Railway fish plate, it is also called rail joint or joint bar. As one of the rail components, rail joint's function is different from other rail components. Rail joint is a flat metal plate usually used to connect adjacent two rails by a number of rail bolts or railroad spikes. Traditionally, railway fish plate is drilled with some holes on the ends of the sections to be connected. There are some holes in the end of railway track, which are used to be lined up with the holes in the railway fish plate and jointed with rail bolt. In general, railway fish plates are made of steel, but plastics and composites are alternative raw materials for rail joint.
Fishplates are a type of railway fasteners. Railway fasteners refer to various components used for connecting, securing, and supporting rails and track structures. Fishplates are specifically designed for rail joints, serving as critical components that firmly connect two rail sections together through fish bolts. They not only ensure proper alignment (track straightness) at the joint but also withstand longitudinal tension, shear forces, and impact loads generated during train operation, thereby maintaining track continuity and stability.
As railway fasteners, fishplates, like other accessories, must possess high strength, wear resistance, and fatigue resistance to meet the demands of different track environments. Depending on their functions, fishplates can be categorized into standard fishplates, insulated fishplates, non-standard fishplates, and transition fishplates, among others. These play indispensable roles in various railway lines, including heavy-haul railways, high-speed railways, and urban transit systems. Without fishplates, rail joints would lack stable connections, potentially leading to gauge variations, joint gap movement, or even rail fractures, significantly compromising operational safety.
GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAYL not only manufactures fishplates in various standard and custom specifications but also supplies matching fish bolts, spring washers, and flat washers. Additionally, we provide a wide range of railway fasteners, including rail clips (such as SKL, Nabla, E Clip, Fast Clip, and KPO types), screw spikes, dog spikes, gauge rods, rail pads, rail braces, rail clamps, and insulated gauge blocks. If you require more detailed information on railway fastener products, please contact us.
