A rail fish plate is a pair of steel joint bars bolted to both sides of adjacent rail ends, forming a rigid mechanical connection that maintains rail alignment, preserves track gauge, and transfers wheel loads across the joint without creating vertical or lateral steps. It ensures continuity of the rail line where welded rails are not used.
GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAY supplies fish plates matched to GB light rails 8–30 kg/m, heavy rails 38–60 kg/m, UIC50/54/60, DIN536 A55–A120 crane rails, QU70/80/100/120, JIS 15KG–CR100, AS1085 31–89 kg, BS11:1985, and AREMA/ASCE 25–175 lb, with drilling accuracy control and installation support.
Types of fish plate in railway
Railway fish plates (joint bars) connect rail ends to maintain continuity, commonly classified by function into standard, insulated, compromise, and joggled types. Key types include standard for identical rails, insulated for signaling, compromise for different rail sizes, and joggled for emergency repair, often featuring 4-6 holes.
| Joint Type | Key Specification / Description |
|---|---|
| Standard Rail Joint (Fish Plate) | - Profile: Matches the rail section (e.g., UIC 60, 136RE). - Length: Typically 600mm or 800mm per side. - Holes: 4 or 6 bolt holes per bar. |
| Insulated Rail Joint (IRJ) | - Material: Steel core with composite insulating end-posts/plates, or full epoxy composite. - Electrical Resistance: >10⁸ Ω. |
| Compromise Rail Joint | - Design: Connects two different rail profiles (e.g., UIC 54 to UIC 60). - Profile: Each side is machined to match its respective rail section. |
| Joggled Rail Joint | - Feature: Has a depressed (joggled) section to allow continuous rail head surface for smoother wheel passage. |
| Bridge Rail Joint | - Design: Often reinforced (thicker web/longer length) for high-stress locations like bridge approaches. |
| Glued Insulated Joint | - Construction: Steel bars bonded to composite insulation using high-strength adhesive for improved durability. |
| Welded Rail Joint (for CWR) | - Type: Flash-butt or thermite weld. - Specification: Weld must meet mechanical properties equal to or greater than the parent rail. |
| Expansion Joint (for BRE) | - Feature: Allows controlled thermal expansion in long rails on bridges or in extreme temperature zones. |
What is the role of rail fish plates in railways?
Rail fish plates (also known as splice bars, joint bars, or rail joints) are metal bars bolted to the web of two connecting rail ends to secure them in both horizontal and vertical planes. They maintain structural integrity, ensure proper alignment/level of the tracks, transfer wheel loads, and reduce rail deflection, crucial for smooth and safe train operations.
Key Functions and Usage Examples:
- Structural Connection: Joins two rail ends together, preventing them from drifting apart.
- Load Distribution: Transfers the weight of train wheels from one rail to the next, reducing impact.
- Alignment Maintenance: Holds rail ends in precise position, maintaining the rail top table and gauge face.
- Types: Used in bolted joints for conventional tracks, compromised joints for different rail sections, and insulated joints for signaling systems.
What are the characteristics of a rail joint bar?
A rail joint bar (or fishplate) is a high-strength steel component that connects rail ends, ensuring track continuity, stability, and proper alignment while allowing for thermal expansion. Key characteristics include high resistance to fatigue, wear, and bending, often designed to match the stiffness of the rail itself, with features like bolt holes for secure attachment and, in some cases, insulated or high-clearance designs.
Key Characteristics of Rail Joint Bars
- Structural Integrity: Designed to withstand heavy loads, prevent lateral or vertical movement of rail ends, and minimize wear at the joints.
- Material Strength: Typically manufactured from high-strength steel (e.g., carbon steel) to resist fatigue, shear, and impact stresses.
- Functionality: Enables thermal expansion and contraction of rails to prevent buckling.
- Design Variations: Includes joint bars for different rail sizes (38kg, 50kg, 75kg, etc.), insulated joints for signaling, and compromise joints for connecting different rail profiles.
- Surface Treatment: Often treated with anti-rust oil, black oxide, or hot-dip galvanizing for corrosion resistance.
- Quality Standards: Adheres to standards such as AREMA, BS, UIC, JIS, and DIN.
Founded in 2008, GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAY 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.