stålrälar

Stålrälar are the steel rails that form the running surface of railway tracks. They are long, rigid members laid parallel to guide wheelsets and transfer loads from rolling stock to the ballast and subgrade. The term appears in Swedish railway literature and refers to the global concept of steel rails essential for track structure. Modern stålrälar are made from high-strength carbon or alloy steels designed for hardness and wear resistance, produced by hot rolling and subsequent heat treatment to tight tolerances.

The rail profile defines how wheels contact the surface. A typical rail consists of a head, web and foot, with the head bearing the wheel contact. Profiles are chosen to balance strength, wear resistance and ease of maintenance. Over time, rails wear and may suffer fatigue at joints or switches; maintenance includes grinding, reshaping and, when necessary, replacement. Some networks use continuous welded rails to reduce joint-related maintenance.

Rails are joined by fishplates or welded into continuous rails; they are secured to sleepers with fasteners and ballast. The track is kept in gauge and level by tamping and regular inspections. Rail life depends on traffic, climate and maintenance; high-demand lines wear faster and may require more frequent grinding and eventual replacement.

Steel rails replaced iron rails in the late 19th century, enabling heavier trains and longer life. Today, standardized profiles and specs govern dimensions and hardness; regional bodies such as EN standards in Europe and national equivalents define requirements for plain rails, switch rails and inspection criteria.