A rail fish plate is a precision-machined connector that stabilizes rail ends, controls joint geometry, and distributes wheel loads evenly across the joint section, reducing stress concentration and vibration. It is indispensable where continuous welded rail is not feasible. GNEE RAIL offers fish plates for GB light and heavy rails, UIC profiles, DIN536 crane rails, QU crane rails, JIS standard rails, AS1085 rails, BS11 sections, and AREMA/ASCE rails, with services including joint design matching and project supply management.
Weight of Railway Fish Plate
Railway fish plates, also known as splice bars, vary in weight based on rail type, ranging from approximately 5 kg to over 29 kg per plate for standard tracks, with common heavy rail (52 kg/60 kg) plates typically weighing between 15 kg and 25 kg each. These high-strength steel components are used in pairs, with 4-6 holes for bolting.
Common Fish Plate Weights by Rail Type
- Light Rail (8 kg - 30 kg): Generally lower weight, suitable for light industrial or mine tracks.
- Heavy Rail (38 kg - 75 kg): Typically weighs 15-28 kg per plate, with 60 kg rails often requiring plates around 17-25 kg each.
| 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 | ||
Specific Examples:
- 52 kg Fish Plate: Approx. 52 kg (likely per set/unit mentioned, though standard 52kg UIC plates are lighter, around 15-20kg).
- 60 kg Fish Plate: Around 17.47 kg - 18.1 kg.
- UIC54 Fish Plate: Approx. 14.34 kg - 19.94 kg.
- BS80A Fish Plate: 17.04 kg (4-hole) to 25.56 kg (6-hole).
- High-strength plates: Can exceed 29 kg per unit.
| 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 | |
How to select the appropriate rail joint specifications?
Selecting appropriate rail joint specifications requires matching the joint bars to the rail profile (e.g., 60kg/m, 50kg/m, 115RE, 136RE) while ensuring they meet strict strength, stiffness, and structural integrity requirements. Key considerations include providing sufficient expansion/contraction gaps (approx. 18mm max) for temperature changes, selecting between glued (for continuous welded rail) or conventional bolted joints, and ensuring proper bolt hole alignment for uniform load distribution.
Key Factors for Selecting Rail Joint Specifications:
Rail Profile and Weight: Match the joint bar (fishplate) specifically to the rail type (e.g., 38kg, 43kg, 50kg, 60kg, 75kg for heavy rail, or specific RE sections like 115RE, 132RE, 136RE) to ensure a precise fit.
Joint Type and Functionality:
- Insulated Joints (GIRs): Essential for signaling in electrified tracks; require high-strength, insulated materials (e.g., glass fiber-reinforced epoxy).
- Glued Insulated Joints: Preferred for modern long-welded rails (CWR) to maintain insulation and strength.
- Transition/Compromise Joints: Used to connect different sizes of rail (e.g., 60kg to 50kg).
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.