Steel rails are known to be an integral part of railway tracks. Steel rail and other railway fasteners support the railway track system, including railway sleepers, rail joints, railroad spike, rail clips, track bolt and nut, etc. The steel rails are always in an inconspicuous place for the train to crush and guide the train. The modern steel rail is made of steel. Rails were not like this at the beginning of their birth, or even the current material. At first it was a piece of square wood, and later the wood was covered with iron wrap. As the speed and weight of the train increase, the material of rails becomes steel step by step. In modern times, with the increase of train speed and axle weight, the improvement of the requirements for stability, the improvement of production and manufacturing processes, the classification of rails is becoming more and more detailed.
What is the difference between railway and light rail?
Railway generally refers to heavy rail for freight/inter-city, while light steel rail (or light rail) uses lighter, smaller rails for urban transport (trams, metros) with lower capacity and speeds, often integrated into city streets, differing mainly in rail weight (heavy > 30kg/m vs. light < 30kg/m), infrastructure (heavy on ballast/tunnels, light often embedded), vehicle size, and purpose (heavy for bulk/distance, light for urban mobility).
Heavy Rail (Traditional Railway)
- Rail Weight/Size: Heavier, larger cross-sections (e.g., 38kg, 43kg, 50kg, 60kg/m).
- Application: Mainline freight, high-speed passenger, subways, long distances.
- Infrastructure: Sturdier sleepers, ballast, elevated tracks, tunnels.
| 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 | |
Light Steel Rail (Light Rail/Trams)
- Rail Weight/Size: Lighter, smaller (e.g., 8kg, 24kg, up to 30kg/m).
- Application: Urban transport (trams, city metro), industrial/mining railways, short distances.
- Infrastructure: Often shares roads, embedded in pavement, simpler construction, easier maintenance.
| 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 | |
GNEE RAIL is a leading railroad track and crane rail supplier in China. Customers from domestic and abroad can choose from a complete range of rails. Our products such as QU70 crane rail, A100 crane rail, 90lbs rail, ASCE rail, 115RE rail, 136RE rail, UIC rail, BS rail, etc. are well accepted worldwide. Other track materials including railway fasteners and crane rail accessories are provided according to the clients' requests.
| Classification | Height(mm) | Head (mm) | Bottom (mm) | Thick(mm) | Weight (kg/m) | |
| Crance 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 | |
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.
