FAQ About Railway Elastic Clips

The role of the elastic rail clip

Elastic railway clips are made of forged spring steel and are one of the most common railway fasteners in the rail fastening system. They are used together with other components - rail spikes, tie plates, rail pads and plastic dowels - to fasten the railway sleeper and the steel rail together. The clip is considered one of the best ways to ensure that the steel rail does not move, bend, warp or lose gauge, because its elastic clamping force keeps working under vibration and temperature change.

What types of rail clips are there?

Rail clips secure rails to sleepers and are produced in several families matched to different fastening systems and track standards:

Clip family	Typical designations	Material
E-clip (E-type elastic rail clip)	E1609, E1809, E1817, E2001, E2006, E2009, E2055, E2056	60Si2Mn, 60Si2CrA, 50Si7
Tension clip for studded fastening systems	Type 12, Type 14, Type 75 (W-type geometry)	60Si2Mn, 60Si2CrA, 38Si7
Blade-type elastic clip	PR-style and gauge-lock patterns	60Si2Mn, 60Si2CrA
Heavy-section clip	Omega-style double-arm clip	Spring steel
Drive-on spring anchor clips	Studded-system clips for Chile-profile railways, e.g. 9116, 9120, 9216, 9220	Q235 carbon steel
Crane rail clip	Heavy-section clamp for crane rails	Q345

Various types of shoulder assemblies are available, and other configurations can be produced on request. Clips are selected by the fastening system, the rail profile and the required toe load.

What materials are used to manufacture rail clips?

Rail clips are made from spring steel or alloy spring steel, selected for durability against the wear and tear of railway operation and varying weather conditions. Common grades and their chemical compositions:

Grade	Chemical composition (%)
60Si2MnA	C 0.56-0.64, Mn 0.60-0.90, Si 1.60-2.00, Cr ≤0.35, P ≤0.03, S ≤0.03
60Si2CrA	C 0.56-0.64, Mn 0.40-0.70, Si 1.40-1.80, Cr 0.70-1.00, P ≤0.03, S ≤0.03
55Si2Mn	C 0.52-0.60, Mn 0.60-0.90, Si 1.50-2.00, Cr ≤0.35, P ≤0.03, S ≤0.03
38Si7	C 0.35-0.42, Mn 0.50-0.80, Si 1.50-1.80, P ≤0.03, S ≤0.03

How often should rail clips be inspected?

Inspection schedules vary with traffic, line speed and environment, but a practical rule is a visual check every six to twelve months, with more frequent checks on heavy-haul lines, sharp curves and lines with a history of clip failures. Inspections look for cracks, corrosion, loss of toe load and clips that have worked loose from the shoulder. Clips showing permanent set, cracks or severe corrosion are replaced.

Can rail clips be reused after removal?

Generally no. Clips that have been removed may be deformed or weakened during installation or service. The elastic properties that define the toe load may no longer be within specification, so replacing removed clips is the safe practice to guarantee performance and safety on the track.

What does a clip actually do?

Secure fastening: clamps the rail to the sleeper or baseplate, creating a strong connection.

Movement prevention: stops vertical, lateral and longitudinal shifts of the rail, maintaining the critical track gauge.

Shock and vibration absorption: the spring steel absorbs energy from passing trains, reducing impact, noise and wear.

Track integrity: keeps the rail a continuous, stable structure, reducing the risk of derailment.

Clamping force: generates significant pressure through elastic deformation to hold everything tightly.

Corrosion protection options

Surface protection is matched to the environment: plain oiled for dry inland service, zinc plated for moderate humidity, hot dip galvanized or zinc flake coating for coastal, tunnel and saline environments, and painting where specified. Correct surface treatment is essential because corrosion reduces the effective section of the clip and can cause fatigue failure.

Frequently asked questions

How is clip hardness controlled?

Clips are hardened and tempered to a controlled band, commonly HRC 42-47, and hardness is verified on production batches. This balances resistance to installation damage against long-term clamping-force stability.

What toe load do clips provide?

Toe load is defined by the clip and shoulder geometry. Common E-series clips deliver roughly 9-11 kN; the exact value is stated on the system drawing and verified by type testing.

Do clips need lubrication?

No. Elastic clips work by dry elastic deformation and need no lubrication. Greasing can trap abrasive grit and is not part of standard practice.

How are clips removed for maintenance?

With a clip remover tool that levers the clip off the shoulder; the clip should be withdrawn along its axis to avoid over-straining the spring arms.

What is the typical service life of a clip?

With correct material, heat treatment and corrosion protection, clips last for decades in normal service; replacement is driven by inspection findings rather than a fixed age.