A rail spike is a fastening device that secures the rail base to the sleeper, maintaining constant track geometry while distributing operational loads into the track foundation. It must provide both holding strength and durability under vibration and weather exposure. GNEE RAIL supplies spikes matched to GB 8–60 kg/m rails, UIC50/54/60, DIN536 A-series crane rails, QU70–QU120, JIS standard rails, AS1085 rails, BS11 profiles, and AREMA/ASCE sections, and supports projects with specification selection, bulk supply, and fastening layout design.
What screws do you use for railway sleepers?
For railway sleepers, the screws most commonly used are screw spikes (coach screws) and sleeper screws, both designed to securely fasten rails or baseplates to timber or composite sleepers. These screws provide high holding strength, vibration resistance, and long-term stability, which is essential for maintaining track gauge and alignment under dynamic loads.
Screw spikes are threaded fasteners with a robust shank and head that are screwed into pre-drilled holes in the sleeper, clamping the rail or baseplate tightly. They are widely used in heavy-duty timber sleeper tracks, crane rails, turnouts, bridges, and industrial railways. Their thread design allows repeated tightening if needed, giving better long-term performance than driven spikes.
Sleeper screws are similar in function but are often used specifically to hold baseplates, rail pads, or other fastening components in place on the sleeper. They also rely on mechanical thread engagement with the sleeper material to resist vertical uplift, lateral displacement, and longitudinal creep.
what is the purpose of railway spike?
A railway spike (or track spike) is a large, specialized nail with an offset head used to securely fasten steel rails and base plates to wooden sleepers (ties). Its primary purpose is to maintain the railway track's gauge (distance between rails), prevent lateral/longitudinal movement, and ensure the structural stability and safety of the track.
Key functions and details include:
- Securing Rails: They hold the rail firmly in place against vertical and lateral forces exerted by passing trains.
- Maintaining Gauge: Spikes keep the rails at the precise distance apart, crucial for preventing derailments.
- Types: The most common types are dog spikes (used on wooden sleepers) and screw spikes (often used for concrete sleepers).
| the types of Ss Series Sleeper Screw | Product Name | Specification | Material | |
| 1 | Fishtail Bolt | M8-M64 | Q235,45#,55#,etc | |
| 2 | Screw Spike | Square Head Screw Spike | M16-M22 *145-200 | |
| Hexagon Head Screw Spike | ||||
| Other Types | ||||
| 3 | Sleeper Screw | Type | Specification | Weight/kg |
| Ss 1/130 | M22*130 | 0.451 | ||
| Ss 1/150 | M22*150 | 0.478 | ||
| Ss 2/180 | M22*180 | 0.595 | ||
| Ss 5/150 | M24*150 | 0.545 | ||
| Ss 6/130 | M26*130 | 0.658 | ||
| Ss 6/150 | M26*150 | 0.702 | ||
| Ss 6/170 | M26*170 | 0.385 | ||
| Ss 7/180 | M24*180 | 0.636 | ||
| Ss 8/140 | M24*140 | 0.528 | ||
| Ss 8/150 | M24*150 | 0.548 | ||
| Ss 8/160 | M24*160 | 0.568 | ||
| Ss 23/160 | M23*160 | 0.645 | ||
| Ss 24/165 | M24*165 | 0.59 | ||
| Ss 25/165 | M25*165 | 0.625 | ||
| Standards: AREMA, UIC or others following customer needs | Model：according to customer needs | Type: spike |
| Head type：various kinds | Neck type：Various kinds | Function：to fix rails |
| Applied range：to fasten rails of the railroad bed | Body type: various kinds | Length available：10--1000(mm) |
| Tolerance：according to customer needs | Surface finish: plain oil, black, HDG, galvanized, etc. | Material：Q235,35#,45#,60#,16Mn,65 Mn,40Cr,20MnTiB,35CrMo,42CrMo |
| Grade：3.6,4.6,4.8,5.6,5.8,6.8,8.8,9.8,10.9,12.9 | Spike specifications：According to customer drawings | Free sample and product customizing available |
- Design Features: They feature an offset head, a chisel-shaped point to reduce wood damage, and are driven into sleepers to resist loosening.
Rail spike, one of the products of GNEE RAIL , is used to connect the steel rail with rail sleeper or bind the rail plate and rail sleeper together.As a professional rail fasteners supplier,GNEE RAIL offers different kinds of railway fasteners to meet client's requirements, such as Elastic Rail Clip and Clamp, 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.
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