A rail fish plate is a steel jointing device designed to prevent misalignment and excessive movement at rail ends while providing a reliable load path across non-welded joints. GNEE RAIL produces fish plates for GB light and heavy rails, UIC standards, DIN536 and QU crane rails, JIS rail types, AS1085 rails, BS11 profiles, and AREMA/ASCE rail sections, offering quality verification and project-specific joint solutions.
Rail Joints Classification
Rail joints are structural components (fishplates) used to connect rail ends, ensuring continuity, safety, and allowing for thermal expansion. They are classified by position (supported/suspended), alignment (staggered/square), function (insulated/compromise/expansion), and fixing method (bolted/welded). Proper joint selection is crucial for minimizing track degradation.
| Classification Category | Type of Rail Joint | Core Definition / Key Characteristics |
| By Position on Track | Square Joint | Joints on parallel rails are aligned opposite each other. Common on straight tracks; simple but causes more impact. |
| Staggered Joint | Joints on one rail are opposite the mid-point of the adjacent rail. Primarily used on curves to reduce forces and improve ride quality. | |
| By Position of Sleepers | Supported Joint | Rail ends rest directly on a single "joint sleeper". Minimizes deflection but creates a rigid, high-maintenance point. |
| Suspended Joint | Rail ends are located between two sleepers. The most common type; offers flexibility but requires more frequent maintenance. | |
| Bridge Joint | Similar to suspended, but uses a metal bridge plate to connect rails on either side of the joint. Not widely used. | |
| By Performance & Application | Ordinary (Bolted) Joint | Standard connection using fishplates and bolts. Cost-effective, allows for thermal expansion. |
| Compromise Joint | Connects two rails of different sizes/profiles. Uses specially shaped fishplates to ensure a smooth transition. | |
| Conductive Joint | Ensures electrical continuity between rail sections for traction current and signaling, using conductive materials. | |
| Insulated Joint (IRJ) | Electrically isolates rail sections for signaling systems. Uses insulating materials between rails and plates. | |
| Welded Joint | Rail ends are fused together (e.g., thermite welding). Creates Continuous Welded Rail (CWR) for a smoother, stronger track. | |
| Frozen Joint | A defective condition where tight or corroded fishplates prevent thermal expansion/contraction, leading to high stress. | |
| Expansion Joint (REJ) | Allows controlled longitudinal rail movement (e.g., on bridges) to prevent buckling or breakage due to temperature changes. |
Features of Rail Joints in Railway
Rail joints are critical structural components in railway engineering that connect rail ends, ensuring continuity, structural strength, and safety. Key features include providing necessary expansion gaps, maintaining track alignment and gauge, and ensuring consistent vertical/lateral stiffness to support heavy loads. They are primarily secured using fishplates, bolts, and washers, which offer flexibility and easy, cost-effective maintenance.
Key Features and Characteristics of Rail Joints
- Structural Integrity: They must be strong, rigid, and offer similar, if not identical, strength to the rail sections they connect to prevent sagging or failure.
- Thermal Expansion & Contraction: A critical feature is allowing for movement between rail ends to accommodate temperature changes, preventing buckling (in hot weather) or pulling apart (in cold weather).
- Alignment & Continuity: Joints maintain a smooth, level, and straight surface for wheels to pass over without excessive impact, vibration, or jumping.
- Fishplate & Bolt Assembly: Standard joints typically consist of high-strength steel fishplates (joint bars) with four or six bolts and spring washers to lock the rails.
- Flexibility & Maintenance: They are designed for easy removal and replacement, facilitating the maintenance of individual rail sections without replacing the entire track.
- Insulation Features: In signalling territories, insulated rail joints (IRJs) are used, which are designed with non-conductive, rust-proof, and anti-erosion materials (like composites) to prevent electric current flow between rails.
Founded in 2008, GNEE RAIL is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of railway components, specializing in high-quality rail fish plates (joint bars/splice bars) with strong production capacity and global service capabilities.
| Fishplate for UIC Standard Steel Rail | |||
| Steel Rail Type | Steel Rail Weight (KG/M) | Fishplate Standard | Fishplate Material |
| UIC54 | 54.43 | UIC | 45#,55# |
| UIC60 | 60.34 | ||
| Fishplate for BS Standard Steel Rail | |||
| BS50'O' | 24.833 | BS 47-1 | 55#,45# European Grade 700 |
| BS60A | 30.618 | ||
| BS75R | 37.041 | ||
| BS80A | 39.761 | ||
| BS90A | 45.099 | ||
| BS100A | 50.182 | ||
| BS113A | 56.398 | ||
| Joint Bar for AREMA 2007 Standard Steel Rail | |||
| 100RE(TR50) | 50.35 | AREMA 2007 | 45#,55#,AREMA Grade Steel |
| 115RE | 56.9 | ||
| 115-119RE | |||
| 132RE | 65.31 | ||
| 133RE | 66.1 | ||
| 136RE | 67.41 | ||
| 132-136RE | |||
| Fishplate For Chinese Standard Steel Rail | |||
| GB15KG | 15.2 | YB226-63 | Q235,45# |
| GB18KG | 18.06 | YB225-63 | |
| GB22KG | 22.3 | YB14-63 | |
| GB24KG | 24.46 | ||
| GB30KG | 30.1 | YB351-63 | |
| GB38KG | 38.733 | TB/T 2345-2008 | 45#,55# |
| GB43KG | 44.653 | ||
| GB50KG | 51.514 | ||
| Rail Type | Standard Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Thickness (mm) | Hole Diameter (mm) | Hole Spacing (mm) | Bolt Size | Material Options | Surface Treatment |
| QU70 Crane Rail Fishplate | 760 | 70 | 20 | 24 | 90/105 | M24 | Carbon Steel / Alloy Steel | Oiled / Galvanized / Painted |
| QU80 Crane Rail Fishplate | 820 | 75 | 20 | 24 | 100/120 | M24 | Carbon Steel / Alloy Steel | Oiled / Galvanized / Painted |
| QU100 Crane Rail Fishplate | 950 | 80 | 22 | 26 | 105/125 | M27 | Carbon Steel / Alloy Steel | Oiled / Galvanized / Painted |
| QU120 Crane Rail Fishplate | 1050 | 85 | 26 | 26 | 110/130 | M27 | Carbon Steel / Alloy Steel | Oiled / Galvanized / Painted |
Our rail fish plate portfolio is comprehensive and compliant with international standards including UIC, AREMA, BS, DIN, and GB, covering light rail (8kg-30kg), heavy rail (38kg-75kg), and crane rail (QU70-QU120) systems. We offer diverse types such as insulated joint bars, bulged fish plates, and compromise rail joints,with precise specifications (4-hole/6-hole, 24-inch/36-inch), ensuring excellent mechanical performance.We uphold strict quality control supported by ISO 9001:2015 certification, an in-house inspection center, and third-party audits by SGS and BV. Our one-stop service includes customization, production, packaging, and after-sales support, tailored to clients' project needs.
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