What Are the Key Features of 136 lb Rail?

What Are the Key Features of 136 lb Rail?

136 lb rail (136RE or TR68) is an American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) standard heavy-duty steel rail, weighing 136 lbs/yd (67.5 kg/m). It is primarily designed for high-intensity, heavy-haul freight, and main-line tracks due to its high load-bearing capacity, superior resistance to wear, fatigue-resistant properties, and standard height of 185.74 mm.

Key features of 136 lb rail include:

Design & Standards: It is a heavy-duty, AREMA-standardized profile commonly used in North American railroads and in industrial applications.
High Load Capacity: Engineered for superior strength to support high-speed, heavy-axle freight trains and high-volume cargo.

Wear Resistance: Constructed from high-strength low alloy, intermediate, or standard carbon steel, offering excellent durability and reduced, improved resistance to wear and impact.

Dimensions: It has a height of 185.74 mm (7.3125 inches), making it slightly taller than 132 lb or 119 lb rails.

Application Versatility: Suitable for mainline railways, mining tracks, port crane applications, and heavy-industrial infrastructure.

Fabrication & Compatibility: Available in standard lengths of 39 or 80 feet, it works with standard 4-hole or 6-hole joint bars.

136 LB Rail Dimensions

The 136 lb/yd (136RE or TR68) rail is a heavy-duty ARA-AREMA profile, standing 185.74 mm (7.315 in) tall with a 152.4 mm (6 in) base width and a 74.6 mm (2.938 in) head width. Designed for high-axle loads, it features a 17.5 mm web thickness and is commonly used in North/South American mainline rail systems.

Key 136RE Rail Dimensions:

Weight: 136.3 lbs/yd (67.5 kg/m)
Height: 7.315 in (185.74 mm)
Base Width: 6.0 in (152.4 mm)
Head Width: 2.938 in (74.6 mm)
Web Thickness: 0.687 in (17.46 mm)
Standard Lengths: 39 ft, 80 ft (12-25 meters)

What is the difference between 136re rail and 132re rail?

136RE and 132RE rails are both American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) standards, but they differ primarily in height and weight. The 136RE rail is about 3/16-inch taller than the 132RE, requiring a 136RE vs 132RE transition rail or specialized compromise joints when joining, despite having similar fishing dimensions.

Key Differences:

Height: 136RE is taller (7-5/16 inches) compared to 132RE (7-1/8 inches), requiring different joint bars.

Weight: 136RE weighs 136 lbs/yard (approx. 67.41 kg/m) while 132RE weighs 132–133 lbs/yard.

Dimensions: While both have a 6-inch base, they have different head geometries and web thicknesses.

Use Cases: 136RE is a newer, heavier-duty standard used for high-capacity mainlines, whereas 132RE rail commonly found on older or secondary tracks.

Size	Rail height(mm)	Bottom Width(mm)	Head Width(mm)	Web Thickness(mm)	Weight(kg/m)
90lb 90ARA-A (TR45)	142.90	130.20	65.10	14.30	44.65
100lb  100RE	152.40	136.50	68.30	14.30	50.34
115lb    115RE (TR57)	168.30	139.70	69.10	15.90	56.90
119lb    119RE	173.10	139.70	67.50	15.90	58.86
132lb   132RE	180.90	152.40	76.20	16.60	65.58
133lb   133RE	179.39	152.40	76.20	17.46	66.10
136lb   136RE (TR68)	185.70	152.40	74.60	17.50	67.50
141lb    141RE	188.91	152.40	77.79	17.46	69.94

 

Choosing the right rail profile is essential for handling high loads effectively. When evaluating 136RE rail profile, 136RE rail cross section area, and full 136RE rail dimensions, practical experience and reliable data make a real difference.

With GNEE RAIL, you can get not only standard-compliant 136RE steel rail, but also support in confirming specifications, processing details, and application suitability. You can contact GNEE RAIL to discuss your project and get targeted technical solutions that help ensure stable and efficient railway performance.