What is the size of a fishplate?
Jan 28, 2026
A rail fish plate is a joint stabilization device that compensates for the absence of continuous steel at rail connections, preventing localized stress concentration and excessive joint settlement. It ensures that structural behavior of the track remains consistent across joint locations. GNEE RAIL offers standard and customized fish plates for light rail, heavy rail, and crane rail systems, combined with rail supply, surface treatment, and quality control services.
What is the size of a fishplate?
Fishplates (or rail joints) vary in size based on the rail profile they join, generally measuring between 600mm to 1000mm in length for standard railway tracks. They are specifically designed to fit rail sizes ranging from 10kg to 60kg or more, with common dimensions like 305mm x 127mm x 38mm for specific, smaller applications.
Key characteristics regarding fishplate sizes include:
- Length: While 600mm-1000mm is standard for mainlines, they can be shorter, such as 406.4mm for specific rail types (60A, 70A, 75A).
- Thickness: Generally ranges from 6mm to 10mm for trailer/industrial use.
- Hole Diameter: Standard fish bolt holes are typically 18mm, 22mm, or 25mm depending on the gauge (NG, MG, BG).
| Standard | Type | Length/Diameter | Weight /Material | |
| AREMA 2007 | 115RE | 4 hole-24" | 17.04Kg | 45# chemical |
| 115RE | 6 hole-36" | 25.56Kg | composition(%): | |
| 132-136RE | 4 hole-24" | 17.75Kg | C: 0.42-0.50 | |
| 132-136RE | 6 hole-36" | 26.63Kg | Mn: 0.50-0.80 | |
| UIC864 | UIC60 | 4 hole-630/Φ26 | 18.07Kg | Si: 0.17-0.37 |
| UIC60 | 4 hole-600/Φ28 | 17.47Kg | Cr: ≤0.25 | |
| UIC60 | 4 hole-630/Φ25 | 18.1Kg | P: ≤0.035 | |
| UIC54 | 4 hole | 14.34Kg | S: ≤0.035 | |
| UIC54 | 6 hole-800 | 19.94Kg | ||
| BS 47-1 | BS75R | 4 hole | 6.56Kg | |
| BS60A | 4 hole | 5.61Kg | ||
| BS80A | 4 hole | 6.5Kg | ||
| BS90A | 685.8/Φ26 | 13.23Kg | 50# chemical | |
| BS90A | 792.9/Φ26.2 | 15.34Kg | composition(%): | |
| BS100A | 4 hole | C: 0.62-0.70 | ||
| 90/91LB | 4 hole | 18.08Kg | Mn: 0.50-0.80 | |
| 90/91LB | 6 hole | 19.9Kg | Si: 0.17-0.37 | |
| AS | 50kg | 4 hole | 14.3Kg | Cr: ≤0.25 |
| 50kg | 6 hole | 19.5Kg | P: ≤0.035 | |
| S49 | 4 hole | 9.71Kg | S: ≤0.035 | |
Types:
- Ordinary Fish Plate: Used for standard, continuous rail support.
- Combination Fish Plate: Used to connect two different rail sections.
- Cable Tray Fishplate: Smaller, often around 95mm to 295mm in width, used in electrical installations.
| Joint Type | Key Specification / Description |
|---|---|
| Standard Rail Joint (Fish Plate) | - Profile: Matches the rail section (e.g., UIC 60, 136RE). - Length: Typically 600mm or 800mm per side. - Holes: 4 or 6 bolt holes per bar. |
| Insulated Rail Joint (IRJ) | - Material: Steel core with composite insulating end-posts/plates, or full epoxy composite. - Electrical Resistance: >10⁸ Ω. |
| Compromise Rail Joint | - Design: Connects two different rail profiles (e.g., UIC 54 to UIC 60). - Profile: Each side is machined to match its respective rail section. |
| Joggled Rail Joint | - Feature: Has a depressed (joggled) section to allow continuous rail head surface for smoother wheel passage. |
| Bridge Rail Joint | - Design: Often reinforced (thicker web/longer length) for high-stress locations like bridge approaches. |
| Glued Insulated Joint | - Construction: Steel bars bonded to composite insulation using high-strength adhesive for improved durability. |
| Welded Rail Joint (for CWR) | - Type: Flash-butt or thermite weld. - Specification: Weld must meet mechanical properties equal to or greater than the parent rail. |
| Expansion Joint (for BRE) | - Feature: Allows controlled thermal expansion in long rails on bridges or in extreme temperature zones. |
Rail fishplates must match the specific profile of the rail, such as UIC60 or 60R, to ensure proper, secure fit.
What are the characteristics of a rail joint?
A rail joint connects two rail ends to ensure structural continuity, allowing for thermal expansion and contraction while maintaining gauge, level, and alignment. Key characteristics include high strength and stiffness comparable to the rails, flexibility for installation/maintenance, and the ability to minimize vertical/lateral movement to prevent wheel jumping.
Key Characteristics and Requirements:
- Expansion & Contraction: Accommodates temperature-induced changes in rail length to prevent buckling.
- Structural Strength: Designed to have the same strength and stiffness as the parent rail to prevent sagging.
- Alignment & Continuity: Maintains precise vertical and horizontal alignment to ensure smooth train movement.
- Components: Consists of two fish plates/joint bars bolted to the sides of the rail, usually featuring 4 or 6 holes.
- Wear Resistance: Built to handle high stress and resist wear at the rail ends.
- Support Types: Can be supported (on a sleeper), suspended (between sleepers), or bridge-type.
- Insulation: Insulated rail joints are used to separate track circuits.
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.
