Track gauge plates are an important railway accessory used to maintain the distance between the two rails and to transfer lateral forces from the rail to the sleeper. Correct installation is essential, because a misaligned gauge plate can cause gauge widening, rail creep and accelerated wear of the fastening system.
Application Conditions
Track gauge plates are suitable for standard gauge railways on straight sections and integral track beds with 50 kg per meter and 60 kg per meter steel rails, pre-stressed concrete sleepers and pre-stressed wide-ribbed sleepers. They are also applied on straight sections and curves with a radius greater than 300 meters.
Installation Steps
Clean the sleeper seat and check the rail base for flatness and foreign material
Place the gauge plate in position under the rail base and align the holes with the sleeper inserts
Fit the retaining rings and start the nuts by hand
Tighten the nuts progressively in sequence to the specified torque
When installing the retaining rings, tighten the nuts within the range of 80 to 120 N-m. For straight sections and curves with a radius greater than 650 meters, tighten the nuts within the range of 120 to 150 N-m. For curves with a radius less than 650 meters, apply the torque value specified in the design drawings of the project.
Gauge and Elevation Adjustment
Enter the elevation benchmark of the guide rail top through the pad and increase the height by 10 mm where the design requires it. Use different combinations of retaining plates and retaining plate seats for adjustment measurements. For 50 kg per meter steel rail, the gauge adjustment range is from minus 8 mm to plus 16 mm.
Inspection and Maintenance
Check nut torque at regular intervals and retighten if loosening is found
Verify gauge width with a track gauge at every joint and curve entry
Replace damaged retaining plates and pads promptly
Keep the plate area free of ballast fouling and debris
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the function of a track gauge plate? It maintains the distance between the two rails and transfers lateral forces from the rail to the sleeper.
Where are track gauge plates used? They are used on standard gauge lines with 50 kg and 60 kg per meter rail, pre-stressed concrete sleepers and integral track beds.
What is the recommended nut torque? 80 to 120 N-m in general, and 120 to 150 N-m for straight sections and curves with a radius greater than 650 meters.
What is the gauge adjustment range for 50 kg per meter rail? The adjustment range is from minus 8 mm to plus 16 mm using combinations of retaining plates and seats.
How often should gauge plate bolts be checked? Torque should be checked at regular maintenance intervals and after the first weeks of traffic, with loose nuts retightened immediately.
