Complete Rail Classification Guide: Weight, Strength, and Applications

1. By Weight: From Light Rail to Heavy Rail

The most common way to classify rails is by weight, which directly reflects the cross-sectional size and load-bearing capacity:

· Heavy rail series: 43 kg/m and above (e.g., 43 rail, 50 rail, 60 rail, 75 rail)

· Light rail series: Below 43 kg/m (e.g., 24 rail, 18 rail, now rarely used)

2. Manufacturing Process: Hot Rolling and Heat Treatment

The manufacturing process of rails directly affects their performance and service life:

· Hot-rolled rail: The basic process of forming rails through high-temperature rolling — all rails are initially produced this way.

· Heat-treated rail: Secondary processing based on hot rolling:

    （1）Offline heat treatment: Traditional process, where heat treatment is carried out separately after hot rolling.

    （2）Online heat treatment: The modern mainstream process, where heat treatment is performed immediately after hot  rolling, offering higher efficiency and better energy savings.

Heat treatment can significantly improve the rail's strength, hardness, and wear resistance, extending its service life.

3. Strength Grades: Key Performance Indicators

Common strength grades include:

· Conventional lines: 780 MPa, 880 MPa

· Metro systems: 880–1180 MPa

· Special applications: Up to 1450 MPa

4. By Application: Meeting Various Rail Transit Needs

· National railway system:

    （1）High-speed railway:

      Main lines: High-precision 60 kg/m rails (extremely high straightness and dimensional tolerance requirements)

      Station yards: Some sidings use 50 kg/m rails

    （2）Conventional railway:

      Main lines: 60 kg/m rails

      Depots/yards: 50 kg/m rails

    （3）Special railways:

      Heavy-haul railways (e.g., Daqin Line, Shuohuang Railway): Special 75 kg/m rails to withstand higher axle loads (10,000-ton freight trains)

      Cold-region railways (e.g., Qinghai–Tibet Railway): Special 60 kg/m rails with excellent cold and corrosion resistance

· Urban rail transit:

    （1）Metro: 60 rail for main lines, 50 rail for depots

    （2）Tram: Grooved rails (anti-derailment design)

· Industrial railways: Non-standard rails (e.g., 38 rail, 43 rail)

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Rail

Understanding rail classification helps select the most suitable product for specific applications. Whether considering weight, manufacturing process, strength, or special use, modern rail technology offers a wide range of solutions. With the continuous advancement of rail transit technology, the performance and quality standards of rails are constantly improving, providing a safer and more reliable foundation for all types of railway transportation systems.

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