T-cross-section rail

The modern railroad rail, often called a T-rail, has a flat bottom and an inverted T-shaped cross-section. This design, credited to Charles Vignoles and Robert L. Stevens in the 1830s, has been refined through engineering and metallurgy to minimize stress and prolong life. Rails are hardened to reduce wear, especially on sharp curves or under heavy loads.12

Rails are typically made of steel and are cooled slowly after rolling to prevent cracks. Standard lengths vary by region, with European rails often being 30 meters and North American rails around 12 meters. Continuous welded rail, where standard rails are joined into much longer lengths, is now common worldwide, resulting in smoother tracks and less maintenance. These long rails are anchored to sleepers (crossties) to manage temperature expansion.12