A rail fish plate is a joint reinforcement bar designed to maintain rail alignment and structural cooperation at rail ends where continuity would otherwise be interrupted. It protects rail joints from excessive deflection under service loads. GNEE RAIL supplies fish plates covering GB 8–60 kg/m, UIC50–UIC60, DIN536 crane rails, QU crane rails, JIS profiles, AS1085 rail types, BS11 sections, and AREMA/ASCE standards, supported by inspection and quality control.
What is the length of fish plate in railway?
Fish plates in railways typically range from 400mm to over 900mm in length, with standard 4-hole fish plates usually measuring around 600mm to 610mm, while 6-hole plates are commonly 800mm to 900mm long. The length depends on the rail section (e.g., UIC 60, 52 kg) and the required bolt configuration to ensure structural integrity.
- Standard Lengths: 457.2 mm, 600 mm, 610 mm (4-hole).
- Long/Heavy Duty Lengths: 800 mm to 914.4 mm (6-hole).
- Fish Plate Components: Generally, they are about 20-30mm thick and designed specifically for the rail profile, often made of steel (e.g., M54-grade steel).
- Combination/Special: Used for connecting different rail profiles, with lengths tailored to special requirements.
Fish plates ensure the rail running edge and surface match, with standard lengths like 610mm commonly used for 52kg/60kg rails.
How heavy is a railroad joint bar?
Railroad joint bars, or fishplates, typically weigh between 10 kg (22 lb) and over 26 kg (57 lb) per piece, depending on the rail size, length, and number of bolt holes. Common heavy-duty 6-hole, 36-inch bars for 115RE-136RE rail weigh approximately 25-27 kg (55-60 lb) each.
Typical Joint Bar Weights:
- Heavy Duty (6-Hole, ~36 inch): 22.9 kg to 26.63 kg (approx. 50-59 lb).
- Standard/Light Duty (4-Hole, ~24 inch): 15 kg to 18 kg (approx. 33-40 lb).
- Light Rail Joint Bars: 8 kg to 30 kg (17-66 lb).
These steel connectors are essential for joining rail ends, and their weight varies significantly based on the specific rail profile (e.g., UIC54, UIC60, 115RE, 132RE) and the length of the bar.
| 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 | ||
How to choose the appropriate specifications for a rail joint bar?
Choosing the appropriate rail joint bar (fishplate) involves matching the bar profile precisely to the rail section (e.g., AREMA, UIC, BS), determining the required strength based on traffic load, and selecting the bolt hole configuration. Key considerations include using hardened steel for heavy duty, selecting insulated joints for signaling, and ensuring proper hole spacing.
Key Selection Criteria
- Rail Profile Matching: The most critical step is ensuring the joint bar fits the fishing angles and web height of the rail, such as 115RE, 132RE, 136RE, or 141RE.
| 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 | ||
Material and Strength:
- 45# or 50Mn Steel: Suitable for standard high-strength requirements.
- Heat-Treated Steel: Recommended for heavy-duty, high-fatigue areas, often requiring quenching and tempering to improve tensile strength (> 690 Mpa).
- Q235B/Q345B: Used for lighter, temporary, or industrial tracks.
| 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) |
Environment and Application:
- Insulated Joints: Required where track circuits are used for signaling.
- Compromise Joints: Needed when connecting two different rail profiles.
Bolt Hole Configuration:
Must match the hole diameter, spacing, and number (e.g., 4 or 6 holes) of the rail.
Surface Treatment:
For increased corrosion resistance, options include hot-dip galvanizing or oiling.
Installation Considerations
- Orientation: Ensure proper identification of left-hand and right-hand bars for correct fit.
- Tightening Sequence: For 4-hole bars, tighten the middle two bolts first, then the outer bolts, and repeat
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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