A rail fish plate is a joint coupling component that ensures precise geometric alignment of adjacent rail ends while transferring bending moments, vertical wheel forces, and lateral loads across the joint interface. Without fish plates, jointed track cannot maintain safe running geometry.
GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAY manufactures fish plates for light rail, heavy rail, and crane rail systems under GB, UIC, DIN536, QU, JIS, AS1085, BS11, and AREMA/ASCE standards, and provides rail profile confirmation and matching inspection before shipment.
What is an insulated rail joint?
An insulated rail joint (IRJ) is a specialized track component that connects two rail ends while electrically isolating them from each other to manage signaling, track circuits, and broken rail detection. They are crucial for creating separate, self-contained track blocks for train detection systems. IRJs use insulation materials like plastic or nylon on joints, bolts, and between rail ends to prevent electrical flow, often strengthening the junction with, for example, glued fishplates for improved durability.
What is the purpose of an insulated rail joint?
Insulated rail joints (IRJs) are used to electrically isolate adjacent rail sections, creating distinct, self-contained track circuit blocks crucial for signaling and detecting train presence. They prevent electrical currents from flowing between rail segments, ensuring safety, accurate train positioning, and proper function of automated control systems.
Key aspects and purposes include:
- Signaling & Train Detection: IRJs are essential for creating insulated track blocks that detect if a section is occupied, preventing collisions.
- Electrical Insulation: They stop electric current, particularly for automatic block signaling and cathodic protection, from bypassing to adjacent tracks.
- Component Safety: IRJs are often placed at turnouts, crossovers, and on both sides of a block to prevent shorting, ensuring high reliability in all climates.
- Structural Support: They maintain the structural integrity of track joints while providing insulation.
Size of Rail Joint bar
Rail joint bars (fishplates) connect rail ends, with sizes tailored to rail weight and hole configuration. Standard sizes include 24-inch (4-hole) for smaller sections and 36-inch (6-hole) for heavy-duty rails. Common types are 115RE-141RE and 132-136RE, made from high-strength carbon or alloy steel. Lengths are typically 24'' or 36''.
| 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 | |
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.