What is a rail joint?
Jan 28, 2026
What is a rail joint?
A rail joint is a mechanical connection used to link two adjacent rail ends together so that they function as a continuous track section and allow train wheels to pass smoothly from one rail to the next. It is installed at the gap between rail ends and is designed to maintain alignment, gauge, and load transfer continuity while accommodating limited movement caused by temperature changes and operational forces.
GNEE RAIL supplies fish plates matched with rail standards including GB, UIC, EN, DIN, JIS, AS, BS, and AREMA/ASCE, covering light rail, heavy rail, and crane rail sections, together with rail drilling, joint machining, and fastening system supply.
- Structurally, a rail joint works by clamping the rail ends together with joint bars (also called fish plates) on both sides of the rail web, secured by high-strength rail bolts and nuts. These joint bars align the rail head and foot, helping to keep the running surface level and reducing impact loads when wheels cross the joint. Although welded rails are now widely used, rail joints are still necessary in many situations such as turnouts, bridges, temporary tracks, mining railways, and locations where rail replacement or thermal movement must be accommodated.
- Functionally, rail joints serve several purposes within the track system. They transfer vertical wheel loads and lateral forces across the rail gap so that stress is not concentrated at the rail ends. They also help maintain correct track geometry, including gauge and straightness, by preventing rail ends from shifting independently. In jointed track, rail joints additionally allow controlled longitudinal expansion and contraction of rails due to temperature variation, reducing the risk of buckling or tensile fracture.
There are different forms of rail joints depending on performance requirements. Traditional bolted joints are commonly used on light rail, mining rail, and temporary tracks. For higher-speed or heavier-load lines, compromise joints are applied to connect rails of different sections, and insulated joints are used where electrical separation is required for signaling systems. In modern heavy-haul and high-speed railways, most mainline tracks adopt continuous welded rail (CWR) to eliminate joints over long distances, but joints are still unavoidable at special trackwork and maintenance interfaces.
| No. | Type | Material | Unit weight(kg/pc) | Remark |
| 1 | 136RE-115RE | 55# | 27.5 | 4pcs per set |
| 2 | 136RE-132RE | 55# | 26.7 | 2pcs per set |
| 3 | 141RE-136RE | 55# | 26.7 | 2pcs per set |
| 4 | 141RE-132RE | 55# | 26.7 | 2pcs per set |
| 5 | 100-8 of 1/8〞vertical off | 55# | 15.6 | 2pcs per set |
| 6 | 100-8 of 3/8〞vertical off | 55# | 15.6 | 2pcs per set |
| 7 | UIC60-P50 | 55# | 23 | 2pcs per set |
| 8 | BS80A-115RE | 55# | 20 | 2pcs per set |
| 9 | UIC60 thermit welded joint | 55# | 18 | 2pcs per set |
| Material and bar length can be customized upon buyer request. | ||||
Founded in 2008, GNEE RAIL is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of railway components, specializing in high-quality rail fish plates (joint bars/splice bars) with strong production capacity and global service capabilities.
Our rail fish plate portfolio is comprehensive and compliant with international standards including UIC, AREMA, BS, DIN, and GB, covering light rail (8kg-30kg), heavy rail (38kg-75kg), and crane rail (QU70-QU120) systems. We offer diverse types such as insulated joint bars, bulged fish plates, and compromise rail joints,with precise specifications (4-hole/6-hole, 24-inch/36-inch), ensuring excellent mechanical performance.We uphold strict quality control supported by ISO 9001:2015 certification, an in-house inspection center, and third-party audits by SGS and BV. Our one-stop service includes customization, production, packaging, and after-sales support, tailored to clients' project needs.
