The rails are the top most component track structure. The wheels of Rolling Stocks run on rails and transmit
various forces through them to the other components of track structure/rack foundation down below.
Two most commonly used Rail section in Indian Railways presently are 52 kg and 60 kg rails.
Indian Railways in the year 1959 designed the rail section of 52 KG/Metre weight to meet the requirements of heavier and faster traffic at that point of time. This rail was recommended for use on all B.G.main line routes with future speeds upt 130 kmph and traffic density of 20 to 25 GMT. Its cross sectional area is of 6615 Sq.mm
This is a standard UIC rail section, used in many countries of the World. The rail section has been designed for speed upto 160 kmph and traffic density of about 60 GMT. It is having cross sectional area of 7686 Sq.mm.
