How heavy is a rail spike?

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A rail spike can weigh anywhere from about 0.078 kg to over 0.7 kg (0.17 lbs to 1.5 lbs), depending on its size, type, and material. A common "dog spike" is about 5.5 inches long and weighs around half a pound (approx. 0.227 kg), while heavier screw-type spikes can be much more substantial.

Examples of rail spike weights

• Small spike: A 3/8" x 3-1/2" spike weighs approximately 0.078 kg.

• Standard "dog spike": A 5/8" x 5-1/2" spike weighs around 0.34 kg.

• Heavy screw spike: A 26 mm x 150 mm screw spike can weigh up to 0.702 kg.

• Standard "dog spike": A 9/16" x 5-1/2" spike weighs about 0.5 lbs.

Factors affecting weight

• Size: Larger spikes, whether in length or thickness, will naturally be heavier. For example, a 6" spike will be heavier than a 5.5" spike.

• Type: Screw spikes are often heavier than traditional dog spikes due to their larger dimensions.

• Material: Spikes made from different steel grades or stainless steel will have different weights.

Dog spikes and screw spikes are two most common railroad spikes that GNEE RAIL manufactures,it is small part used to ensure the safety of railway fastening systems. Both spike functions by the equipped offset head, so as to work as a nail that secure and fasten rails on the rail sleeper.

Dog spike was first to be invented in 1832, its named for the two lugs on either side which looks like a dog head, it has similar dimensions to screw spike, with a flange with a radius dog spike can fix rail track straight to rail sleeper. While screw spike firstly showed up in 1860, and it became more popular than dog spike for its greater fixing power, even if the cost to manafacture screw spikes is higher than dog spike, the maintain cost of screw spike is lower. Generally speaking, Screw spike are mostly used in heavy rail applications, dog spike are used in light rail tracks.

GNEE RAIL manufactures railway fasteners and standard components. As a leading railway fasteners manufacturers in China,with production license of Chinese railway Ministry, advanced technology, high precision inspection instruments and service, our products have been widely exported the USA, Germany, Spain, Japan, Australia, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, the UK, India, and South Africa etc.

We can provide products according to customers' drawings and samples.Our main products are as follows:

1. Screw spike/Coach screw/Drive screw/Sleeper Screw, Dog spike/Railroad spike/Lock spike/Cut spike,etc.

2. Rail clip/ Tension clamp/ E clip/ PR clip/SKL clip/ DE clip/ RN Clip/ Nabla clip, etc

3. Swivel Bolts/ Track Bolt/ Special bolts/ U bolts/ J bolts/ Anchor bolts/Hook bolts / Foundation bolts/ Stud bolts/ Rod bolts/ Curved bolts/ Tunnel bolts

4. Tie plate/ Base plate / Rail plate/ Rail fixing base/ Rail Pads/ Sole plate/ Sole pad

5. Fish plate / Joint bar / Rail joint/ Splice Bar

6. Track bolt/ T bolt / Rail bolt/ Clamp bolt/ Inserted bolt/ Clip bolt/ Fish bolt/ Square bolt/ Rod bolt /Rail joint bolt

7. Clamp plate/ Rail spring clamp/ Anchor plate/ Steel clip

8. Rail Shoulder/ Rail sleeper Inserts/ Rail Anchors for rail sleepers

9. Plastic dowel / Guide plate/ Nylon insert / Rail insulator

10. Rail pad (Rubber, EVA, TPU, etc.)/ Rail sole plate / Rail adjustment pad

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