Railway materials – traditional steel used for manufacturing rails Historically in civil/railway engineering, which type of steel has been used for the manufacture of rails?

Introduction / Context:
Rails require high strength, wear resistance, and toughness. Historically, process names for steel production appear in exam questions, reflecting older industrial routes. This item asks which steel has been traditionally associated with rail manufacture in classic references, even though modern rails use specialized compositions and processes.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Historical perspective is emphasized over current proprietary grades.
• Rails demand higher carbon and specific alloying/heat treatment.
• Process options include Bessemer, mild, cast, and stainless steels.

Concept / Approach:

Classic literature often cites Bessemer (and later open-hearth/basic-oxygen) processes for producing rail steels with controlled carbon content and cleanliness. “Mild steel” is typically too low in carbon for heavy rail wear. “Cast steel” suggests casting rather than wrought rail production. “Stainless steel” is unsuitable economically and metallurgically for standard rails.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Older engineering texts and exam keys reference Bessemer/open-hearth steels for rails, preceding current basic oxygen furnace and thermomechanical treatment practices.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Mild steel: Too soft/low carbon for heavy rail duty.

Cast steel: Rail sections are rolled, not typically cast to final form.

Stainless steel: Costly and unnecessary corrosion resistance; not used for general rails.

Common Pitfalls:

Assuming modern alloy names apply to historical exam questions; equating manufacturing process names with final properties without context.

Final Answer:

Bessemer steel