Light Rails – European profiles

Light Rails

EUROPEAN PROFILES

In the early days of railroading, rolling stock and the loads they carried were much lighter than they were to become. One of the first rails with the familiar “I” shape originated in the UK in 1829. Coincidentally, Stephenson’s Rocket locomotive was created in the same year. These rails weigh just 36 lbs/yard (17.9 kg/m) whereas a modern Transport rail might be 136 lbs/yard (67.4 kg/m).

Over time, lightweight rails have been superseded by larger & heavier rails for transportation purposes. Mining was an early adopter, and lightweight rails found other uses: light crane systems, assembly lines, automated warehouse retrieval systems, hanger doors, amusement parks and even car washes, to name only a few. As this shift took place, Light Rail formed a class distinct from Transportation Rail. Different countries have developed their own standards and the rails themselves evolved with different shapes, sizes and specifications. European and American standards dominate the Light Rail market.

Basic Dimensions

ProfilesWeightHead widthHeight Base width Web
kg/mlb/ydmminmminmminmmin
S7 6.7513.6125.000.9865.002.5650.001.975.000.20
S10 10.0020.1632.001.2670.002.7658.002.286.000.24
S14 14.0028.2238.001.5080.003.1570.002.769.000.35
S18 18.3036.8943.001.6993.003.6682.003.2310.000.39
S20 19.8440.0044.001.73100.003.9482.003.2310.000.39
S24 24.4349.2553.002.09115.004.5390.003.5410.000.39
S30 30.0360.5460.302.37108.004.25108.004.2512.300.48
S3131.5763.6456.002.20125.004.92106.004.1712.000.47
S33 (33E1) 33.4767.4758.002.28134.005.28105.004.1311.000.43
S41A 41.2483.1467.002.64138.005.43125.004.9212.000.47
AFNOR2626.2752.9650.001.97110.004.33100.003.9410.000.39
AFNOR30 30.1560.7858.422.30125.504.94106.004.1711.000.43
AFNOR36 36.5973.7658.272.29128.005.04115.004.5313.000.51
BS35 M 17.4035.0842.861.6980.963.1976.203.009.130.36
BS35 R 17.4035.0844.451.7585.733.3882.553.258.330.33
BS80 A (39E1) 39.7780.1763.502.50133.355.25117.474.6213.100.52

Mechanical properties

Profiles - Grades available(shown by Tensile Strength)≥ 540 MPa≥ 680 MPa≥ 880 MPa≥ 1080 MPa
S7, S10
S14, S18, S20, S24
S30, S31, S33, S39
BS35M, BS35R
AFNOR26, AFNOR30, AFNOR36
S41A
BS80A

Description

European Light Rails are offered in many sizes and shapes. Over the years, rail production has jumped between countries, but the products remain unchanged. The “S” rails were a German creation. Similarly “BS” rails were created in the UK, “UNI” rails were first produced in Italy, and “AFNOR” rails were originally French products. Today, you may find these rails produced in countries such as Luxembourg, Poland and Spain.

European Light Rails are finished in standard lengths of 6, 9, 10, 12 and 18 metres (≈ 20, 30, 33, 39, and 59 ft), but other lengths can be supplied by special request. Drilled ends are the norm, with non-drilled (blank) ends supplied by special request.