A rail fish plate is a structural connector designed to stabilize rail ends by maintaining alignment and load-sharing capability where two rails meet mechanically. It reduces impact stress and joint degradation. GNEE RAIL offers fish plates for DIN536 A-series and QU crane rails, UIC50–UIC60, GB light and heavy rails, JIS rails, AS1085 profiles, BS11 standards, and AREMA/ASCE rails, supported by bolt-grade matching services.
Why Fishplates Are Essential for Track Stability?
Fishplates are essential for railway track stability because they securely join rail ends, maintaining continuous alignment, level, and gauge, which prevents derailments. By bolting together, they distribute heavy wheel loads, reduce vibrations, and allow for expansion/contraction, ensuring structural integrity and a smoother, safer ride.
Key reasons for their necessity in track stability include:
- Structural Continuity: Fishplates ensure that the two ends of connected rails remain properly aligned in both horizontal (gauge) and vertical (level) planes.
- Load Distribution: They act as a bridge, transferring the heavy dynamic loads from one rail to the next, which reduces stress on individual sleepers and rails.
- Preventing Misalignment: By holding the rail ends together, they prevent lateral and vertical misalignment that could cause derailments.
- Expansion and Contraction: They are designed to allow for the expansion and contraction of rails due to temperature changes while still maintaining a stable connection.
- Reducing Maintenance: By securing the joint, fishplates reduce the impact forces on the sleeper support, extending the lifespan of the track and reducing maintenance costs.
- Signaling Support: Fishplates are crucial for maintaining proper electrical insulation for signaling systems, crucial for safe train operations.
They are typically made from high-strength steel or ductile iron to withstand these intense, repeated, and dynamic, stresses.
What are the size of the rail joint bar?
Rail joint bars (or fishplates) typically come in standard lengths of 24 inches (4-hole) or 36 inches (6-hole) for mainline tracks, with specific hole spacing (e.g., 6" × 6" × 7 – 1/8") tailored for rail sections like 115RE, 132RE, or UIC60. Weights range from 17kg to over 26kg depending on the rail weight and length.
Key Sizes and Specifications
- Standard Lengths: 4-hole bars are usually 24 inches (approx. 610mm), and 6-hole bars are 36 inches (approx. 914mm).
- Hole Configuration: Oval or round holes, often spaced at 6" × 6" × 7 – 1/8" for 115-132 lb rails.
Common Rail Types & Sizes:
- 115RE/119RE: 4 or 6 holes, 24" or 36" length.
- 132RE/136RE: 4 or 6 holes, 24" or 36" length.
| 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 | |||
- UIC54/UIC60: Commonly used in international standards, often 600mm+ lengths.
| 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 | ||
- Crane Rails (QU70/80): Specifically designed, with lengths around 760mm-800mm.
|
Rail Type |
Standard Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Thickness (mm) | Hole Diameter (mm) | Hole Spacing (mm) | Bolt Size | Material Options | Surface Treatment |
| 43kg Rail Fishplate | 800 | 65 | 16 | 22 | 90/105 | M22 | Carbon Steel / Alloy Steel | Oiled / Galvanized / Painted |
| 50kg Rail Fishplate | 800 | 65 | 20 | 24 | 100/120 | M24 | Carbon Steel / Alloy Steel | Oiled / Galvanized / Painted |
| 60kg Rail Fishplate | 860 | 70 | 20 | 24 | 100/120 | M24 | Carbon Steel / Alloy Steel | Oiled / Galvanized / Painted |
| QU70 Crane Rail Fishplate | 760 | 70 | 20 | 24 | 90/105 | M24 | Carbon Steel / Alloy Steel | Oiled / Galvanized / Painted |
| QU80 Crane Rail Fishplate | 820 | 75 | 20 | 24 | 100/120 | M24 | Carbon Steel / Alloy Steel | Oiled / Galvanized / Painted |
| QU100 Crane Rail Fishplate | 950 | 80 | 22 | 26 | 105/125 | M27 | Carbon Steel / Alloy Steel | Oiled / Galvanized / Painted |
| QU120 Crane Rail Fishplate | 1050 | 85 | 26 | 26 | 110/130 | M27 | Carbon Steel / Alloy Steel | Oiled / Galvanized / Painted |
Material: Usually made from high-strength steel grades such as 45#, 50#, or 55#.
Key Measurements
- Height of Bar: Approx. 5-1/16" for 115-132RE, designed to fit securely between the rail head and base.
- Bolt Hole Diameter: Commonly 25.4mm to 35.7mm, depending on the standard.
These bars are used to connect rail ends, and variations include insulated joints, compromise joints (joining different rail sizes), and joggled (bent) bars.
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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