Approximately similar level of mechanical properties is the condition of minimal wear of railroad wheels and rails in their operation. Analysis of the relationship between the processes of deformation strengthening and metal structural state allows to explain differences in behaviour of carbon steels during loading. Therefore, usage of the stage of rail strengthening heat treatment that is adequate to cold plastic deformation with consequent recrystallization annealing will help to achieve high parameters of cold strength and resistance to fatigue crack propagation due to forming of extra-fine ferrite grain structure.