In railway infrastructure, rail tie plates (or sole plates) and rail pads are essential but distinct components within the rail fastening system.
A rail tie plate is a steel plate positioned between the rail base and the railroad tie (sleeper). Its primary function is to distribute the dynamic load from the rail to the tie, reducing abrasion and preserving the tie's lifespan.
Types of rail tie plate
| Product Name | Type | Process | Material |
| Tie plate | Single Shoulder | Rolled,Forging,Casting | QT450-10,20#,35#,etc |
| Double Shoulder | |||
| Hook Twin Tie Plates | |||
| Direct Fixation Tie Plates | |||
| Other kinds of baseplate are also available according to your drawings or samples! | |||
| Technical Parameter for popular rail tie plates | |||||
| Type | Dimension | Holes | Incline | Rail | Weight(Kg) |
| Rph 1/160 | 345/285/127/160x15/13 | Ø 26 (4x) | 1:40 | S 49/S 54 | 7,86 |
| Rp 01/01/160 | 345/285/127/160x15/13 | Ø 26 (4x) | 1:40 | S 49/S 54 | 7,70 |
| Rph 1/210 | 345/285/127x210x15/13 | Ø 26 (4x) | 1:40 | S 49/S 54 | 10,55 |
| Rph 1/210 | 345/285/127x210x15/13 | Ø 36,3 (2x) | 1:40 | S 49/S 54 | 10,55 |
| Rph 1/210 FVZ | 345/285/127x210x15/13 | Ø 26 (4x) | 1:40 | S 49/S 54 | 10,69 |
| Sph 1(a) | 345/350/127x410x15/13 | Ø 26 (8x) | 1:40 | UIC 60 | 20,60 |
| Rph 6/160 | 370/310/152x160x15/13 | Ø 26 (4x) | 1:40 | UIC 60 | 8,44 |
| Rph 6/210 | 370/310/152x210x15/13 | Ø 26 (4x) | 1:40 | UIC 60 | 11,32 |
| SZ 60 | 370/350/152x420x15/13 | Ø 26 (8x) | 1:40 | UIC 60 | 22,73 |
| Rph 11 Ü | 664/554x160 | Ø 26 (4x) | 1:40 | S 54 | 15,37 |
| Rph 13 Ü | 690/570x160 | Ø 26 (4x) | 1:40 | UIC 60 | 15,27 |
| Rpo 5 | 345/285/127x160x15/13 | Ø 26 (4x) | 1:20 | S 49/S54 | 8 |
Conversely, a rail pad is an elastic material pad, often made from rubber or polyurethane, placed between the rail base and the tie plate or directly under the baseplate on concrete sleepers. Its main role is to provide cushioning, vibration damping, and electrical insulation.
| Item Name | Railway Pad | ||
| Application | UIC54, UIC60, BS80lbs,BS100lbs, or as per sample/drawing requirement | ||
| Material | HDPE | EVA | Rubber |
| Technical | Density: 0.95-0.98g/cm3 | Density:0.95-0.98gcm3 | Hardness:75±5A |
| Parameter | Tensile strength: ≥19Mpa Elongation: >80% Melting point: 170-190°C Insulation resistance: ≥1×1010Ω Hardness:≥98A |
Tensile strength:≥15Mpa Elongation: >500% Melting point: 170-190°C Insulation resistance:≥1×1010Ω Hardness: ≥90A |
Hardness:75±5A Tensile strength: ≥12.5N/mm² Operating temperature:-25°C~100°C |
| Color | Dark Black | ||
Grooved Rubber Rail Pads
| Specifications of Grooved Rubber Rail Pads | |
| Drg No | 6mm GRSP-RDSO-RT-3073,RT-3711,RT-4107,RT-4218 60kg Rials 1 in to 12,RT-4865 60kg Rials 1 in 8.5,RT- 198-6203 and RT-6204 etc.. |
| Standard | RDSO |
| Shape | rectangular |
| Application | Industrial |
| Hardness | 75~85 shores A |
| Material | Rubber |
| Minimum Order Quantity | 2500 Piece |
The critical difference lies in their function: the tie plate is a load-distributing and alignment component, while the rail pad is primarily for shock absorption and insulation. Both work in tandem with other rail fasteners like clip fasteners, rail anchors, and insulated rail joints to form a complete, secure, and resilient track system.