How do rail clips work?

Rail clip, or elastic rail clip, is used to secure the rail to the underlying tie plate. By bending and deforming, the rail clamps can exert pressure on the rails to prevent longitudinal movement of the rail due to temperature changes and vibrations. Usually, the track clip is made of spring steel processed by hot forging method. With the most uniform microstructure, forged rail clips are considered better than other metal forming processes.

How do rail clips work?

Rail clips work by using spring steel's elasticity to clamp rails onto baseplates, creating constant downward pressure that prevents vertical/horizontal movement, maintains track gauge, absorbs vibrations, and handles thermal expansion, ensuring a stable and safe track by deforming under load and snapping back, providing a secure, low-maintenance fastening system.

How they function:

• Clamping Action: Made from forged spring steel, clips are installed to bend and deform, pressing down on the rail's foot and holding it firmly against the baseplate.

• Elasticity: Their design allows them to absorb impact and vibration from passing trains through repeated bending, then return to their original shape, preventing loosening.

• Load Distribution: This clamping force evenly distributes the train's weight and forces across the track system, reducing wear and tear.

• Stability: They prevent the rail from shifting horizontally (track gauge) and vertically (lifting), maintaining precise track alignment for safe travel.

• Thermal Expansion: The slight give in the clips accommodates the expansion and contraction of rails due to temperature changes, preventing buckling.

• Secure Fastening: The clips work with other components like baseplates, sleepers (ties), and bolts to create a robust fastening system, often requiring minimal adjustment over their long lifespan.

Types of rail clip

• According to specific situation and habit, various countries adopts different standard of rail clips to apply for development of railway. Typically, the Pandrol series of rail clip is the most famous brand among rail clip types. PR- clip, E-clip are widely separated to America, Canada, India and other countries.

• In German, HM-type rail fastening system is very popular, it adopts SKL-clip. Based on the good effect, it is applied to a lot of countries and regions.

• Dutch DE type railway fastening system and FIST rail fastening system all adopt rail clips, they all have good application.

• Japan and France adopts clips as rail fastening system, Nabla rail fastening system and 102 type fastening system are hot on the market.

GNEE RAIL as the largest rail clip and clamp production base in China, which has been qualified to tender medium and large scaled railway projects. In addition, GNEE RAIL is approved elastic rail clip manufacturer by China's Railway Ministry and has been ISO9001-2008 certified. Our rail clip product is ideal for rail track assembly for advantages of easy fitment while track laying; economical maintenance; long durability and lifespan; fast replacement.

Click here to obtain the detailed product catalog of GNEE RAIL.