A rail fish plate is a structural connector designed to stabilize rail ends by maintaining alignment and stiffness continuity where rails meet mechanically. It reduces impact loading and uneven wear at joints. GNEE RAIL provides fish plates for GB rail series, UIC50–UIC60, JIS rail standards, AS1085 profiles, BS11 rails, AREMA/ASCE specifications, and crane rails including DIN536 A-series and QU types, with optional machining and drilling customization.
Difference between 4-hole and 6-hole rail joint
4-hole rail joints (approx. 24") are used for lighter, standard-duty rail sections, while 6-hole joints (approx. 36") are stronger, providing50% more clamping force for heavy-duty, high-speed, or curved tracks to prevent, dips, andkinking. 6-hole bars provide superior vertical stiffness and stability.
Key Differences:
- Strength & Stability: 6-hole joints offer greater, more rigid support, reducing the risk of "dips" in the track and resisting lateral (side-to-side) movement on curves.
- Clamping Force: The two extra bolts on 6-hole bars increase the clamping force, keeping the rail ends more securely fastened.
- Length: 6-hole bars are typically longer (36 inches) compared to 4-hole bars (24 inches).
- Application: 4-hole joints are often used on lighter rails or in specific, less strenuous locations, while 6-hole joints are standard for heavy, high-speed, or high-traffic lines.
- Weight: 6-hole joints are heavier, with 50kg, 6-hole joints weighing 19.5 kg compared to 14.3 kg for 4-hole.
These joints are essential for securing rail ends, ensuring they remain in a straight line and level.
Dimensions of rail joint bar
Rail joint bars (fishplates) connect rail ends, with dimensions varying by rail type, typically 4-hole (24" or 600-630mm) or 6-hole (36" or 800-860mm) designs. Standard lengths range from ≈ 600mm to 900mm (24" to 36"), featuring bolt hole spacings of 100mm-150mm (4"-6") depending on the rail profile (e.g., 115RE, 132RE, UIC60).
Key Dimensions & Standards:
- Length: Commonly 24 inches (610mm) for 4-hole or 36 inches (914mm) for 6-hole bars, though shorter light rail versions exist.
- Height: Typically match the rail web height, with examples like 5-1/16 inches for 115-119RE.
- Hole Spacing: Varies by standard, with common 6-hole spacing on 115RE being 6" × 6" × 7-1/8" × 6" × 6".
- Weight: Ranges from approximately 15kg to over 26kg per bar, depending on size.
- Material: Usually made from steel grades 35#, 45#, or 55#.
| Material Type | Typical Grade / Designation | Chemical Composition (wt%) | Notes / Equivalent Standards |
| Carbon Structural Steel | Q235 (GB/T 700) | C: ≤0.22 | Common mild steel for general joint bars. Similar to ASTM A36, S235JR. |
| Si: ≤0.35 | |||
| Mn: 0.30-0.65 | |||
| P: ≤0.045 | |||
| S: ≤0.045 | |||
| Carbon Structural Steel | Q255 (GB/T 700) | C: 0.18-0.28 | Slightly higher strength than Q235. |
| Si: ≤0.35 | |||
| Mn: 0.40-0.70 | |||
| P: ≤0.045 | |||
| S: ≤0.045 | |||
| Medium Carbon Steel | 50Mn / 50BA (GOST 10779) | C: 0.47-0.55 | Classic high-strength fish plate steel. Widely used for mainline joints. |
| Si: 0.17-0.37 | |||
| Mn: 0.80-1.20 | |||
| P: ≤0.040 | |||
| S: ≤0.045 | |||
| Medium Carbon Steel | 55# (GB/T 699) | C: 0.52-0.60 | Standard medium carbon steel for demanding applications. Similar to AISI 1055. |
| Si: 0.17-0.37 | |||
| Mn: 0.50-0.80 | |||
| P: ≤0.035 | |||
| S: ≤0.035 | |||
| Alloy Steel | 42CrMo (GB/T 3077) | C: 0.38-0.45 | High-strength, high-toughness alloy for severe service. Similar to AISI 4140/4142. |
| Si: 0.17-0.37 | |||
| Mn: 0.50-0.80 | |||
| Cr: 0.90-1.20 | |||
| Mo: 0.15-0.25 | |||
| P: ≤0.035 | |||
| S: ≤0.035 | |||
| Spheroidal Graphite Cast Iron | QT450-10 (GB/T 1348) | C: 3.60-3.90 | Used in some traditional/joint kits for its castability and damping properties. Similar to EN-GJS-450-10. |
| Si: 2.00-3.00 | |||
| Mn: ≤0.50 | |||
| P: ≤0.07 | |||
| S: ≤0.015 | |||
| Mg: 0.03-0.06 (Nodulizer) |
Common Rail Joint Types:
- 115RE/132-136RE: Typically 4-hole (24") or 6-hole (36").
- UIC60/UIC54: Often 4-hole (600mm or 630mm) or 6-hole (800mm).
- Crane Rails (QU70/QU80): Specifically designed for crane rail profiles, with lengths around 760mm-820mm.
| Standard | Type | Length/Diameter | Weight /Material | |
| AREMA 2007 | 115RE | 4 hole-24" | 17.04Kg | 45# chemical |
| 115RE | 6 hole-36" | 25.56Kg | composition(%): | |
| 132-136RE | 4 hole-24" | 17.75Kg | C: 0.42-0.50 | |
| 132-136RE | 6 hole-36" | 26.63Kg | Mn: 0.50-0.80 | |
| UIC864 | UIC60 | 4 hole-630/Φ26 | 18.07Kg | Si: 0.17-0.37 |
| UIC60 | 4 hole-600/Φ28 | 17.47Kg | Cr: ≤0.25 | |
| UIC60 | 4 hole-630/Φ25 | 18.1Kg | P: ≤0.035 | |
| UIC54 | 4 hole | 14.34Kg | S: ≤0.035 | |
| UIC54 | 6 hole-800 | 19.94Kg | ||
| BS 47-1 | BS75R | 4 hole | 6.56Kg | |
| BS60A | 4 hole | 5.61Kg | ||
| BS80A | 4 hole | 6.5Kg | ||
| BS90A | 685.8/Φ26 | 13.23Kg | 50# chemical | |
| BS90A | 792.9/Φ26.2 | 15.34Kg | composition(%): | |
| BS100A | 4 hole | C: 0.62-0.70 | ||
| 90/91LB | 4 hole | 18.08Kg | Mn: 0.50-0.80 | |
| 90/91LB | 6 hole | 19.9Kg | Si: 0.17-0.37 | |
| AS | 50kg | 4 hole | 14.3Kg | Cr: ≤0.25 |
| 50kg | 6 hole | 19.5Kg | P: ≤0.035 | |
| S49 | 4 hole | 9.71Kg | S: ≤0.035 |
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.
