Rail profile

The rail profile is the cross sectional shape of a railway rail, perpendicular to the length of the rail.

Early rails were made of wood, cast iron or wrought iron. All modern rails are hot rolled steel of a specific cross sectional profile. Typically the cross section (profile) approximates an I-beam but is asymmetric about a horizontal axis (however see grooved rail below). The head is profiled to resist wear and to give a good ride, the foot is profiled to suit the fixing system.