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Yes, taller is stronger, but both are compensated by the ties and subsequent spacing between ties. Or to take your lumber example, it wouldn't matter if a beam of lumber was 4" tall or 8" tall if both were flu***o the surface. Now, imagine both laid like rails on ties. With 10" spacing between ties, it would take alot of weight to bust either beam of lumber. You'd have to get to several feet of open space underneath before you'd get any discernable difference in relative vertical strength. <br /> <br />My understanding (and keep in mind I am not a lumber salesman) is that the heavier rail is needed primarily for the force of weight at the point of wheel/rail contact, and not the collective weight of the truck. The reason may have something to do with the fact that the spacing between axles is greater than the spacing between ties, so the weight of each axle is spaced at least three tie spacings between. All the rail and support components have to support at point of contact is that weight on the axle, thus less weight per axle allows for less vertically tall rail. <br /> <br />Maybe lighter rail would need closer tie spacing of the collective weight of the truck was heavier?
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