38.1 | 86.8 | 900A/1100 | 12-25 |
| 115RE Rail | 69.06 | 168.28 | 139.7 | 15.88 | 56.9 | 900A/1100 | 12-25 |
| 136RE Rail | 74.61 | 185.74 | 152.4 | 17.46 | 67.41 | 900A/1100 | 12-25 |
| 90RA Rail | 65.09 | 142.88 | 130.18 | 14.29 | 44.65 | 900A/1100 | 12-25 |
| ASCE 85 Rail | 65.09 | 131.76 | 131.76 | 14.29 | 42.17 | 900A/1100 | 12-25 |
| ASCE 75 Rail | 62.71 | 122.24 | 122.24 | 13.49 | 37.2 | 900A/1100 | 12-25 |
| ASCE 60 Rail | 60.32 | 107.95 | 107.95 | 12.3 | 29.76 | 700 | 6-12 |
| ASCE 50 Rail | 54 | 98.4 | 98.4 | 11.11 | 24.855 | 700 | 6-12 |
| ASCE 40 Rail | 47.62 | 88.9 | 88.9 | 9.92 | 19.84 | 700 | 6-12 |
| ASCE 30 Rail | 42.86 | 79.38 | 79.38 | 8.33 | 14.88 | 700 | 6-12 |
| ASCE 25 Rail | 38.1 | 69.85 | 69.85 | 7.54 | 12.4 | 700 | 6-12 |
EN standard rails
| Rail Type | Head width (mm) | Height (mm) | Base width (mm) | Web thickness (mm) | Nominal weight (kg/m) | Material | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60E1 (UIC60) | 72 | 172 | 150 | 16.5 | 60.21 | R260/R350HT | 12-25 |
| 55E1 (U55) | 62 | 155 | 134 | 19 | 56.03 | R260/R350HT | 12-25 |
| 54E1 (UIC54) | 70 | 159 | 140 | 16 | 54.77 | R260/R350HT | 12-25 |
| 50E1 (U50E) | 65 | 153 | 134 | 15.5 | 50.37 | R260/R350HT | 12-25 |
| 49E1 (S49) | 67 | 149 | 125 | 14 | 49.39 | R260/R350HT | 12-25 |
| 50E2 (50EB-T) | 72 | 151 | 140 | 15 | 49.97 | R260/R350HT | 12-25 |
| 49E2 (S49T) | 67 | 148 | 125 | 14 | 49.1 | R260/R350HT | 12-25 |
| 54E3 (S54) | 67 | 154 | 125 | 16 | 54.57 | R260/R350HT | 12-25 |
| 50E4 (UIC50) | 70 | 152 | 125 | 15 | 50.46 | R260/R350HT | 12-25 |
| 50E5 (50 UNI) | 67 | 148 | 135 | 14 | 49.9 | R260/R350HT | 12-25 |
| 50E6 (U50) | 65 | 153 | 140 | 15.5 | 50.9 | R260/R350HT | 12-25 |
BS standard rails
| Size | Head (mm) | Height (mm) | Base (mm) | Web (mm) | Nominal weight (kg/m) | Material | Length (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BS113A Rail | 69.85 | 158.75 | 139.7 | 20 | 56.398 | 900A | 8-25 |
| BS100A Rail | 69.85 | 152.4 | 133.35 | 15.08 | 50.182 | 900A | 8-25 |
| BS90A Rail | 66.67 | 142.88 | 127 | 13.89 | 45.099 | 900A | 8-25 |
| BS80A Rail | 63.5 | 133.35 | 117.47 | 13.1 | 39.761 | 900A | 8-25 |
| BS75A Rail | 61.91 | 128.59 | 114.3 | 12.7 | 37.455 | 900A | 8-25 |
| BS70A Rail | 60.32 | 123.82 | 111.12 | 12.3 | 34.807 | 900A | 8-25 |
| BS60A Rail | 57.15 | 114.3 | 109.54 | 11.11 | 30.618 | 900A | 6-18 |
| BS80R Rail | 63.5 | 133.85 | 127 | 13.49 | 39.374 | 900A | 8-25 |
| BS75R Rail | 61.91 | 128.59 | 122.24 | 13.1 | 37.041 | 900A | 8-25 |
| BS60R Rail | 57.15 | 114.3 | 109.54 | 11.11 | 29.822 | 700 | 6-18 |
| BS50 O Rail | 52.39 | 100.01 | 100.01 | 10.32 | 24.833 | 700 | 6-18 |
ASCE Rail
| Type | Dimension(mm) | Weight(kg/m) | Standard | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head | Height | Base | Waist | |||
| ASCE 12 | 25.4 | 50.8 | 50.8 | 5.95 | ASTM A1 | |
| ASCE 20 | 34.1 | 66.7 | 66.7 | 6.4 | 9.92 | |
| ASCE 25 | 38.1 | 69.8 | 69.8 | 7.5 | 12.4 | |
| ASCE 30 | 42.9 | 79.4 | 79.4 | 8.4 | 15.2 | |
| ASCE 40 | 47.6 | 88.9 | 88.9 | 9.9 | 19.9 | |
| ASCE 50 | 54 | 97.8 | 98.4 | 11.1 | 25 | |
| ASCE 60 | 60.3 | 108 | 108 | 12.3 | 29.8 | |
| ASCE 70 | 61.9 | 117.5 | 117.5 | 13.1 | 34.5 | |
| ASCE 75 | 62.7 | 122.2 | 122.2 | 13.5 | 37.2 | |
| ASCE 80 | 63.5 | 127 | 127 | 13.9 | 39.8 | |
| ASCE 85 | 65.1 | 131.8 | 131.8 | 14.3 | 42.3 | |
DIN 536 crane rails
| Size | Head (mm) | Height (mm) | Base (mm) | Web (mm) | Nominal weight (kg/m) | Material | Length (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A45 | 45 | 55 | 125 | 24 | 22.1 | 700/900A/1100 | 10-12 |
| A55 | 55 | 65 | 150 | 31 | 31.8 | 700/900A/1100 | 10-12 |
| A65 | 65 | 75 | 175 | 38 | 43.1 | 700/900A/1100 | 10-12 |
| A75 | 75 | 85 | 200 | 45 | 56.2 | 700/900A/1100 | 10-12 |
| A100 | 100 | 95 | 200 | 60 | 74.3 | 700/900A/1100 | 10-12 |
| A120 | 120 | 105 | 220 | 72 | 100 | 700/900A/1100 | 10-12 |
| A150 | 150 | 150 | 220 | 80 | 150.3 | 700/900A/1100 | 10-12 |
GNEE RAIL also supplies matching railway fastening systems, rail clips, fish plates, rail bolts, rail pads, rail anchors, baseplates, crane rail clips, and technical support services. Custom lengths, drilling, machining, cutting, and project-specific packaging solutions are available for international railway and industrial projects.
FAQ About 115 lb Rail Height
- What is the height of a 115 lb rail?
A standard 115 lb rail (115RE rail) has a height of 168.3 mm (6.625 inches).
- Is 115 lb rail the same as 115RE rail?
Yes. The terms 115 lb rail, 115 pound rail, 115RE rail, and TR57 rail generally refer to the same AREMA-standard rail section weighing approximately 115 pounds per yard.
- How much does 115RE rail weigh per meter?
115RE rail weighs approximately 56.9 kg per meter.
- What is the base width of a 115RE rail?
The standard base width is 139.7 mm (5.5 inches).
- What industries use 115 lb rail?
115 lb rail is commonly used in freight railways, mining railways, industrial rail systems, ports, steel mills, logistics terminals, and heavy-duty transportation infrastructure.
- What rail is heavier than 115RE?
Common heavier AREMA rail sections include 132RE, 136RE, and 141RE rails, which provide greater load-carrying capacity for heavy-haul railway operations.
