What Is a Rail Anchor?
A rail anchor (also called a rail anti-creeper or railroad tie anchor) is placed under the rail base and clamps the rail with its curved design, its side pressing against the sleeper. It resists longitudinal rail creep - the gradual movement of the rail under train braking and acceleration - by providing friction, elasticity and a locking action, and protects the rail base and sleeper from wear and cutting, prolonging sleeper life.
Materials Compared
| Material | Typical Composition (%) | Character | Production |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60Si2MnA (spring steel) | C 0.56-0.64, Mn 0.60-0.90, Si 1.60-2.00, Cr ≤ 0.35 | Elastic clamping, fatigue resistance - the standard anchor material | Rolled or forged |
| 45# (carbon steel) | C 0.42-0.50, Mn 0.50-0.80, Si 0.17-0.37 | Economical; good strength after quenching/tempering | Forged or rolled |
| QT500-7 (ductile iron) | C 3.60-3.80, Si 2.50-2.90, Mn ≤ 0.6, P ≤ 0.08, S ≤ 0.025 | Castability for complex bends; good ductility (7% elong.) | Cast - used for complex shapes |
Anchor Types and Shapes
- Drive-on rail anchors: driven onto the rail base - fast installation, used where access is simple.
- Spring-type rail anchors: snap over the base with elastic action - consistent clamping without impact driving.
- Shape families: Fair-type, Unit-V and Channeled profiles, selected by rail base width and sleeper design.
- Complex shapes (Unit-V, Channeled) are usually cast (ductile iron) because of their intricate bending; simpler types are rolled or forged (spring/carbon steel).
Surface Finishes
- Plain (oiled) - protects during storage and transport.
- Color painting or zinc painting - general outdoor service.
- Hot-dip galvanizing (HDG) - coastal, humid and corrosive environments.
Rail Compatibility and Standards
- Common compatible sections: 50 kg, 85/90/91 lb, 115RE/136RE, UIC54 and UIC60 rails - plus custom sections per customer drawings.
- Standards: AS 1085.10 (Australia), DIN (Germany) and ISO where applicable; confirm dimensional and mechanical requirements with the manufacturer.
- Material quality: request mill certificates for spring steel (60Si2MnA) confirming chemistry and hardness; for ductile iron, confirm nodularity and elongation.
Buying Notes
- Specify the rail section and base width - anchor size must match the rail base.
- Specify material, shape family and surface finish against the track environment.
- For high-speed and heavy-haul lines, prefer spring-steel anchors with verified fatigue performance.
- Check installation tools: drive-on anchors need a driver; spring anchors may need a special tool.
GNEE RAIL produce different types of rail anchors to compromise different rail sections including 85LB, 90LB, 115RE, 132RE,UIC54, UIC60, 50kg, etc.
We manufacture kinds of Railway Screw Spike, Clip and Clamp, High Tensile Bolt with Nut and Washer, Rail Base(Tie) Plate, Rail Fish Plate, Rail Shoulder, Rail Screw and Spike, Fish Bolt with Nut and Washer, Rail Dowel, Rubber and EVA Pad, Crane Rail and Light Rail, and Other rail fasteners parts.Contact us for more product information.
