How are railroad tracks secured?
Railroad tracks are secured by fastening steel rails to railroad ties (wood, concrete, or steel) using spikes, clips, or bolts, which sit within ballast (crushed rock) that distributes weight and drains water, while rail anchors prevent longitudinal movement, maintaining consistent gauge and stability against heavy train loads.
Key Components & Methods:
Ties (Sleepers): Perpendicular beams (wood, concrete) under the rails that hold them at the correct distance (gauge) and transfer load to the ballast.
Fasteners:
- Spikes: Large nails driven into wooden ties to hold rails or baseplates.
- Clips/Fastening Systems: Used with concrete ties, these spring-steel clips secure the rail to a baseplate on the tie, often with pads to absorb shock.
| Model | Diameter | Weight | Material |
| Type III | Ø18 | 0.80kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| E1609 | Ø16 | 0.43 kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| E1809 | Ø20 | 0.61kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| E1813 | Ø18 | 0.62kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| E2001 | Ø20 | 0.80kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| E2007 | Ø20 | 0.80kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| E2009 | Ø20 | 0.80kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| E2039 | Ø20 | 0.80kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| E2055 | Ø20 | 0.80kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| E2056 | Ø20 | 0.80kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| E2063 | Ø20 | 0.80kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| PR85 Rail Clip | Ø13 | 0.25kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| PR309A | Ø19 | 0.85kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| PR401 | Ø20 | 0.97kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| PR415 | Ø20 | 0.95kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| PR601A | Ø20 | 1.03kg/pc | 38Si7 |
| SKL 1 | Ø13 | 0.48kg/pc | 60Si2CrA |
| SKL 3 | Ø13 | 0.48kg/pc | 60Si2CrA |
| SKL 12 | Ø13 | 0.53kg/pc | 38Si7 |
| SKL 14 | Ø13 | 0.53kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| Special Rail Clip | Ø13 | 0.48kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| Russia Rail Clip | Ø18 | 0.58kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| Deenik Clip | Ø25 | 0.49-0.68kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| Single Anti- | Ø20 | 0.25kg/pc | 60Si2MnA |
| Theft |
- Bolts: Used at rail joints and with baseplates for secure connections.
- Ballast: Crushed stone that supports the ties, allowing for drainage and preventing track movement.
- Rail Anchors: Devices clamped to the rail that dig into the ballast to stop the track from shifting lengthwise due to temperature changes or train forces.
| Name | Rail Anchors | ||
| Type | Used for 50Kg, 85Kg,90/91LB, 115RE /136RE ,UIC54 & UIC60 rail | ||
| Or the type by customers' drawings | |||
| Material | 60Si2MnA | 45# | QT500-7 |
| Chemical composition (%) | C:0.56-0.64, Mn:0.60-0.90, Si:1.60-2.00, Cr:≤0.35, P:≤0.03, S:≤0.03 | C:0.42-0.50, Mn:0.50-0.80, Si:0.17-0.37, Cr:≤0.25, P:≤0.035, S:≤0.035 | C:3.60-3.80, Mn:≤0.6, Si:2.50-2.90, P:≤0.08, S:≤0.025 |
| Surface | plain (oiled),color painting | ||
- Tie Plates: Metal plates between the rail and tie (or baseplate) that spread the load and prevent wear.
A base tie plate, also called sole plate or baseplate, is a piece of plate made by steel used between the rails and sleeper ties in order to enlarge the bearing touching area and maintain the rail in right gauge all the time. For wooden ties, a baseplate is always fixed with rail spikes or track bolts in holes on the plate.
Welding: Thermite welding joins rail sections into long, continuous welded rail (CWR) for smoother, stronger tracks.
GNEE RAIL offers different kinds of railway fasteners to meet client's requirements, such as Elastic Rail Clip and Clamp, 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.