New Rail and Accessories

Our CWR provides 1600' sticks welded from 320' rail with no more than six welds per string. We are the only rail distributor with the capability to deliver 320' continuous rail.

L.B. Foster’s 320-foot rail offering represents a breakthrough in rail supply and installation efficiency, delivering longer, weld‑free rail sections without the cost and complexity of traditional continuous welded rail (CWR) systems. Manufactured in 320-foot lengths by Steel Dynamics and transported via an innovative five‑car consist developed with BNSF Logistics, this solution enables shipment through standard manifest freight service—eliminating the need for dedicated trains, crews, and extensive staging areas. By reducing the number of field welds, particularly in high‑stress and corrosive environments such as grade crossings and curves, the 320-foot rail improves long‑term track performance, durability, and lifecycle cost. This flexible delivery model supports a wide range of applications, including crossings, bridge rail replacement, and targeted track rehabilitation in congested or space‑constrained areas, offering railroads a smarter, more cost‑effective way to modernize their infrastructure. Read more: L.B. Foster Developed and Delivered the First 320’ Rail to LSRC.

For track replacement and expansion work, railroads and transit agencies remain committed to transitioning from the use of stick rail — or individual pieces of rail that require joints — to welded or ribbon rail. Welded rail results in a safer, smoother track that requires less maintenance.  

As railroads and transit agencies continue to outsource more functions, including offloading rail, L.B. Foster is continuing to meet that demand by offering a range of services, including project management, and unloading supervision on every CWR train. L.B. Foster also can furnish full unload crews and equipment when requested to help reduce unloading times to as short as one day. This is particularly important for customers that are continuing to move towards precision scheduled railroading.  

New Rail

L.B. Foster Company is the market leader in the distribution of new rail and accessories throughout North America, supplying rail for heavy haul, industrial, low density and passenger/transit applications. Sourced from several major US mills, L.B. Foster can supply rail sections from 90-lb. to 141-lb., generally in lengths of 39 ft., 40 ft., 78 ft. or 80 ft., depending on the rail section weight. In addition to stick rail, if the job requires continuous welded rail (CWR), we can provide not only the welded rail, delivered to the jobsite on our own trains, but unloading services as well. The list below highlights the various rail sections offered by L.B. Foster.  

Click on the files below for additional specifications:  

NOTE: Rail is rolled to the following specifications and is designated as either:  
    A.R.A.-A. = American Railway Association, Type A [High Rail for High Speeds]  
    A.R.E.M.A. = American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association  

In addition, L.B. Foster offers a number of rail accessories:  

• Joint Bars  

• Rail Joints  

• Angle Bars  

• Compromise Joints  

• Tie Plates  

• Track Spikes  

• Track Bolts