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In recent years, heavy haul traffic on AC railways of Russia has caused an increase in electric currents flowing through the elements of the traction power supply system and track circuits, which significantly exceed the design values. Increased electrical loads complicate the operation of traction substations elements, contact networks, relay protection and automation devices, signaling, centralization and blocking system. A significant problem with increasing loads is a rail potential magnification, which violates electrical safety and can even lead to failures and interruptions in railway traffic. The paper investigates rail potential formation along the entire length of the intersubstation zone between traction substations by means of simulation model developing throw MathLAB Simulink software. Based on the findings, further research opportunities for a quantitative assessment of changes and early identification of rail potentials critical values at AC railways. The novelty in this paper lies in the identified and constructed graphics for rail potentials dependence on electrical resistances of different elements and circuit parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]