How many rail spikes typically need to be purchased?
The number of rail spikes needed varies greatly depending on the project, but a common rule of thumb for standard track is to purchase at least 12,800 spikes per mile of track. For curves, you will need more spikes-typically six to eight per tie instead of the four used on straight sections-to provide extra stability.
- Straight track: Use approximately four spikes per tie (two per rail, alternating sides).
- Curved track: Use six to eight spikes per tie to counteract lateral forces, with the majority on the outside rail.
- Overall estimate: A good baseline for an entire mile of straight track is around 12,800 spikes, but you must add more for curves.
what is a rail spike?
A railroad spike, which is equipped with an offset head, is a large rail nail used to secure and fasten the rails in the railway system. With the development of industrialization, the rail spike was invented by Robert Livingston Stevens and the first use was in 1832. The main function of railroad spike is to ensure the correct position of the gauge. And the common sizes are usually between 9-10/16 inch and 5.5-6 inch long. With a flat edged point and chisel-shaped, the spike can give greater resistance to loosening. During the transportation of railway, it is not necessary to require the spike to provide a strong vertical force, which provide a nice environment than can allow the rail track freedom of movement.
In the past several years ago, the installation of railway is mainly by manual work. To spikes, it were driven into wood sleepers through a heavy hammer by hand. Later, in the times of industrialization, the machines appeared and replaced this manual work. Through adding steel bands on the wood or pre-boring spike holes, the split of the wood can be limited.
| the types of Ss Series Sleeper Screw | Product Name | Specification | Material | Surface | Standard | |
| 1 | Fishtail Bolt | M8-M64 | Q235,45#,55#,etc | Zinc,Plain, Black Oil | UIC,AREMA,JIS,GB or according to your requests. | |
| 2 | Screw Spike | Square Head Screw Spike | M16-M22 *145-200 | |||
| Hexagon Head Screw Spike | ||||||
| Other Types | ||||||
| Type | Specification | Weight/kg | Surface | Standard | ||
| 3 | Sleeper Screw | Ss 1/130 | M22*130 | 0.451 | Zinc,Plain, Black Oil | UIC,AREMA,JIS,GB or according to your requests. |
| Ss 1/150 | M22*150 | 0.478 | ||||
| Ss 2/180 | M22*180 | 0.595 | ||||
| Ss 5/150 | M24*150 | 0.545 | ||||
| Ss 6/130 | M26*130 | 0.658 | ||||
| Ss 6/150 | M26*150 | 0.702 | ||||
| Ss 6/170 | M26*170 | 0.385 | ||||
| Ss 7/180 | M24*180 | 0.636 | ||||
| Ss 8/140 | M24*140 | 0.528 | ||||
| Ss 8/150 | M24*150 | 0.548 | ||||
| Ss 8/160 | M24*160 | 0.568 | ||||
| Ss 23/160 | M23*160 | 0.645 | ||||
| Ss 24/165 | M24*165 | 0.59 | ||||
| Ss 25/165 | M25*165 | 0.625 | ||||
GNEE RAIL offers different kinds of railway fasteners to meet client's requirements, such as Elastic Rail Clip and Clamp, Rail Screw Spike, Plastic Dowel, High Tensile Track Bolt with Nut, Rail Base(Tie) Plate, Rail Fish Plate, Railway Shoulder(Insert), Fish Bolt, Railroad Rubber and EVA Pad, etc. Samples and drawings provided by customer, we will manufacture qualified products accordingly.
