Abstract: A profiled wheel tread for use with self-steering wheelsets, the tread having a running surface, a wheel flange, a taping line passing through the running surface, and a running zone between the taping line and the wheel flange. The invention provides that the effective conicity across the running zone being the rate of increase of rolling diameter decreases from the taping line towards the wheel flange. In another form the effective conicity initially increases from the taping line, reaches a maximum at a lateral deflection of between 1.5 and 4 mm, and then decreases towards the wheel flange. The wheel flange is thinner than normal to increase the gauge clearance. Improvements are thereby obtained in wheel tread wear and rail wear by minimizing creep forces; in hunting stability, because the effective conicity at maximum lateral deflection is low; and in steering ability, because of a high average conicity and increased gauge clearance.