Based on ordinary state-based peridynamic theory, a 2D peridynamic model has been established to investigate fatigue crack propagation in railheads. The proposed model is verified in terms of rail deformation under a quasi-static load and the ductile material-related fatigue failure model. Good agreements have been achieved between a finite element model and the experimental results. With the proposed model, the effects of the initial crack angle, initial crack length and wheel-rail friction coefficient on crack propagation in railheads are studied. This research provides a new method for studying crack propagation in railheads.@en