AREMA Rail Standard

The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) establishes the definitive standards for North American railway infrastructure. Within these standards, Chapter 4 focuses on rails, defining the precise specifications for their design, material composition, and manufacturing. A key component of these specifications is the rail profile, which dictates the cross-sectional shape and dimensions. This guide provides a technical breakdown of common AREMA rail profiles, including the 115 RE, 119 RE, 132 RE, 133 RE, 136 RE, and 141 RE sections.

AREMA 115 RE Rail Profile

The AREMA 115 RE section is a versatile, medium-weight rail that was once a common standard for mainline track. While largely superseded by heavier sections for Class 1 railroad mainlines, it remains widely used in various applications across the rail industry. Its balance of strength and cost-effectiveness makes it a popular choice for transit systems, industrial tracks, and regional or short-line railroads.

Applications:

• Regional and short-line freight railways
• Light rail transit (LRT) and metro systems
• Yard and siding tracks
• Industrial and port facilities

Technical Specifications: AREMA 115 RE

The 115 RE profile provides a substantial structure capable of handling moderate axle loads and traffic densities. Its design offers good stability and wear life for its weight class.

AREMA 119 RE Rail Profile

The AREMA 119 RE rail standard was developed as an incremental improvement over the 115 RE section. It offers a slightly heavier and more robust design, providing enhanced durability and a longer service life under similar conditions. The increased head metal and overall stiffness allow it to better withstand the forces exerted by modern freight and passenger traffic.

Applications:

• Mainline tracks on short-line and regional railroads
• Heavy haul industrial tracks
• Sections of track with moderate curvature and tonnage
• Upgraded yard and lead tracks

Technical Specifications: AREMA 119 RE

AREMA 132 RE Rail Profile

The 132 RE profile represents a significant step up in capacity, designed for heavy-duty mainline service. This section was widely used by major railroads for decades and remains prevalent on many mainlines today. Its design features a thick, durable head and a robust web and base, making it highly resistant to wear and structural fatigue.

Applications:

• Heavy haul freight mainlines with high tonnage
• High-density passenger corridors
• Tracks with significant curvature where lateral wear is a concern
• Transition sections between different rail weights

Technical Specifications: AREMA 132 RE

The 132 RE’s design provides excellent vertical and lateral stiffness, which helps maintain track geometry under heavy loads and reduces deflection, thereby lowering stress on other track components.

AREMA 133 RE Rail Profile

The AREMA 133 RE is a variation on the heavy rail concept, often considered an alternative to the 132 RE. While very similar in weight and overall dimensions, subtle changes in the profile geometry were intended to optimize performance. Some railroads adopted the 133 RE as their standard for heavy haul mainlines, valuing its specific wear characteristics and strength.

Applications:

• Primary freight mainlines
• Tracks supporting 286,000 lb (or heavier) freight cars
• Areas requiring high resistance to both vertical and lateral forces

Technical Specifications: AREMA 133 RE

Compared to the 132 RE, the 133 RE section typically features a slightly deeper head, providing more material for wear and potentially extending its useful service life before reaching condemnation limits.

AREMA 136 RE Rail Profile

The AREMA 136 RE section is one of the most common heavy rail standard profiles used on North American Class 1 railroad mainlines today. It was developed to provide superior performance under the increasing axle loads of modern freight operations. The design builds upon the principles of earlier heavy sections, incorporating a wider head, a thicker web, and a robust overall structure.

Applications:

• High-tonnage, heavy haul freight mainlines
• Tracks with high-speed passenger services
• Demanding environments with sharp curves and steep grades
• The current standard for new construction and rail replacement on most Class 1 railroads

Technical Specifications: AREMA 136 RE

The wider head of the 136 RE profile provides a larger contact patch with the wheel, which helps to reduce contact stress and slow the rate of wear on both the rail and the wheel.

AREMA 141 RE Rail Profile

As axle loads continued to increase towards 315,000 lbs and beyond, the need for an even more robust rail section became apparent. The AREMA 141 RE profile was developed to meet this demand. It is the heaviest standard RE section in widespread use and serves as the backbone for the most demanding freight corridors in North America.

Applications:

• The most demanding heavy haul corridors carrying extreme tonnage
• Tracks with a high percentage of heavy axle load traffic
• Critical mainlines where maximum track life and minimal maintenance are paramount

Technical Specifications: AREMA 141 RE

The 141 RE’s primary advantage is its deep head, which contains a significant amount of sacrificial material. This allows the rail to endure substantial wear before needing replacement, providing a longer service life and a better return on investment in high-tonnage environments. Its exceptional stiffness also contributes to superior track stability and a reduction in overall track component degradation.