Common rail lengths are up to 120 m. When preparing the construction site, the rails can also be pre-welded to 360 m and more (in Austria, for example). In Germany, rail sections are connected at the rail joints with special fishplates.

Rail supply options:

• Flat wagons with a construction site vehicle: this simple and inexpensive method can introduce stress into the rail, deform it, or damage it (through twisting, impact, grinding on the ballast). For this reason, it is prohibited in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.
• Rail pulling and pushing system or rail loading train: the main advantages of these applications are that rails are supplied continuously (just-in-time), the loading process is safe thanks to precise rail guidance, there is no loss of quality from the production site to the installation location, and there is no damage to rails or sleepers. However, they are associated with higher costs.
• Supply new rails with the laying machine when laying new track: new welded strings are transported on adapted new sleeper wagons and unloaded past the track maintenance machine using the gantry crane. This requires a little more effort in loading logistics, but simplifies construction site logistics and speeds up construction progress.