E Clip Fastening System Installation
Installing an E-clip fastening system on wood sleepers involves several steps to ensure proper alignment and secure attachment of the rail to the sleeper. Here's a guide to the installation process:
Prepare the Wood Sleeper: Ensure that the wood sleeper is new or freshly adzed and positioned correctly along the track alignment.
Position Tie Plate: Place the rolled steel tie plate on the wood sleeper, ensuring that it is centered and positioned with the taller, raised heel seat facing towards the field side of the plate. The plate should be canted so that the cant runs towards the center of the tie.
Drill Pilot Holes: Drill pilot holes for the screw spikes through the tie plate and into the wood sleeper. For a P 15/16" screw spike, the hole should be 3/4" in diameter and six inches deep from the top of the tie plate.
Fasten Tie Plate: Install the screw spikes through the tie plate and into the wood sleeper, ensuring that the plate fasteners are fully driven down and the tie plate is tight against the sleeper.
Install E-Series Clips: Place the E-2055 rail clips onto the rail foot from the right-hand side of the tie plate, with the "toe" or open end of the clip facing towards the foot of the rail.
Start E-Series Clips: Begin installing the E-series clips by hand or with a few taps from a sledgehammer. Drive the clip until there is approximately a 3/8" gap between the edge of the tie plate and the inner edge of the rear arch of the clip.
Mechanical Installation: Alternatively, the E-2055 clips can be mechanically installed using specialized equipment designed for this purpose.
Visual Inspection: Perform a visual check to ensure that all components are properly installed and secured, with the tie plate tight against the wood sleeper.