Abstract: This paper examines the engineering properties of red clay at the Wuhan-Guangzhou section of Wuhan-Guangzhou passenger dedicated railway line. The red clay in this area has high values in liquid and plastic limits,saturation, and porosity. It has good mechanical properties with low compactibility. The soil pre-consolidation pressure is far greater than its vertical overburden pressure. The soil is overconsolidated with high porosity. Besides, it was suggested that the red clay presents the peculiar engineering characteristics thatthe upper layers are rigid and the lower layers are weak. The overconsolidation ratio and pre-consolidation pressure reduce as the depth increases. The results provide important guidance and reference to the design and construction of passenger railway line. 