A rail fish plate is a structural joint component designed to align and secure adjacent rail segments so that vertical loads, lateral forces, and longitudinal stresses are transferred smoothly across the joint without excessive stress concentration.
GNEE RAIL offers fish plates suitable for light rail, heavy rail, and crane rail applications, covering GB standards, UIC profiles, DIN536 and QU crane rails, JIS rails, AS1085 sections, BS11 models, and AREMA/ASCE rails, with coordinated shipment of rails and joints for integrated supply.
What are the advantages of using fish plates?
Fish plates (or joint bars) are essential railway components that connect rail ends, ensuring track continuity, stability, and safety by holding rails in vertical and horizontal alignment. Key advantages include distributing wheel loads to prevent track distortion, allowing for heat expansion, and facilitating quick repairs while maintaining structural integrity.
Key Advantages of Fish Plates:
- Structural Integrity: They securely join rails, maintaining the alignment, level, and gauge of the track.
- Load Distribution: They help distribute the heavy weight of trains, reducing stress on individual rails and supporting smooth passage.
- Thermal Management: Fish plates allow for necessary movement due to thermal expansion and contraction, preventing buckling.
- Safety and Stability: By preventing rail separation or misalignment, they play a crucial role in preventing derailments.
- Maintenance Efficiency: They facilitate easier, faster installation and repair of rail joints compared to, or in conjunction with, welding.
- Electrical Insulation: Specially designed insulated fish plates (e.g., glued joints) prevent electrical leakage and ensure proper signaling operation.
What are the dimensions of the rail joint bar?
Rail joint bars (or fishplates), used to connect rail ends, typically measure 24 inches (4-hole) for smaller sections or 36 inches (6-hole) for larger AREMA sections (115RE-136RE), with heights often around 5-1/16 inches. Common types include 4-hole (24") and 6-hole (36") options for joining rails, such as the 115RE, 132RE, and 136RE, which weigh between 17.04kg and 26.63kg.
| Standard | Type | Length/Diameter | Weight /Material | |
| AREMA 2007 | 115RE | 4 hole-24" | 17.04Kg | 45# chemical |
| 115RE | 6 hole-36" | 25.56Kg | composition(%): | |
| 132-136RE | 4 hole-24" | 17.75Kg | C: 0.42-0.50 | |
| 132-136RE | 6 hole-36" | 26.63Kg | Mn: 0.50-0.80 | |
| UIC864 | UIC60 | 4 hole-630/Φ26 | 18.07Kg | Si: 0.17-0.37 |
| UIC60 | 4 hole-600/Φ28 | 17.47Kg | Cr: ≤0.25 | |
| UIC60 | 4 hole-630/Φ25 | 18.1Kg | P: ≤0.035 | |
| UIC54 | 4 hole | 14.34Kg | S: ≤0.035 | |
| UIC54 | 6 hole-800 | 19.94Kg | ||
| BS 47-1 | BS75R | 4 hole | 6.56Kg | |
| BS60A | 4 hole | 5.61Kg | ||
| BS80A | 4 hole | 6.5Kg | ||
| BS90A | 685.8/Φ26 | 13.23Kg | 50# chemical | |
| BS90A | 792.9/Φ26.2 | 15.34Kg | composition(%): | |
| BS100A | 4 hole | C: 0.62-0.70 | ||
| 90/91LB | 4 hole | 18.08Kg | Mn: 0.50-0.80 | |
| 90/91LB | 6 hole | 19.9Kg | Si: 0.17-0.37 | |
| AS | 50kg | 4 hole | 14.3Kg | Cr: ≤0.25 |
| 50kg | 6 hole | 19.5Kg | P: ≤0.035 | |
| S49 | 4 hole | 9.71Kg | S: ≤0.035 | |
| Fishplate For Chinese Standard Steel Rail | |||
| GB15KG | 15.2 | YB226-63 | Q235,45# |
| GB18KG | 18.06 | YB225-63 | |
| GB22KG | 22.3 | YB14-63 | |
| GB24KG | 24.46 | ||
| GB30KG | 30.1 | YB351-63 | |
| GB38KG | 38.733 | TB/T 2345-2008 | 45#,55# |
| GB43KG | 44.653 | ||
| GB50KG | 51.514 | ||
What is the material of the railroad fish plate?
Railroad fish plates (also known as joint bars or track splicing plates) are primarily manufactured from high-quality hot-rolled carbon steel, ranging from medium to high carbon content to ensure durability and strength. Common materials include Q235 steel, high-tensile steel, or, in specialized cases, insulated steel and composite materials to prevent electrical conduction.
| Material Type | Typical Grade / Designation | Chemical Composition (wt%) | Notes / Equivalent Standards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Structural Steel | Q235 (GB/T 700) | C: ≤0.22 Si: ≤0.35 Mn: 0.30-0.65 P: ≤0.045 S: ≤0.045 |
Common mild steel for general joint bars. Similar to ASTM A36, S235JR. |
| Carbon Structural Steel | Q255 (GB/T 700) | C: 0.18-0.28 Si: ≤0.35 Mn: 0.40-0.70 P: ≤0.045 S: ≤0.045 |
Slightly higher strength than Q235. |
| Medium Carbon Steel | 50Mn / 50BA (GOST 10779) | C: 0.47-0.55 Si: 0.17-0.37 Mn: 0.80-1.20 P: ≤0.040 S: ≤0.045 |
Classic high-strength fish plate steel. Widely used for mainline joints. |
| Medium Carbon Steel | 55# (GB/T 699) | C: 0.52-0.60 Si: 0.17-0.37 Mn: 0.50-0.80 P: ≤0.035 S: ≤0.035 |
Standard medium carbon steel for demanding applications. Similar to AISI 1055. |
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.