The Type I elastic clip fasteners are suitable for standard-gauge railway straight lines and curves with a radius of not less than 300m, used to connect 50kg/m and 60kg/m steel rails with prestressed concrete sleepers or wide prestressed concrete sleepers, with a maximum height adjustment of 10mm. Their laying work has strict requirements, which are crucial to the safety and stability of railway operation.
Pre-laying Preparations
Conduct a comprehensive inspection of sleeper quality to ensure no cracks, damage, or other issues. The rail bearing groove surface must be flat, clean, and free of debris.
Based on parameters such as rail type and gauge, precisely select suitable fastener components including elastic clips, gauge retainers, retainer seats, spiral spikes, rubber padding plates, and elevating pads. For example, 60kg/m rails use specific gauge retainers in No.6 and No.10. Note that except for installing Type B elastic clips on the 14th joint gauge retainer, Type A elastic clips are used for all other parts.
Formal Laying Procedures
Lay the gasket and rubber padding plate: Place the pad correctly so that its protruding edge tightly latches onto the sleeper's rail bearing platform to prevent movement or misalignment during subsequent use. If a 7mm-thick rubber padding plate is used, a 3mm-thick gasket should be added between the pad and the sleeper.
Install retainer seats and gauge retainers: Ensure precise installation positions in accordance with relevant regulations.
Install elastic clips, flat washers, and nuts: When tightening the nuts, control the force so that the lower chin of the middle front end of the elastic clip just contacts the gauge retainer. The torque should be maintained at 80–120 N·m. In curve sections with a radius of no more than 650m, the nuts should be tightened an additional quarter turn to keep the torque at 120–150 N·m, ensuring the fastening effect in special sections.
Height Adjustment and Spike Anchoring
If height adjustment is needed during laying, use elevating pads with a maximum allowable adjustment of 10mm. The technical conditions of elevating pads must comply with TB 1783 or TB 1784 regulations.
When anchoring spiral spikes, the distance between the bottom surface of the spike boss and the sleeper's rail bearing groove must not exceed 2mm. The deviation of the spike shaft center from the precast hole center should not exceed 2mm, and the spike skew angle must meet the standards. These measures ensure the installation accuracy of fasteners, guarantee track smoothness and stability, and lay a solid foundation for the safe and stable operation of trains.
GNEE RAIL is a professional company focusing on the international trade of railway fasteners, mainly supplying various track fasteners, connecting bolts, elastic washers and other products. We have stable production bases and a professional quality inspection team to ensure that each batch of products meets international railway industry standards.