What is an ideal or perfect rail joint?
Dec 31, 2025
Rail joint is a kind of railroad fasteners and plays important role in connecting the steel rail together with the help of fish bolt. There are many types and different standard rail joints according to various uses. GNEE RAIL can provide you with different rail joints such as GB, AREMA, BS, UIC, AS, African standard, South American standard, and different types such as common rail joint, compromise rail joint, bulge rail joint, insulated rail joint and glued insulated rail joint, etc.
What is an ideal or perfect rail joint?
An ideal rail joint acts as if it isn't there, providing seamless continuity, strength, and stiffness equal to the rail itself, while allowing for thermal expansion, easy maintenance, and preventing rail-end batter for a smooth, safe ride, often achieved through welding (Continuous Welded Rail) or advanced insulated joints that mimic rail properties.
Key Characteristics of an Ideal Rail Joint:
- Strength & Stiffness: Must match the parent rail to handle immense loads and impacts without breaking or deflecting.
- Continuity & Alignment: Holds rail ends perfectly in line horizontally and vertically, preventing wheel "hop" or deviation.
- Elasticity: Needs to be flexible enough to absorb vibrations and forces like the rest of the track, reducing impact.
- Thermal Movement: Provides necessary space (or flexibility) for rails to expand and contract with temperature changes.
- No Rail-End Wear: Prevents battering (flattening) of rail ends, which is a major issue with traditional joints.
- Ease of Maintenance: Allows for quick removal, replacement, or adjustment without disrupting the entire line.
- Economical: Low initial cost and minimal, cost-effective maintenance.
Types of Fish Plates
Several types of fish plates are employed in railway installations to address various needs and rail types. Common variations include standard fish plates, which are used for general applications. Compromise fish plates are designed to join rails of different sizes or profiles and are essential for transitional sections of a track. Insulated fish plates, on the other hand, prevent electrical currents from passing between joined rail ends, playing a pivotal role in track signaling and control systems. Lastly, the specialized fish plates are used in heavy-duty railways to withstand high loads and extreme conditions, thereby enhancing the longevity and reliability of the rail infrastructure.
GNEE RAIL can provide one-stop service for various rail joints including development, manufacture and export service. More than 50 types of standard and nonstandard fishplate DIES supplied.
All the fish plates provided by GNEE RAIL meet the international standard requirements, including BS, UIC, GB, AREMA and DIN, etc. In addition, customized products can be provided with customer's specific requirements.Our technical team has rich experience of the design and production of customized kinds of Chinese and foreign rail joints, and we can also make necessary adjustments and modifications.
GNEE RAIL can produce rail joint as below:
| Rail Type | Standard Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Thickness (mm) | Hole Diameter (mm) | Hole Spacing (mm) | Bolt Size | Material Options | Surface Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43kg Rail Fishplate | 800 | 65 | 16 | 22 | 90/105 | M22 | Carbon Steel / Alloy Steel | Oiled / Galvanized / Painted |
| 50kg Rail Fishplate | 800 | 65 | 20 | 24 | 100/120 | M24 | Carbon Steel / Alloy Steel | Oiled / Galvanized / Painted |
| 60kg Rail Fishplate | 860 | 70 | 20 | 24 | 100/120 | M24 | Carbon Steel / Alloy Steel | Oiled / Galvanized / Painted |
| QU70 Crane Rail Fishplate | 760 | 70 | 20 | 24 | 90/105 | M24 | Carbon Steel / Alloy Steel | Oiled / Galvanized / Painted |
| QU80 Crane Rail Fishplate | 820 | 75 | 20 | 24 | 100/120 | M24 | Carbon Steel / Alloy Steel | Oiled / Galvanized / Painted |
| QU100 Crane Rail Fishplate | 950 | 80 | 22 | 26 | 105/125 | M27 | Carbon Steel / Alloy Steel | Oiled / Galvanized / Painted |
| QU120 Crane Rail Fishplate | 1050 | 85 | 26 | 26 | 110/130 | M27 | Carbon Steel / Alloy Steel | Oiled / Galvanized / Painted |
| Model | Material | Standard | Unit weight | Surface Treatment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SJ50 rail joint | 50# | 11.59kg/pc | Plain | ||
| SJ43 Rail Joint | 50# | 10.16kg/pc | Plain | ||
| TJ57 Rail Joint | 45# | 17.36kg/pc | Plain | ||
| S30 Rail Joint | 50# | 5.8kg/pc | Plain, or according to the customers' demand | ||
| CR135 Rail Joint (used in CR135 Crane Rail) | 50# | ASTM-43 | Plain, or Hot-dip galvanized |
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| CR171 Rail Joint (used in CR171 Crane Rail) | 50# | ASTM-43 | 16.0kg/pc | Plain, or Hot-dip galvanized |
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| S49 Forged Rail Joint |
Q345 | UIC49 | 8.60kg/pc | Sandblasted +oiled | |
| S60 Forged Rail Joint |
Q345 | UIC60 | 14.50kg/pc | Sandblasted +oiled |
GNEE RAIL specializes in manufacturing railway accessories. As an ISO certified company, we have a large selection of track accessories and tools to fit your needs: Steel Rail, Rail Clip, Fishplate(Joint Bar), Baseplate, Rubber Pad, Rubber Crossing Plates, Screw Fasteners, Rail Clamps, Rail Anchors, Turnout, Wagons, and Railway Machines, etc.
As an Trade Assurance Member, it means you will get a 100% payment refund up to Trade Assurance Amount if we can't meet the agreed delivery and quality terms contained in the contract. It is a free service for both of us. Thus you can place an order with confidence. Our users include railroads construction, mining companies, heavy industries, overhead cranes, railroad and tunneling industries, transit authorities, subway, passenger railways, and operators of port facilities, etc. You are most welcome to contact us for more information.
