↵Rail Fishplate Fastening System
A Railway Fishplate, also known as a splice bar or joint bar, is a steel connector bolted to the sides of the rail web to join two rail ends together in a semi-rigid butt joint.
It serves as a critical component in maintaining rail alignment, transmitting bending moments and shear forces across the joint, and ensuring electrical continuity in electrified or signaling tracks.
Typically manufactured as a symmetrical pair, fishplates are contoured to match the rail profile and feature multiple bolt holes to distribute load and create a clamped connection.
Technical Specifications:
| Fishplate Type | Compatible Rail Section | Number of Bolts | Key Material / Grade | Primary Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Joint Bar | 136 RE (North America) | 6 | Medium Carbon Steel | Mainline mechanical joints |
| Heavy Duty Fishplate | UIC 60 (Europe) | 6 | Alloy Steel (e.g., 36CrB4) | High-tonnage freight lines |
| Insulated Fishplate | 50E1 / 60E1 | 4 | Steel with Composite Insert | Signaling block joints |
| Compromise Fishplate | e.g., UIC 54 to UIC 60 | 6 | High-Strength Low-Alloy | Joining different rail profiles |
| Breather/Expansion Fishplate | CWR Sections | 4 | Heat-Treated Steel | End-of-CWR expansion zones |
Functional & Engineering Perspective
Construction joints in Continuous Welded Rail (CWR) where long welded strings are connected in the field, requiring a strong mechanical joint before final welding or as a permanent installation.
Insulated Block Joints (IBJs) in signaling territories, where fishplates incorporate non-conductive materials (like nylon or composite inserts) to electrically isolate track circuits while providing mechanical strength.
Turnouts, Crossings, and Special Trackwork where rails of different angles or sections must be joined, often requiring custom-machined or asymmetric fishplates.
Maintenance & Operational Perspective
- Frequent bolt torque inspections are critical, typically performed every 3-6 months due to the high-impact "pumping" action at joints that can quickly loosen fasteners.
- Regular visual and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) for cracks and wear, especially in the bolt hole areas and the bearing surface against the rail web, conducted at least annually.
- Periodic re-dressing of joint surfaces may be required every 5-10 years to correct "battered" or deformed rail ends and fishplate bearing areas caused by wheel impacts.
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