Why Fishplate is Still Popular in Rail Track System?

A rail fish plate is a mechanical connector that allows separate rail lengths to function together structurally by transferring shear and bending forces across a bolted joint. GNEE RAIL offers fish plates for GB light and heavy rails, UIC standards, JIS rail profiles, AS1085 rails, BS11 sections, AREMA/ASCE rail systems, and high-load crane rails specified by DIN536 and QU, with pre-assembly and inspection services.

Why Fishplate is Still Popular in Rail Track System?

Fishplates (or splice bars) remain popular in rail track systems because they provide essential structural stability, maintain alignment, and allow for thermal expansion/contraction at rail joints. While welded tracks are used for high-speed lines, fishplates are crucial for connecting, repairing, and supporting rails in various applications, ensuring safety and allowing for easy maintenance.

Key Reasons for Continued Popularity:

• Accommodation of Thermal Expansion: Fishplates are vital for connecting rails while allowing them to expand and contract with temperature changes, preventing buckling.

• Structural Integrity and Load Distribution: They hold rail ends together securely, maintaining the alignment (both horizontal and vertical) and distributing train wheel loads, which reduces wear on the tracks.

• Easy Maintenance and Replacement: Unlike welded joints, fishplates allow for quick installation, repairs, and replacement, minimizing downtime for track maintenance.

• Versatility in Track Types: They are used in various railway sections, including metro, industrial, and heavy-haul tracks, serving as reliable, cost-effective, and safe connections.

• Compromise Joints: Special "compromise" fishplates are crucial for joining rails of different sizes or profiles together.

Despite the trend towards continuously welded rails, fishplates are still widely utilized due to their reliability and necessity in track upkeep.

What are the specifications and types of rail joints?

Rail joints are crucial railway components-often using fishplates, bolts, and washers-that connect rail ends to ensure structural continuity, manage thermal expansion, and withstand wheel loads. Common types include standard (four or six-hole), insulated (for electric signaling), compromise (for different rail sizes), and welded joints. Specifications vary by weight (e.g., 8kg to 60kg for light/heavy rail) and standards like GB, BS, or UIC.

Types of Rail Joints

By Design/Position:

• Supported: Rail ends rest directly on a sleeper.

• Suspended: Joint is between two sleepers.

• Bridge: A metal section connects rail ends without resting on a sleeper.

• Square/Staggered: Square joints align parallel, while staggered joints align with the center of the opposite rail.

By Application:

• Ordinary/Standard: Used for connecting rails of the same size.

• Insulated: Essential for automated block signaling, insulating the track electrically.

• Compromise/Compromised: Used to connect rails with different profiles or sizes.

• Welded/Glued: High-strength, often used to eliminate gaps for smoother travel.

• Expansion: Designed to handle significant thermal expansion and contraction.

Key Specifications and Components

• Size Standards: Manufactured to fit specific rail weights, such as light rails (8kg–30kg) and heavy rails (38kg, 43kg, 50kg, 60kg), or crane rails (QU70, QU100, etc.).

• Hole Configuration: Typically four or six holes for bolted connections, often oval to allow for expansion.

• Material: Usually steel, designed for high tensile strength and fatigue resistance.

• Components: Fishplates (joint bars), fish bolts, nuts, and spring washers.

• Key Design Feature: Insulated joints must maintain electrical isolation, often using thermosetting, high-strength composite materials.

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.

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