As an important part of railway track connection, the gusset-type railway fastener system has played a key role in the development of railways. Understanding its characteristics is of great significance to understanding the structure of railway tracks and ensuring the safety of railway operation.
The gusset-type railway fastener system is mainly composed of gussets, threaded spikes, gauge baffles, elastic rubber pads and other components. The threaded spikes are pre-anchored in the sleepers, and the gussets are tightly buckled on both sides of the rail bottom through the bent feet at the bottom. The tension generated by tightening the bolts on the gussets is used to firmly fix the rails on the sleepers. The gauge baffle is used to adjust the gauge, and the elastic rubber pad can effectively buffer the vibration and impact force generated by the train running, reducing the wear between the rails and the sleepers. The various components work together to ensure that the rails remain stable under the load of the train.
The gusset-type railway fastener system has a relatively simple structure, low cost, and is easy to install and disassemble. It is widely used in early railway construction. However, it also has certain limitations. Compared with modern new fastener systems, the elasticity of the gusset type is relatively poor, and the adaptability to high-frequency vibration and dynamic loads generated by train operation is weak. After long-term use, the fastening force of the fastener is easy to decay, and more frequent maintenance and adjustment are required.
The system was mostly used in ordinary railways in the early days, especially for lines with high cost control requirements and relatively low train speeds and axle weights. With the development of railway technology, high-speed railways and heavy-duty railways have put forward higher requirements for track stability, elasticity and durability. The gusset-type railway fastener system has gradually been replaced by new fastener systems such as spring bars with better performance. However, in the process of upgrading some existing ordinary railway lines, if the line conditions are suitable and the cost is limited, the gusset-type system may still be retained or selected for local repair and maintenance.
