Dog Spikes Screw Spikes for Rail Fasteners System

A rail spike (or railroad spike) is a large, chisel-pointed, offset-headed metal nail used to secure railway tracks and base plates to wooden sleepers (ties). They maintain the track gauge, preventing horizontal and vertical movement, and are essential components of the railway fastening system.

Key Characteristics and Types:

• Dog Spike: Featuring an L-shaped head and a square shank, this is the most traditional type, typically used for fastening T-section rails to wooden ties.

• Screw Spike: Featuring a threaded shank, these are more commonly used in heavy-rail applications to provide greater holding power, often with concrete sleepers.

• Materials & Function: Made primarily of medium-carbon steel for strength, they are often hot-dip galvanized to resist corrosion.

Rail spikes are crucial for safety, as they keep the rail gauge consistent to prevent train derailments. They are commonly used on railways worldwide, especially on lighter rail tracks and wood-sleeper lines, while modern heavy-duty lines may utilize specialized screw spikes for better durability.

GNEE RAIL supply a wide range of sleeper screw spikes according to international standards.Some common types of the sleeper screw we're suppling all the time are as follows:

• Dog spikes: 5/8*6, 9/16*5-1/2", 3/8''*3-1/2", Other kinds

• SS sleeper screw spike: SS5, SS8, SS23, SS25, SS35, SS36

• 3v screw spike: V20-135, V23-115, V23-135, V23-155, V23-215, V26-115

• Double head screw spike: M23*174

• DHS35 screw spike: 24*158, 24*161

Download Specification Catalog

Railway spikes, including dog and screw types, are crucial fasteners with specifications tailored to wood or concrete sleepers. Common sizes are 5/8'' x 6'' and 9/16'' x 5 - 1/2'' (dog spikes) or M22–M24 (screw spikes). Materials include carbon steel (Q235, 45#, 55#) with high tensile strength (min. 120,000 psi).

Dog spikes (driven in with a hammer) and screw spikes (screwed in) differ primarily in installation method, holding power, and application. Dog spikes are smooth, L-shaped, and ideal for wooden ties, while screw spikes have threads, offering over twice the holding power for heavy-load, concrete sleepers.

Key Differences:

• Installation & Appearance: Dog spikes are hammered into wooden sleepers and have a smooth shank. Screw spikes (or sleeper screws) have threads on the surface and are rotated into place, often with a plastic dowel/sleeve for concrete ties.

• Holding Power: Screw spikes provide more than twice the holding power of dog spikes, offering superior stability for high-speed or heavy-haul railways.

• Application: Dog spikes are mainly used in light/medium-duty lines with wooden sleepers. Screw spikes are typically used on heavy-load lines and in concrete sleepers.

• Cost: Dog spikes are more economical to manufacture, while screw spikes are higher cost but offer lower maintenance costs over time.

• Shape: Dog spikes feature two lugs (looks like a dog's head). Screw spikes come in various heads, including square and hexagon.

Comparison Table:

A rail spike is a critical fastener used in railway track systems to anchor rails to sleepers (or ties), maintaining proper gauge and providing structural stability. They resist vertical, lateral, and longitudinal movement of the rails caused by train traffic, ensuring safe, consistent, and durable track alignment.

Key Roles of Rail Spikes:

• Securing Rails: They connect the rail base to wooden or concrete sleepers, providing a solid, stable foundation.

 

• Maintaining Gauge: Spikes hold the rails at the precise distance apart (gauge) necessary for safe train passage.

 

• Resisting Movement: They prevent lateral and vertical movement (longitudinal creep) of the rails.

 

• Stability Enhancement: They contribute to the overall strength and rigidity of the track panel.

While modern fastenings often use elastic clips, rail spikes remain a vital component for ensuring the stability of railroad tracks under heavy loads and varying environmental conditions.

• What are railway spikes?

Railway spikes (or track spikes) are large, high-carbon steel nails with offset heads, measuring roughly 165mm long, designed to fasten railway rails to wooden or concrete sleepers (ties). They maintain track gauge, stability, and secure positioning of the rail, crucially allowing for safe passage of trains by preventing lateral movement.

• What are the different types of railway spikes?

Railway spikes secure rails to sleepers, with the primary types being dog spikes and screw spikes. Dog spikes, often used on wooden ties, have a square shank and L-shaped head, while screw spikes offer superior holding power for high-speed or concrete applications. Other types include elastic spikes, spiral spikes, and lock spikes.

• What is a dog Spike?

A dog spike is a heavy-duty, L-shaped metal fastener used primarily to secure T-shaped railway tracks to wooden sleepers. It has a pointed, wedge-shaped tip and a head with two lugs that resemble a dog's head, which helps with removal. These spikes maintain rail gauge and are frequently used in railway construction.

• What are dog spikes for rail sleepers?

Dog spikes (or cut track spikes) are large, specialized carbon steel nails with a square shank and a distinct head with two lugs, designed to fasten T-shaped rails directly to wooden sleepers. They are essential for maintaining track gauge and stability, particularly in railway fastening systems that use tie plates to distribute pressure.

• What is the use of dog spike?

A dog spike (or cut track spike) is a large, L-shaped, square-shanked nail used primarily to fasten T-section railway rails to wooden sleepers. They are essential for securing the track gauge, offering a cost-effective and simple fastening solution for light rail, industrial tracks, and traditional timber-sleepered rail systems.

• What is a screw spike?

A screw spike, also known as a rail screw or sleeper screw, is a large, heavy-duty metal fastener with a threaded shank used to secure railway rails and tie plates to wooden or concrete sleepers (ties). They offer superior holding power and higher resistance to loosening compared to traditional dog spikes, often installed with pre-drilled holes, sometimes alongside plastic dowels to improve longevity.

• What are the different types of screw spikes in railway?

Railway screw spikes (or rail screws) are threaded fasteners used to secure rails and tie plates to sleepers, offering higher fastening power than dog spikes, especially on concrete sleepers. The main types include Ss series sleeper screws, square head screw spikes, hexagon screw spikes, and double-head screw spikes, with materials typically being high-strength carbon or stainless steel.

Contact now

GNEE RAIL's spikes are manufactured from traceable steel (Q235 to 35CrMo), with each batch passing mandatory tensile and pull-out resistance tests in our ISO-certified lab. We manage the entire process in-house, ensuring exact dimensional tolerances for standard AREMA dog spikes or high-grade HDG screw spikes. Please submit your technical drawings (CAD/PDF), material grade, and required quantities. Our engineers will review your specifications and provide a precise, itemized quotation within 12 hours.

Hot Tags: Dog Spikes Screw Spikes for Rail Fasteners System, China Dog Spikes Screw Spikes for Rail Fasteners System manufacturers, suppliers, factory, Dog Spike, Q235B spike, railay fixing, Railroad Fasteners, Screw Spikes, Ss series spike