A rail fish plate, also called a joint bar or splice bar, is an essential jointing element in non-welded rail systems. It keeps rail ends mechanically linked so that operational loads can be transferred safely from one rail to the next. The AREMA 115RE fishplate is the matching joint bar for the 115RE tee rail, a heavy-duty section widely used on mainline railways, heavy freight corridors, port terminals, mining railways and industrial trackage.
What Is 115RE Rail
115RE rail is a tee section manufactured according to the AREMA standard with a nominal weight of 56.89 kg per meter, equivalent to 115 lb per yard. It is produced with heat-treatment technology for high strength, heavy-haul and high-traffic applications. The rail is supplied in lengths from 12 m to 25 m in grades 900A and 1100.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Head width | 69.06 mm |
| Rail height | 168.28 mm |
| Bottom width | 139.7 mm |
| Web thickness | 15.88 mm |
| Nominal weight | 56.9 kg/m |
| Material grades | 900A / 1100 |
| Length | 12 to 25 m |
Drawings of the AREMA 115RE Fishplate
The joint bar assembly drawing for 115RE and 119RE rails shows a bar profile that matches the rail web and the lower part of the rail head. The standard assembly uses one bar on each side of the rail web, and a second drawing shows the assembly with increased wheel flange clearance for curves and restricted clearances.
Physical Properties of the Joint Bar
Physical properties are calculated for a single bar and for a pair of bars on 24-inch and 36-inch joints.
| Property | One Bar | Two Bars |
|---|---|---|
| Moment of inertia, in.4 | 11.67 | 23.34 |
| Section modulus above n.a., in.3 | 5.27 | 10.54 |
| Section modulus below n.a., in.3 | 4.77 | 9.54 |
| Area, sq. in. | 5.35 | 10.70 |
| Net weight, 24-inch length, lb | 35.28 | 70.56 |
| Net weight, 36-inch length, lb | 53.45 | 106.90 |
For the assembly with increased wheel flange clearance, the moment of inertia is 10.24 in.4 for one bar and 20.48 in.4 for two bars. The section modulus above the neutral axis is 4.44 in.3 and below the neutral axis is 4.45 in.3 for a single bar, with a net weight of 34.8 lb for the 24-inch length and 52.2 lb for the 36-inch length.
Mechanical Properties
Joint bars for AREMA 115RE rail must meet a minimum tensile strength of 125,000 psi and a minimum yield point of 88,000 psi. These values are verified through standard tensile testing on finished bars to guarantee reliable clamping and load transfer at the joint.
Applications and Selection Notes
Mainline railways with heavy axle loads
Heavy freight corridors and port terminal tracks
Mining and industrial track systems
Emergency and temporary joint repairs where welding is not practical
Select the fishplate by matching the rail profile, joint length and bolt hole configuration to the track specification. Confirm the steel grade of the rail and the required bolt pattern before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 115RE mean? 115RE is an AREMA rail designation where 115 refers to the nominal weight of 115 lb per yard and RE means the standard tee rail profile.
How many fishplates are used at one rail joint? Two fishplates are used at a standard joint, one on each side of the rail web, secured by fish bolts.
What lengths are available for 115RE fishplates? Common lengths are 24 inches and 36 inches, with 4-hole and 6-hole bolt patterns respectively.
Can a 115RE fishplate be used on other rail sections? No, the bar profile must match the rail web and head geometry. A compromise bar is used to join two different rail sections.
What steel is used for 115RE joint bars? High-strength carbon steel such as grade 45 or grade 55 carbon steel is commonly used, with mechanical properties meeting the minimum tensile strength of 125,000 psi.
