What is the purpose of a fish plate in railway?
Dec 31, 2025
A fish plate, also referred to as a splice bar, is a crucial component in the railway industry tasked with joining two rail ends together. It is typically a flat, elongated piece of steel with bolt holes designed to fit onto the rail's web, aligning and securing adjacent sections. Manufactured for durability and robustness, fish plates are vital to maintaining the structural integrity of railway tracks. By ensuring seamless connections, these devices help to safeguard the rails against potential misalignments, thus facilitating a smoother and more stable ride for trains.
What is the purpose of a fish plate in railway?
A fish plate (or splice bar) in railways joins two rail ends, providing structural integrity, maintaining alignment, and ensuring smooth load transfer for trains, preventing derailments by keeping the track continuous and level. It distributes wheel loads across the joint, resists impact, and helps maintain proper gauge and vertical profile, crucial for safe and uninterrupted train passage.
Key Purposes:
- Joins Rails: Connects two separate rail sections end-to-end.
- Maintains Alignment: Keeps the running surface and gauge face of the rails precisely aligned and level.
- Transfers Load: Carries the weight and forces from train wheels from one rail to the next.
- Provides Strength: Resists impacts and prevents the rail joint from deflecting or spreading apart.
- Ensures Smoothness: Creates a continuous surface for wheels, allowing for a smoother, safer ride.
- Electrical Continuity (Sometimes): Insulated fish plates are used in electrified lines to maintain signaling integrity.
Types of rail fishplate
Rail fishplate is widely use in the transportation of light rail, heavy rail and crane rail.
- Light rail: 8kg, 9kg, 12kg, 15kg, 18kg, 22kg, 24kg and 30kg
- Heavy rail: 38kg, 43kg, 50kg and 60kg
- Crane rail: QU70, QU80, QU100 and QU120
| 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 |
Besides, there are so many various oversea railway fishplates: BS80A, BS80A, BS75R, UIC60 and UIC54 and UIC series, e.g.
Benefits of Using Fish Plates
The use of fish plates in railway tracks comes with numerous benefits. One of the primary advantages is the enhanced structural integrity they provide, ensuring that rail connections are secure and stable. This stability significantly reduces the chances of derailments caused by track misalignments. Additionally, fish plates facilitate the quick implementation and repair of rail joints, minimizing downtime and ensuring the continuous operation of rail services. The versatility of fish plates also allows for their use in different track sections and types, providing adaptability across various rail systems.
Finally, they help in maintaining electrical insulation in key sections of the track, which is essential for the safe and effective operation of rail signaling systems.
When it comes to sourcing railway fish plate, GNEE RAIL is always your reliable and trusted partner. Because we are:
- With over 60% market share in Chinese railway field for rail joints.
- A long-term supplier of CRCC for both domestic and overseas contracted rail projects in over 50 countries all over the world.
- Over 30 kinds of standard and non-standard fishplates can be customized for global buyers.
- Granted ISO9001-2000 certificate and with approved license from China's Railway Ministry to produce railway products.
- Consistent quality guaranteed by 16 strict quality testing steps.
