BS standard fish plate - Railroad Fasteners

Feb 02, 2026 Leave a message

A rail fish plate is a joint fastening component that stabilizes rail ends by maintaining precise geometric alignment in both vertical and horizontal planes, reducing vibration and wheel impact at joints. GNEE RAIL supplies fish plates for GB, UIC, DIN536, QU, JIS, AS1085, BS11, and AREMA/ASCE rail standards, with optional corrosion-resistant surface treatments.

 

BS standard fish plate - Railroad Fasteners

 

BS standard fish plates are essential railroad fasteners manufactured according to British Standards (e.g., BS47-1) to join rail ends, ensuring track continuity, stability, and safety. Commonly used in the UK, Africa, and the Middle East, they are produced in sizes like BS60, BS75, BS80A, and BS90A for varying rail weights. These plates are forged from high-strength steel (e.g., Chinese steel grade 40#) and are available in 4 or 6-hole configurations.

 

rail joint

 

BS Standard Fishplates for Railway Rails (BS47-1:1997)

Specifications

Length of 4-bolt fishplate (mm) Length of 6-bolt fishplate (mm) Diameter of bolt holes in fish plates (mm) Calculated weight per pair (4 hole)

(kg)

Calculated weight per pair (6 hole)

(kg)

BS50 "O"

406.4 609.6 20.64 6.68

10.14

BS60A

406.4 609.6 20.64 9.84

14.76

BS60R

406.4 609.6 20.64 8.75

13.14

BS70A

406.4 609.6 23.81 11.10

16.65

BS75A

406.4 609.6 23.81 11.82

17.73

BS75R

406.4 609.6 23.81 10.95

16.42

BS80A

406.4 609.6 23.81 13.15

19.72

BS80R

406.4 609.6 23.81 11.92

17.89

BS90A

457.2 685.8 26.99 17.49

26.23

BS95A

457.2 685.8 26.99 18.71

28.05

BS100A

457.2 685.8 26.99 19.96

29.94

BS110A

508 914.4 26.99 30.11

54.64

BS113A

507 914 27 30.11

54.64

 

Popular Types of BS Rail Joint Bar

 

  • Standard: BS47-1
  • Material: Chinese steel grade 40#
  • Size: BS75R, BS80A, BS90A, BS100A, BS113A
  • Tensile strength Rm : 550-650 Mpa
  • Elongation A : ≥18%
  • Chemical Composition:

 

C Mn Si S P
0.27-0.84 ≤0.94 0.38 ≤0.058 ≤0.058

 

rail joint

 

Standard Type Length/Diameter Weight /Material
BS 47-1 BS75R 4 hole 6.56Kg
BS60A 4 hole 5.61Kg
BS80A 4 hole 6.5Kg
BS90A 685.8/Φ26 13.23Kg
BS90A 792.9/Φ26.2 15.34Kg
BS100A 4 hole  

 

Why use #40 to manufacture rail joint bars?

 

40# (or 40Mn/40# carbon steel) material is used for rail joint bars (fishplates) because it offers an optimal balance of high tensile strength, wear resistance, and sufficient ductility to withstand heavy, dynamic loads from train traffic. This medium-carbon steel ensures structural integrity and durability at the joint.

 

Key Reasons for Using 40# Material:

 

  • High Tensile Strength & Durability: 40# steel provides the necessary strength to hold rail ends together, minimizing deflection and preventing rail end batter.

 

  • Wear Resistance: It resists abrasion from the movement of the rail and fasteners, prolonging the lifespan of the joint.

 

rail fish plate

 

  • Optimal Carbon/Manganese Ratio: Typically containing 0.40%–0.80% carbon and manganese, this composition allows for heat treatment to increase hardness without making the steel too brittle.

 

  • Cost-Effectiveness: It is an economical choice that meets the high-performance standards required for railway fasteners, providing durability at a lower cost compared to specialized alloys.

 

Founded in 2008, GNEE RAIL is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of railway components, specializing in high-quality rail fish plates (joint bars/splice bars) with strong production capacity and global service capabilities.

 

Our rail fish plate portfolio is comprehensive and compliant with international standards including UIC, AREMA, BS, DIN, and GB, covering light rail (8kg-30kg), heavy rail (38kg-75kg), and crane rail (QU70-QU120) systems. We offer diverse types such as insulated joint bars, bulged fish plates, and compromise rail joints,with precise specifications (4-hole/6-hole, 24-inch/36-inch), ensuring excellent mechanical performance.We uphold strict quality control supported by ISO 9001:2015 certification, an in-house inspection center, and third-party audits by SGS and BV. Our one-stop service includes customization, production, packaging, and after-sales support, tailored to clients' project needs.

 

Click here to obtain the detailed product catalog of GNEE RAIL.