Railway Fish Plate weight

Feb 04, 2026 Leave a message

A rail fish plate is a structural connector that enables jointed rails to transmit bending moments and shear forces across non-welded connections, reducing impact forces at rail ends. It is essential for traditional jointed track operation. GNEE RAIL offers fish plates for GB 8–60 kg/m, UIC50–UIC60, DIN536 A-series crane rails, QU crane rails, JIS rail types, AS1085 rails, BS11 profiles, and AREMA/ASCE rails, supported by material selection and surface treatment options.

 

Railway Fish Plate weight

 

Railway fish plates (joint bars) typically weigh between 10 kg and 28 kg per piece, depending on the rail size (e.g., 50 kg/m or 60 kg/m) and length. Common, standard-duty plates (e.g., for 60 kg rails) usually weigh between 12 kg and 23.78 kg, while lighter rail fish plates can be lower in weight.

 

Typical Weight by Type and Standard:

 

rail fish plate
  • 60 kg Joggled Fish Plate: 12–15 kg.

 

  • UIC60 (4 Hole): 18.1 kg.

 

  • UIC54 (4 Hole): 14.34 kg.

 

  • 50 kg (4 Hole): 14.3 kg.

 

  • 115RE (4 Hole): 17.04 kg.

 

  • 132-136RE (4 Hole): 17.75 kg.

 

  • Standard 4-6 Hole Plate Range: 10–28 kg.

 

Standard Type Length/Diameter Weight /Material  
AREMA 2007 115RE 4 hole-24" 17.04Kg 45# chemical
115RE 6 hole-36" 25.56Kg composition(%):
132-136RE 4 hole-24" 17.75Kg C: 0.42-0.50
132-136RE 6 hole-36" 26.63Kg Mn: 0.50-0.80
UIC864 UIC60 4 hole-630/Φ26 18.07Kg Si: 0.17-0.37
UIC60 4 hole-600/Φ28 17.47Kg Cr: ≤0.25
UIC60 4 hole-630/Φ25 18.1Kg P: ≤0.035
UIC54 4 hole 14.34Kg S: ≤0.035
UIC54 6 hole-800 19.94Kg  
BS 47-1 BS75R 4 hole 6.56Kg  
BS60A 4 hole 5.61Kg  
BS80A 4 hole 6.5Kg  
BS90A 685.8/Φ26 13.23Kg 50# chemical
BS90A 792.9/Φ26.2 15.34Kg composition(%):
BS100A 4 hole   C: 0.62-0.70
  90/91LB 4 hole 18.08Kg Mn: 0.50-0.80
90/91LB 6 hole 19.9Kg Si: 0.17-0.37
AS 50kg 4 hole 14.3Kg Cr: ≤0.25
50kg 6 hole 19.5Kg P: ≤0.035
  S49 4 hole 9.71Kg S: ≤0.035

 

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

 

Factors Influencing Weight:

 

  • Rail Size: Larger rails (e.g., 60kg, 75kg) require heavier, larger fish plates compared to light rails (e.g., 8kg-30kg).

 

  • Length & Holes: Longer fish plates with 6 holes are generally heavier than 4-hole counterparts.

 

  • Material: Usually made from hot-rolled steel, high-strength, or nodular cast iron.

 

rail joint

 

Material Type Typical Grade / Designation Chemical Composition (wt%) Notes / Equivalent Standards
Carbon Structural Steel Q235 (GB/T 700) C: ≤0.22 Common mild steel for general joint bars. Similar to ASTM A36, S235JR.
Si: ≤0.35
Mn: 0.30-0.65
P: ≤0.045
S: ≤0.045
Carbon Structural Steel Q255 (GB/T 700) C: 0.18-0.28 Slightly higher strength than Q235.
Si: ≤0.35
Mn: 0.40-0.70
P: ≤0.045
S: ≤0.045
Medium Carbon Steel 50Mn / 50BA (GOST 10779) C: 0.47-0.55 Classic high-strength fish plate steel. Widely used for mainline joints.
Si: 0.17-0.37
Mn: 0.80-1.20
P: ≤0.040
S: ≤0.045
Medium Carbon Steel 55# (GB/T 699) C: 0.52-0.60 Standard medium carbon steel for demanding applications. Similar to AISI 1055.
Si: 0.17-0.37
Mn: 0.50-0.80
P: ≤0.035
S: ≤0.035
Alloy Steel 42CrMo (GB/T 3077) C: 0.38-0.45 High-strength, high-toughness alloy for severe service. Similar to AISI 4140/4142.
Si: 0.17-0.37
Mn: 0.50-0.80
Cr: 0.90-1.20
Mo: 0.15-0.25
P: ≤0.035
S: ≤0.035
Spheroidal Graphite Cast Iron QT450-10 (GB/T 1348) C: 3.60-3.90 Used in some traditional/joint kits for its castability and damping properties. Similar to EN-GJS-450-10.
Si: 2.00-3.00
Mn: ≤0.50
P: ≤0.07
S: ≤0.015
Mg: 0.03-0.06 (Nodulizer)
Insulating Composite Material Epoxy Fiberglass / FRP Base: Epoxy Resin No metallic elements. Provides electrical insulation (Resistivity >10¹² Ω·cm), corrosion resistance.
Reinforcement: E-Glass Fiber (>60%)
Additives: Hardener, fillers (e.g., SiO₂)

 

  • Type: Insulated joints, designed for electrical signaling, may have different weights due to composite materials.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Click here to obtain the detailed product catalog of GNEE RAIL.