How are rails attached to sleepers?

How are rails attached to sleepers?

 

Rails are attached to sleepers (ties) using various fastening systems like spikes, screws, clips, and bolts, often with a baseplate for wooden ties, to hold them securely, maintain gauge, absorb shock, and resist vibrations, with modern methods favoring elastic clips for concrete ties and robust bolts/screws for wood. Common types include large dog spikes for wood, chair screws, and advanced elastic clips (like E-clips) for concrete sleepers and baseplates, all designed for safety and longevity.

 

 

• Spikes (Dog Spikes): Large, chisel-shaped spikes driven into wooden sleepers, often through a baseplate, with the flat edge against the wood grain for grip, preventing the rail from moving sideways.

 

• Screws (Chair Screws): Large screws driven into wood sleepers, offering better holding power than spikes, sometimes used with washers.

 

• Fang Bolts: Inserted through sleepers with a fanged nut that bites into the bottom, providing strong resistance to loosening from vibrations, ideal for concrete ties or heavy loads.

 

• Elastic Fasteners (E-clips, Spring Spikes): Used with baseplates (tie plates) on concrete or wood sleepers, these spring clips press down on the rail, holding it firmly to the baseplate and resisting vibration.

 

 

Model	Diameter	Weight	Material
Type III	Ø18	0.80kg/pc	60Si2MnA
E1609	Ø16	0.43 kg/pc	60Si2MnA
E1809	Ø20	0.61kg/pc	60Si2MnA
E1813	Ø18	0.62kg/pc	60Si2MnA
E2001	Ø20	0.80kg/pc	60Si2MnA
E2007	Ø20	0.80kg/pc	60Si2MnA
E2009	Ø20	0.80kg/pc	60Si2MnA
E2039	Ø20	0.80kg/pc	60Si2MnA
E2055	Ø20	0.80kg/pc	60Si2MnA
E2056	Ø20	0.80kg/pc	60Si2MnA
E2063	Ø20	0.80kg/pc	60Si2MnA
PR85 Rail Clip	Ø13	0.25kg/pc	60Si2MnA
PR309A	Ø19	0.85kg/pc	60Si2MnA
PR401	Ø20	0.97kg/pc	60Si2MnA
PR415	Ø20	0.95kg/pc	60Si2MnA
PR601A	Ø20	1.03kg/pc	38Si7
SKL 1	Ø13	0.48kg/pc	60Si2CrA
SKL 3	Ø13	0.48kg/pc	60Si2CrA
SKL 12	Ø13	0.53kg/pc	38Si7
SKL 14	Ø13	0.53kg/pc	60Si2MnA
Special Rail Clip	Ø13	0.48kg/pc	60Si2MnA
Russia Rail Clip	Ø18	0.58kg/pc	60Si2MnA
Deenik Clip	Ø25	0.49-0.68kg/pc	60Si2MnA
Single Anti-	Ø20	0.25kg/pc	60Si2MnA
Theft

 

• Plastic Dowels/Inserts: Used in concrete sleepers as a foundation for screws or bolts, providing insulation and a secure anchor point.

 

How to choose the appropriate rail fastening?

 

Choosing the right rail fastening involves matching the system to the track's application (heavy haul, high-speed, metro), sleeper type (concrete, wood), and environment (corrosive, cold), focusing on requirements like strength, elasticity, vibration dampening, gauge adjustment, and low maintenance, using standards like UIC or BS for specific performance needs. Concrete sleepers typically use elastic clips, while wood sleepers use spikes, often with modern upgrades for better performance.

 

 

1. Analyze Application & Load:

 

• High-Speed Rail: Needs high stability, precision, and vibration damping (elastic fasteners, concrete sleepers).

 

• Heavy-Haul Freight: Requires maximum strength and fatigue resistance for huge loads (robust elastic systems).

 

• Metro/Intercity: Focus on frequent stops/starts, demanding durability against repeated stress cycles.

 

2. Consider the Sleeper Type:

 

• Concrete Sleepers: Ideal for elastic fasteners (e.g., SKL, Pandrol clips) with embedded sleeves for easy adjustment.

 

• Wooden Sleepers: Traditionally use spikes, but modern upgrades often involve elastic spikes or pads for better performance.

 

3. Evaluate the Environment:

 

• Corrosive Areas (Coastal): Use hot-dip galvanized fasteners with high salt spray resistance (>= 72 hrs).

 

• Cold Climates: Ensure fasteners maintain impact energy at low temperatures (e.g., >= 27J at -40°C) to prevent brittle fracture.

 

• Dusty Mines: Select fasteners with dust covers to prevent foreign matter interference.

 

GNEE RAIL offers different kinds of railway fasteners to meet client's requirements, such as Elastic Rail Clip and Clamp, Rail Screw Spike, Plastic Dowel, High Tensile Track Bolt with Nut, Rail Base(Tie) Plate, Rail Fish Plate, Railway Shoulder(Insert), Fish Bolt, Railroad Rubber and EVA Pad, etc. Samples and drawings provided by customer, we will manufacture qualified products accordingly.

 

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