A rail joint is a fastening assembly that connects rail ends, ensuring continuity in track geometry, preventing gaps, and resisting movement due to traffic and temperature changes. Proper joint selection minimizes maintenance and improves track stability. GNEE RAIL provides joints in all major standards, including GB, UIC, DIN536, QU, JIS, AS1085, BS11, and AREMA/ASCE rails, with options for carbon steel, alloy steel, and surface treatments such as HDG and Dacromet, plus project-specific engineering support.
What are the 4 types of fish plate?
The four primary types of railway fish plates (joint bars) used to connect rail ends are standard (common) fish plates, joggled fish plates, compromise (transition) fish plates, and insulated fish plates. These components ensure structural continuity, electrical insulation, or smooth transitions between different rail sizes.
- Standard (Common) Fish Plate: The most frequently used type, typically featuring a 4-hole or 6-hole design to connect rails of the same profile and weight.
- Joggled Fish Plate: Specifically designed with a "joggle" or bulge to accommodate welded rail joints, providing added strength and reducing stress at the joint.
- Compromise (Transition) Fish Plate: Used to join two rails of different profiles or weights (e.g., connecting a 50kg rail to a 60kg rail).
- Insulated Fish Plate: Designed with non-conductive materials (like fiberglass or epoxy) to electrically isolate track sections for signaling systems.
Why use a railway joint?
Railway joints (or fishplates) connect rail ends to ensure structural continuity, maintain proper alignment, and allow for thermal expansion/contraction, which prevents track buckling or snapping. They secure the track, enabling safe train passage by distributing loads, reducing vibration, and permitting easy maintenance or replacement.
Key Functions of Railway Joints:
- Expansion and Contraction: They provide necessary gaps (expansion joints) for rails to safely expand in summer heat and contract in winter.
- Structural Stability: They hold rail ends together, ensuring the track remains stable and aligned for passing trains.
- Load Distribution: Joints help distribute the heavy, dynamic loads of trains across the track, reducing stress on the rails.
- Maintenance and Repair: They allow for easier maintenance, inspection, and replacement of individual rail sections.
- Safety: By maintaining the integrity of the track, they prevent derailments and accidents.
Rail Joint (Fish Plate) Specification
| Parameter | Description & Common Standards |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Rail Joint Bar / Fish Plate / Splice Bar |
| Function | Connects two rail ends, maintains alignment, and transmits load across the joint. |
| Applicable Rail Sections | - UIC Series: UIC 54, UIC 60 - BS Series: BS 75R, BS 90A, BS 100A - AREMA Series: 115RE, 136RE - GB Series: 50 kg/m, 60 kg/m, 75 kg/m - AS Series: AS 50, AS 60, AS 68 - Crane Rail Series: QU70, QU80, QU100, QU120 |
| Common Types | - Standard Joint Bar: 4-bolt, 6-bolt patterns. - Compromise Joint Bar: Connects two different rail sections. - Insulated Joint Bar (IJB): Electrically isolates track circuits, made with composite materials or coated steel. - Joggled Joint Bar: Has a depressed section to allow smooth wheel passage over the gap. |
| Standard Length | Typically 600mm, 800mm, or 1000mm per side. Longer bars provide greater stiffness. |
| Hole Pattern & Fastening | - Bolt Hole Quantity: Usually 4 or 6 holes per bar side. - Bolt Diameter: 24mm, 22mm, 1 inch are common. - Hole Spacing: Standardized per rail profile (e.g., ~150mm between holes). |
| Key Dimensional Tolerances | - Hole Diameter: ±0.5mm - Hole Spacing: ±0.7mm - Bar Length: ±2.0mm - Flatness & Straightness: Per EN 13674-4 or AREMA Ch.4 |
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.
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