What are the fixtures and fastening in railway?

Rail fasteners are track system connectors that ensure positional accuracy of rails during continuous operation, controlling vibration transmission and maintaining consistent wheel-rail interaction. Their role is not only mechanical fixing but also dynamic load management. GNEE RAIL supplies fastening systems compatible with rails under GB, EN, UIC, DIN, JIS, AS, and AREMA standards.

 

What are the fixtures and fastening in railway?

 

Railway fixtures and fastenings are essential, specialized hardware components-such as fish plates, spikes, clips, and bearing plates-used to join rail ends together and secure them firmly to sleepers (ties). These components maintain precise track gauge, alignment, and structural integrity, while also absorbing vibrations and allowing for thermal expansion.

 

Key Fixtures and Fastenings in Railway

 

 

• Fish Plates (Joint Bars): Connect rail ends to one another, maintaining continuity and facilitating expansion/contraction.

 

• Spikes & Bolts: Secure rails, chairs, and plates to sleepers, including dog spikes, screw spikes, and fang bolts.

 

• Rail Anchors/Anticreepers: Prevent longitudinal movement (creep) of rails.

 

• Bearing Plates & Chairs: Distribute vertical loads from rails to sleepers and prevent the rail from cutting into sleepers.

 

• Elastic Clips (e.g., E-type, SKL): Provide flexible, high-strength fastening for modern, heavy-haul, or high-speed tracks.

 

 

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

 

• Rubber Pads: Placed under rails to reduce noise, vibrations, and impact.

 

What is the primary purpose of rail fixing?

 

The primary purpose of rail fixing (or rail fastening systems) is to securely attach rails to sleepers or ties, maintaining the proper gauge, alignment, and vertical slope 1:20 or 1:40 for safe train operation. They prevent longitudinal, vertical, and lateral movements, absorb vibration and noise, and transfer loads to the infrastructure.

 

 

• Maintaining Gauge and Stability: Ensures rails remain at a fixed, consistent distance apart to prevent derailments.

 

• Preventing Longitudinal Movement: Rail anchors/fasteners prevent rails from creeping or moving along the track due to thermal expansion or braking forces.

 

• Load Distribution: Distributes the immense weight of trains evenly across sleepers and ballast.

 

• Noise/Vibration Dampening: Provides elasticity to reduce impact noise and vibration.

 

What is the working principle of rail elastic fasteners?

 

Rail elastic fasteners work by utilizing the elastic deformation of steel clips (spring bars) to generate a constant clamping force, securing the rail to the sleeper while absorbing vertical/lateral vibrations. They prevent rail movement, maintain gauge, and reduce fatigue damage through material elasticity and, in some cases, bolt-based preload.

 

• Elastic Deformation: The core principle is that the clip (e.g., E-type, SKL-type) is bent during installation, generating a persistent downward pressure on the rail foot.

 

• Load Distribution: When a train passes, the fastener absorbs dynamic loads (vibration, impact, vertical pressure) through the spring action of the clip, preventing loosening.

 

 

• Resistance Generation: These fasteners, often used in combinations, create friction between the rail and the sleeper, preventing longitudinal, vertical, and horizontal movement.

 

• Component Cooperation: They typically include a plastic rail pad (providing insulation and cushioning) and the steel clip (providing fastening force).

 

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. We also deal with Steel Rail, Sleeper, Auto Bolt and other customized parts.

 

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