Why Steel Is The Preferred Choice For Railway Rails

Aug 27, 2025 Leave a message

Steel is the most widely used material in railway track construction because of its strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness. At GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAYL, we supply high-quality steel rails(heavy rail,light rail,crane rail) designed to meet the demands of heavy loads, high speeds, and diverse environments.

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 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
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

Key Reasons Steel Is Used for Rails:

High Strength & Durability – Steel withstands the enormous pressure of trains and resists wear, ensuring a long service life with minimal maintenance.

Versatility – Steel rails can be manufactured in different sizes and profiles, including straight rails, curved rails, switches, and crossings, to suit various track systems.

Efficiency – Smooth steel rails reduce wheel friction, lowering energy consumption and operating costs.

Safety – Strong and resilient, steel rails provide stability even under high speeds and heavy axle loads, reducing derailment risks.

Sustainability – Steel is recyclable, making it an environmentally friendly option that supports long-term railway development.

Types of Steel Rails Commonly Used:

Carbon Steel Rails – Cost-effective and widely used for standard railway tracks.

Alloy Steel Rails – Enhanced with manganese, chromium, or nickel for higher strength and wear resistance, ideal for heavy-duty and high-speed applications.

Stainless & Weathering Steel Rails – Corrosion-resistant options, suitable for coastal or harsh environments.

crane rail

Q235B	Mechanical property						Chemical composition(%)
	Yield strength		Tensile strength		Elongation	Hardness	C	Si	Mn	S	P
	MPa	kg/mm²	MPa	kg/mm²	min	HB		≤		≤	≤
	≥	≥
	235	24	375-460	38-47	26%		0.12-0.22	0.35	0.30-0.70	0.045	0.045

55Q	Mechanical property						Chemical composition(%)
	Yield strength		Tensile strength		Elongation	Hardness	C	Si	Mn	S	P
	MPa	kg/mm²	MPa	kg/mm²	min	HBW				≤	≤
	≥	≥	≥	≥	min	≥				≤	≤
			685	69		197	0.50-0.60	0.15-0.35	0.60-0.90	0.04	0.04

At GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAYL, we not only provide steel rails of different grades but also supply complete railway fastening solutions, such as rail clips, fishplates, bolts, and crane rail clips, ensuring reliable performance for railway operators worldwide.