What is fastening in railway?

What is fastening in railway?

 

Railway fastening is a critical component system used to secure running rails to sleepers (ties), baseplates, or other rail supports. These devices, including clips, spikes, bolts, and pads, ensure track stability, maintain proper gauge, and prevent lateral or longitudinal rail movement. They are essential for withstanding heavy loads, vibrations, and temperature-related stress, crucial for both safety and passenger comfort.

 

GNEE RAIL supplies complete rail fastening systems compatible with UIC, EN, DIN 536, AREMA/ASCE, BS, JIS, AS and GB rail standards, covering light rail, heavy rail, and crane rail applications, together with clips, pads, baseplates, bolts, and installation guidance.

 

Key Functions of Railway Fastening Systems

 

 

• Securing Rails: Fastens rails to sleepers to prevent slipping or deflection.

 

• Maintaining Gauge: Keeps the correct, consistent distance between the rails.

 

• Withstanding Loads: Distributes vertical, longitudinal, and lateral forces from passing trains.

 

• Providing Elasticity/Buffering: Absorbs noise, vibrations, and shock, protecting the track structure.

 

Common Types and Components of Rail fastening

 

 

Type / Component	Description & Purpose
Rail Clips	Flexible, elastic fasteners (e.g., E-clip, Pandrol clip) that provide clamping force.
Rail Anchors	Applied to the base of the rail to prevent longitudinal movement (creep).
Rail Spikes	Fasteners for securing rails, particularly on wooden sleepers (e.g., dog spikes, screw spikes).
Tie Plates / Baseplates	Plates placed between the rail and sleeper to distribute load and provide a secure base.
Rail Insulators / Pads	Used to isolate the rail electrically (for signaling) and reduce vibration, often used with concrete sleepers.

 

How to choose suitable rail elastic fasteners?

 

Choosing suitable rail elastic fasteners requires evaluating load requirements, environmental conditions, and rail infrastructure type. Key factors include selecting for high fatigue resistance and adequate clamping force, appropriate elasticity for vibration damping, corrosion-resistant material, and ease of installation, such as E-clips, SKL, or PR clips.

 

Key Considerations for Selection:

 

 

• Load and Speed Requirements: High-speed, heavy-haul, or passenger lines require fasteners with high fatigue strength and specific elasticity to handle intense vertical loads and prevent fatigue failure, such as the WJ-8 or WJ-7 systems.

 

• Environmental Factors: Coastal or high-humidity areas require superior corrosion resistance (hot-dip galvanization or specialized coatings).

 

Track Type:

 

 

• Ballastless Tracks: Often require specialized, elastic-separated fasteners (e.g., WJ-8) for higher vibration absorption.

 

• Ballasted Tracks: Common, versatile options include E-type clips (E1609, E2009) or SKL1/SKL3.

 

Performance Metrics:

 

• Clamping Force: Ensure the fastener provides enough pressure to hold the rail securely and prevent longitudinal movement.

 

• Vertical Stiffness: Proper elasticity is necessary to manage track vibration and reduce load transfer to the ballast.

 

• Installation and Maintenance: Choose designs that allow for easy installation, simple maintenance, and high durability to minimize long-term costs.

 

What should be noted when using Rail Fastener?

 

When using rail fasteners, it is critical to ensure sufficient clamping force 7.5 to 12.5kN per clip) to prevent longitudinal rail movement, maintain proper track gauge, and ensure electrical insulation. Key precautions include using consistent fastener models in the same section, ensuring accurate installation (tamping sleepers and tightening), regularly inspecting for wear, and maintaining proper insulation to prevent corrosion.

 

• Consistency: Use the same model of fastener within the same section to avoid uneven, mixed buckling pressures.

 

• Proper Placement: Before installation, sleepers should be properly tamped. The field side of the tie plate should be positioned correctly.

 

• Maintenance: When replacing fasteners, ensure new nuts are used, as reused, temporarily disassembled fasteners can result in lower fastening quality.

 

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.

 

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