Rail lengths

Rail lengths are made as long as possible, as joints between rails are a source of weakness. Over the decades, lengths increased as manufacturing processes improved.

The following are lengths from the steel mill, without any thermite welding. However shorter rails may be welded with flashbutt welding.

Examples

• (the following rails are not welded from shorter lengths)
• (1830) 15 feet (4.57 m) Liverpool and Manchester Railway
  • fish-belly rails at 35 lb/yd (17.4 kg/m), laid mostly on stone blocks.

• (1880) 39 feet (11.89 m) United States to suit 40 foot long gondola waggons

• (1950) 60 feet (18.29 m) British Rail

• (1953) 45 feet (13.72 m) Australia

• {1900) 71 feet (21.64 m)) - steel works weighing machine for rails

• (1940s) 78 feet (23.77 m) US

Welding of rails into longer lengths was first introduced around 1893.

• 1895 Hans Goldschmidt
• 1935 Charles Cadwell, non-ferrous Thermit welding

• (1950) 240 feet (73.15 m) welded

• (2011) 394 feet (120 m) Voestalpine

• (2011) 397 feet (121 m) Jindal

Multiples

Newer longer rails tend to be made as simple multiples of older shorter rails, so that old rails can be replaced without cutting. Some cutting would be needed as slightly longer rails are needed on the outside of sharp curves compared to the rails on the inside.

Boltholes

Rails can be supplied pre-drilled with boltholes for fishplates or without where they will be welded into place.

There are usually 2 boltholes or 3 boltholes.

See also

• Permanent way (history)
• Rail profile
• Track (rail transport)
• Tramway track