Inspection of rail welds has always been a challenge to the Railways. The conventional ultrasonic methods which are employed now for the detection of defects are not found to be good enough for defects that exist in different parts of the weld. Phased Array Ultrasonics which performs sectorial scanning could be used effectively for detection of defects in rail welds. The analysis of phased array images basically concentrates on defects that are volumetric in rail. The feasibility studies conducted in parts of rail other than welds were promising. Defect indications were seen very much separately from its surroundings. Accurate positioning of the defect is possible. Close lying defects can be seen separately which assures better resolution. Linear normal scans were very much suitable to detect cracks of complex geometries, as it gives a specific indication pattern each time when it is present. © 2013 American Institute of Physics.