Why is steel better than iron for railroads?

As a stronger material, steel steadily replaced iron for use on railways and allowed considerably longer lengths of rails to be rolled. Today, there are high speed trains that use steel wheels on steel tracks that can travel at ridiculously high speeds.



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The rails of the day were made from relatively soft iron which often broke or would wear away after continued use. Northern foundries began to experiment with stronger and more durable iron products such as steel.

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Early tracks were constructed with wooden or cast iron rails, and wooden or stone sleepers; since the 1870s, rails have almost universally been made from steel.

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Although we often see steel rails rusting during daily travel, the rust is generally only on surface, and there is little internal rust. The internal rust process is very slow. In addition, the railway staff will maintain the rails every day, take measures such as oiling to prevent rust and regular inspections.

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