Standard railway joint bars are designed to connect two rails of identical weight and section. They typically measure 24 inches in length and have 4-bolt holes for smaller rail sections. In cases of larger rail sections, they extend to 36 inches in length and feature 6-bolt holes. Alternate holes are elliptical in punching to accommodate oval-necked track bolts. Temporary joints in continuously welded rail (CWR) installations necessitate the use of the 36-inch bars. This allows for drilling of only the two outside holes, ensuring compliance with the FRA Track Safety Standards, which mandate a minimum of two bolts at each end of any joint in CWR.
