What is the purpose of rail elastic clip

Sep 26, 2025 Leave a message

Rail clip, or called elastic rail clip, is used to fasten steel rails to the underlying tie plate. Through bending and distortion, rail clip can put pressure on the rail, which prevents longitudinal movement of the rail, either from changes in temperature or through vibration. In general, rail clips are made of forged spring steel produced by hot forging process. Because of the most uniform microstructure, the forged rail clips are considered to be better than other metal forming process.

 

rail fasteners

 

The purpose of elastic rail clip

 

The primary function of rail clips is to maintain gauge stability. When train wheels pass over the rails at high speed, they generate cyclic vertical and lateral loads. The rail clips, through their constant pre-tensioning force, firmly press the rails against the rail pads and sleepers, preventing gauge deviation and ensuring smooth and safe train operation.

 

rail fastening

 

Furthermore, rail clips absorb impacts, dampen vibrations, and reduce noise. When used in conjunction with components such as rail tie plates, fishplates, and rail bolts, the clips help distribute the impact forces from the wheels onto the rails. This reduces the transmission of vibrations to the sleepers and ballast, effectively lowering noise levels and minimizing fatigue damage to the rails, thereby extending the service life of both the rails and sleepers. Rail clips are particularly critical in heavy-haul and high-speed railways, as these lines demand higher stability and elasticity from the track structure.

 

rail elastic clip

 

Varieties of rail clips from GNEE RAIL

 

SeriesTypeHardnessMaterialFatigue lifeSurfaceStandard
E rail clipE1,E2,E344-48HRC60Si2MnA:
C:0.56-0.64,Mn:0.60-0.90,
Si:1.60-2.00,Cr:≤0.35, P:≤0.03, S:≤0.03

60Si2CrA:
C:0.56-0.64,Mn:0.40-0.70,
Si:1.40-1.80,Cr:0.70-1.00 P:≤0.03, S:≤0.03

55Si2Mn:
C:0.52-0.60,Mn:0.60-0.90,
Si:1.50-2.00,Cr:≤0.35 P:≤0.03, S:≤0.03

38Si7:C:0.35-0.42,Mn:0.50-0.80,
Si:1.50-1.80, P:≤0.03, S:≤0.03
For Dia.18 is 3 million cycles
without breaking.


For Dia.20 is 5 million cycles
without breaking.
plain (oiled), Oxide black, color painting or according to customer requirement.DIN17221, BS970, GB/T1222
E1609
E1809
E1817
E2001
E2006
E2009
E2055
E2056
Vossloh clip&Forged rail clipSKL142-47HRC
PR rail clipPR30944-48HRC
PR401
PR601
PR85
Customized production of rail clips are available according to your drawings or samples!

 

Send your special customization requirements to GNEE.

 

Parameters of Main Rail Clip Products

 

rail clamp

 

ModelDiameterWeightMaterial
Type IIIØ180.80kg/pc60Si2MnA
E1609Ø160.43 kg/pc60Si2MnA
E1809Ø200.61kg/pc60Si2MnA
E1813Ø180.62kg/pc60Si2MnA
E2001Ø200.80kg/pc60Si2MnA
E2007Ø200.80kg/pc60Si2MnA
E2009Ø200.80kg/pc60Si2MnA
E2039Ø200.80kg/pc60Si2MnA
E2055Ø200.80kg/pc60Si2MnA
E2056Ø200.80kg/pc60Si2MnA
E2063Ø200.80kg/pc60Si2MnA
PR85 Rail ClipØ130.25kg/pc60Si2MnA
PR309AØ190.85kg/pc60Si2MnA
PR401Ø200.97kg/pc60Si2MnA
PR415Ø200.95kg/pc60Si2MnA
PR601AØ201.03kg/pc38Si7
SKL 1Ø130.48kg/pc60Si2CrA
SKL 3Ø130.48kg/pc60Si2CrA
SKL 12Ø130.53kg/pc38Si7
SKL 14Ø130.53kg/pc60Si2MnA
Special Rail ClipØ130.48kg/pc60Si2MnA
Russia Rail ClipØ180.58kg/pc60Si2MnA
Deenik ClipØ250.49-0.68kg/pc60Si2MnA
Single Anti-Ø200.25kg/pc60Si2MnA
Theft

 

GNEE RAIL offers different kinds of railway fasteners to meet client's requirements, such as Rail Screw Spike, Plastic Dowel, High Tensile Track Bolt with Nut, Rail Base(Tie) Plate, Rail Fish Plate, Railway Shoulder(Insert), Fish Bolt, Railroad Rubber and EVA Pad, etc. Samples and drawings provided by customer, we will manufacture qualified products accordingly.

 

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