Rail clips are an essential component of modern railway fastening systems, designed to hold the rail firmly onto the sleeper while allowing controlled elasticity to absorb vibrations and loads. There are several different types of rail clips, each with unique features and applications.
One of the most widely used is the Pandrol elastic clip, commonly referred to simply as the Pandrol clip. This type of clip is made of high-strength spring steel and provides excellent elasticity, ensuring strong clamping force while accommodating rail expansion and contraction. Pandrol clips are extensively applied in high-speed, heavy-haul, and standard railway lines due to their durability and ease of installation.
| Model | Diameter | Weight | Material |
| PR85 Rail Clip | Ø13 | 0.25kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| PR309A | Ø19 | 0.85kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| PR401 | Ø20 | 0.97kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| PR415 | Ø20 | 0.95kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| PR601A | Ø20 | 1.03kg/pc | 38Si7 |
Another common type is the SKL clip, originally developed in Germany. SKL clips are designed with a "tension clamp" style that applies a consistent downward pressure on the rail foot, enhancing track stability. They are particularly popular in European railway systems and are known for their reliability in both high-speed and conventional tracks.
| SKL Rail clip specification | |
| Name | SKL tension clamp |
| Material | 60Si2MnA 60Si2CrA 55Si2Mn 38Si7 |
| Hardness | 42-47HRC |
| Fatigue Life | for Dia.18 is 3 millions cycles without breaking |
| for Dia.20 is 5 millions cycles without breaking | |
| Surface | plain (oiled), Oxide black, color painting or according to customer requirement |
| Standard | DIN17221, BS970, GB/T1222 |
The e-clip is another variation. It is shaped in an "e" form and is inserted into pre-cast shoulders in the concrete sleeper. E-clips provide firm holding power, relatively simple installation, and are cost-effective, making them a practical choice for standard gauge tracks and freight railways.
| Model | Diameter | Material | Under Pressure | HRC | Weight |
| E1609 | Ø 16mm | 60Si2MnA | ≥950kg | 44-48 | 0.43kg/pc |
| E1809 | Ø 20mm | 60Si2MnA | ≥950kg | 44-48 | 0.61kg/pc |
| E1813 | Ø 18mm | 60Si2MnA | ≥950kg | 44-48 | 0.62kg/pc |
| E2001 | Ø 20mm | 60Si2MnA | ≥950kg | 44-48 | 0.80kg/pc |
| E2009 | Ø 20mm | 60Si2MnA | ≥950kg | 44-48 | 0.80kg/pc |
| E2039 | Ø 20mm | 60Si2MnA | ≥950kg | 44-48 | 0.80kg/pc |
| E2007 | Ø 20mm | 60Si2MnA | ≥950kg | 44-48 | 0.80kg/pc |
| E2055 | Ø 20mm | 60Si2MnA | ≥950kg | 44-48 | 0.80kg/pc |
| E2056 | Ø 20mm | 60Si2MnA | ≥950kg | 44-48 | 0.80kg/pc |
| E2063 | Ø 20mm | 60Si2MnA | ≥950kg | 44-48 | 0.80kg/pc |
Additionally, there are crane rail clips, which are widely used in industrial rail systems such as ports, steel plants, and workshops. Unlike elastic clips, these are often adjustable and can be bolted directly onto steel or concrete foundations, allowing precise rail alignment for heavy-duty applications.
| Crane Rail clip specification | |||
| Clip No. | Use with Rail Sections | Gauge ￠ to ￠ of Holes | Diameter of A - 325 Hex Head Machine Bolts |
| #114 | 20# ASCE - 40# ASCE | Rail Base + 1" | 5/8" |
| #120 | 25# ASCE - 40# ASCE | Rail Base + 2 1/2" | 3/4" |
| #103 | 40# ASCE - 100# AREA | Rail Base + 1 1/4" | 3/4" |
| #106 | 60# ASCE - 100# AREA | Rail Base + 2" | 3/4" |
| #62 | 80# ASCE - 175# CR | Rail Base + 1 1/2" | 1" |
| #175 | 175# CR | 8 1/4" | 1" |
Approved by China's Railway Ministry and certified by ISO9001 and SGS authorities,GNEE RAIL manufactures and supplies elastic rail clips of excellent properties covering complete types and standards. Using optimum spring steel as raw material, the finished products show high tensile strength and corrosion resistance after a series of precise processing procedures. The elastic rail clips we produced can withstand bending, torsion, fatigue corrosion, and many other effects.
